Booted out by a robot

Is automation making our jobs easier or is it easing us out of our jobs? The argument continues…

AD: What's that you're reading?

BC: It's about the ill-effects of technology on mankind...

AD: I'm not surprised. How on earth do you manage to pick out such articles like a...

BC: ...needle out of a haystack?

AD: I don't know about that, but I'm sure that you will use it to needle me. So what's the rant about this time?

BC: Does automation really result in job cuts?

AD: It’s a common fear shared by employees the world over that one day, they would be replaced by a computer or a robot...

BC: I've read some articles which say that by 2016, over 750,000 jobs will be lost in the US… And most of it could be blamed on automation.

AD: Can you imagine robots sitting in cubicles and playing solitaire on their computers?

BC: I'm sure that those who have lost their jobs don't find it funny...

AD: But how are you so sure that automation is taking away these jobs? It could also be a result of outsourcing…

BC: I recall seeing an article published in 1961 that talked about labour unions blaming automation and technology for the high unemployment rates that they were facing at that time.

AD: But then, people opposed the industrial revolution for similar reasons, centuries ago…

BC: In fact, a new phrase was coined in the 1930s to describe this phenomenon - technological unemployment.

AD: But automation has amazing benefits, beyond the usual efficiency and speed of response advantages that we talk about. For instance, robots are used for intricate surgeries...

BC: It'll ensure greater accuracy...

AD: ...and also minimise chances of infection because of the absence of human intervention. This would result in more lives saved.

BC: But I don't see technology replacing people in the service sector. It's probably one field where automation has to stay in the back-office because people are more comfortable dealing with a human interface.

AD: Imagine having a robot serve you coffee when you order room service.

BC: Well, at least it won't spit in your coffee if you're mean to it.

AD: I make my own tea, thank you. Unfortunately, industries like retail are affected in more ways than one... While the entry of electronic scanners, computerized check-out facilities and vending machines has reduced the need for manpower, online shopping...

BC: ...has made physical stores redundant.

AD: Right. Apparently, an American company has invented a textspresso machine that helps you order your cup of coffee even as you're on your way to the coffee shop. So your order will be waiting for you, nice and hot, when you get there.

BC: Even sectors like agriculture, accounting, education, manufacturing and banking have had several layoffs because of technology...

AD: You’re talking about people being displaced, but today, sitting in front of a web camera, one teacher can reach – and teach – thousands of students across the globe…

BC: Talking of reaching places, imagine calling a cab service in the future - an automated voice takes down your request, a software package sends you a confirmation to your mobile and finally an robotic car that drives itself comes to your doorstep...

AD: With projects like Google's driverless car, that day may not be too far away...

BC: But Google's car might bring other advantages that a normal car possibly can't.

AD: Like what?

BC: It will probably be fitted with two engines - a fuel engine to power the vehicle and a search engine to find your location.

Barking at the moon

Technology has evolved enough to send animals into space, but not to ensure their safety, laments an old-timer.

AD: What would you say if I told you that a primate is on the verge of triggering a missile war?

BC: I would ask you to stop monkeying around...

AD: News has it that Iran has launched a monkey into space...

BC: So what does the poor monkey have to do with launching missiles?

AD: There are concerns that the technology used for this mission could also be used to develop and launch long-range ballistic missiles across continents, though Iran has categorically rejected this military connotation to its space program...

BC: Well, technology can launch missiles and start wars, but why drag a poor monkey into the fracas?

AD: Lab rats, guinea pigs, test animals – take your pick. Unfortunately, these unsuspecting ‘subjects’ are sent ahead to step on the figurative landmines in space so that humans can have a safe passage thereafter...

BC: But how can an animal...

AD: It could be for various reasons - like checking the heat resistant capacity of the shields provided in the shuttle, for instance. If an animal can survive the extreme heat produced by the insane speeds and the conditions that exist miles above earth, then it could be deemed safe for humans.

BC: But what of the poor animals?

AD: According to reports, the monkey sent up by Iran did come back alive, but several animals that were sent into space did not.

BC: Sounds pretty cruel. If technology has taken all those giant leaps that we talk about, then surely something ought to be done to safeguard the lives of these animals... Some of them probably die out of sheer fear as they don't understand what is going on around them...

AD: They are trained for their expedition, in terms of being in zero gravity conditions or eating specific kinds of foods. In some cases, chimpanzees were even taught to interact with the spacecraft by pulling levers for specific purposes.

BC: But then, they didn't volunteer for the mission, did they? Their families wouldn't exactly be crowding around television sets to watch their hero in action...

AD: No, they didn't, but several billionaires have. Guess some of them regard this as a high adrenaline adventure sport that few can dream of and fewer still can afford.

BC: I know, I read about Dennis Tito being the world's first space tourist around a decade ago. 2001, was it?

AD: That's right, and six others have made it to space and back after him.

BC: But what of the animals that didn't make it?

AD: Laika, the first animal in orbit, didn't survive – but her fate was known even before the mission began as technology hadn't evolved enough to ensure a safe passage back to earth in the ‘50s. A whole series of ‘Albert missions’ also failed, where monkeys named Albert perished during various stages of the mission. However, Sam, Miss Sam and Ham made it back...

BC: Sam, Ham... Part of a naming convention?

AD: They’re acronyms - Sam stood for School of Aviation Medicine, while Ham represented Holloman Aero Med...

BC: If technology can send life forms into space, surely it should be able to create robots that could simulate these animals and send them instead...

AD: Maybe technology hasn't reached that point in its evolution. Or perhaps human lives have always been considered more precious than other life forms on earth.

BC: Well, at least the various incidents of animals being sent into space have helped clear up the mystery of why dogs bark at the moon…

AD: I’m waiting…

BC: Because they've spotted the rabbit up there, of course!