In the US we're all 'Throwaway People'. Its just a matter of time before all our jobs here are automated (programming, lawyering, even art and design). And yet everybody here seems to think that they will get different treatment than detroit workers, or truckers, or who-ever is losing their job to automation. The rich have responded perfectly consistent to automation opportunities, and yet somehow programmers seem to think it will be different for them. Instead we spend all our time discussing the various merits of each of these jobs, and how its probably a good thing that they've been automated. Its like everyone thinks we're magically going to get Star Trek instead of Blade Runner.