The Luddite Hypothesis

We all know that the Luddites smashed mechanical looms to save their craft based jobs. We also know that they failed to stop weaving automation, but did in fact witness a compensatory growth in employment as many other industries sprang up around the country. Fueled by cheap labour and vast natural resources in the colonies, Britain became the richest country in the world by 1850.

But things do indeed change.

These days we are 2.8 trillion pounds in sovereign debt and we have long since been undercut by the cheap labour and vast natural resources elsewhere. Employment has shifted to services, which (with the exception of international financial services) have largely spent money, rather than earnt it. Now these employers are in the economic cross hairs, as government loans become more expensive, workers opt out and tax revenue falls. Only service cuts or delusional ideas of economic growth can save the day.

Except for AI.

Perhaps we can remain afloat by providing all our basic needs with hyper efficient computer technology and obliging robots?

But what will the population do with themselves then? Talk a lot, watch sport, quizz shows, sink into gaming addiction, worry, contrive artificial 'challenges', get fat.

Sounds wonderful!

Could, perhaps, the Luddites be right in the end? Is it time to say...

STOP.