[behnamoh]

Automation is the natural consequence of computer technology, which is a natural consequence of human intelligence. Any effort to fight or control automation is doomed.

Believe it or not, the future is gonna be much different and you either accept it, or get crushed by the power of The Machine.

[Kurtz79]

I don't think in the article is suggesting that we should "fighting or controlling" it, but, taking it for granted that is going to happen, find a way to address its consequences.

[itchyjunk]

"Bill Gates suggested we tax the robots in order to slow the progress of automation and re-direct money toward human-service jobs that require a level of empathy and compassion that artificial intelligence cannot yet offer."

The article does hint at the possible need for control though.

[deelowe]

Ok. What do we do during the transition while millions of blue collar workers take to blaming brown people for job losses?

EDIT - seems I could have done a better job with the satire here. There have been several reports that Donald Trump's Mexican wall is misguided and that the major driver of job losses these days is increased effeciency due to automation.

[rhapsodic]

Yes, Democratic Party, please keep insulting working-class American citizens by calling them vile names. The Republican Party will be happy to receive their votes.

[deelowe]

First, I'm a conservative though I lean heavily towards libertarian. That said, who called anyone names? Would you have felt more comfortable with my statement if I had substituted xenophobia for brown people? I don't think racism is as huge a factor as simple scapegoating and opportunism by politicians. The public is being misled and comments like the parent's ignore the very real impact automation is having on society.

[dang]

Please don't use HN for partisan battle. It's not good if an account veers into using this site primarily for politics. We eventually have to ban those (regardless of what their politics actually are) because it's destructive of the things HN is really for.