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by sddfd 3217 days ago
> That kind of runaway automation that could pay for this kind of a party isn't close

Automation is already here, and has been for a long time. The whole point of the industrial revolution is about automation: Machines that support or replace human workforce.

The explosion in availability of computing power in the last two decades put automation into overdrive, and I don't see it slowing down.

Meanwhile, the gains of automation do not directly translate in inproved wealth for all members of society.

For example, if a company replaces 50% of its workforce with machines, they might make more money because they save on salaries, but effectively worsen the situation for the pensions of the layed off people.