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A comment on The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China, It’s Automation. Parent comment

Re:The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China, It’s Automation by smallnamespace on Thursday December 22, 2016 @02:25AM (#13235543)
Even if everyone has their own replicator, the competition shifts to who controls raw materials, and who controls energy.

Fresh water, for example, is a scarce (and becoming scarcer) resource, and it's impossible to farm or live without it.

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Re:The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China, It’s Automation by klodolph on Thursday December 22, 2016 @04:19AM (#13236017)
Yes, although I'm not convinced that fresh water is going to be such a scarce resource in the future. There are a few "outs" on the horizon—besides changing our diet, the possibilities for desalinization, or things like lab-grown meats, may change our relationship with water. Just as long as population growth slows enough…

Agree with the comment about ownership. As technology has improved, more and more power has been going to whoever owns the capital.

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Re:The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China, It’s Automation by smallnamespace on Thursday December 22, 2016 @05:06PM (#13240793)
Fresh water is not a problem given unlimited energy since desalination works well.

The problem is that energy is expensive, and fresh water shortages will be worst in countries that are poor and can't afford these plants.

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Re:The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China, It’s Automation by visarga on Thursday December 22, 2016 @03:49AM (#13235900)
I agree. That's why capitalists owning automation should pay UBI - because they get to use raw materials.
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Re:The Long-Term Jobs Killer Is Not China, It’s Automation by flowersoldier on Thursday December 22, 2016 @05:41PM (#13241048)
Whisky is for Drinking. Water is for Fighting. -Mark Twain
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