[fiblye]

Even assuming we end up with some society where robots do most of the labor and universal basic income becomes a thing, what do you think 90% of people will do? People need to be occupied, and the typical person isn't an inventor or artist. Furthermore, good luck making kids want to go to school when they see it as pointless since they can just get everything free from the robots while they watch TV. If you think obesity and our sedentary lifestyles are a danger now, it's only just starting.

We're in for some huge problems as automation ramps up. The people saying "this is good" now will be screaming to go back once the problems start rolling in.

[marcosdumay]

Well, I think you give people too little credit. Nobody can stand passively watching TV the entire day every day of their lives.

But even if you aren't, why would it bother you? If other people want to waste their lives on a coach in front of the TV, what makes this wrong?

[sharemywin]

Assume that the one thing you do best for a job AI/computers come out and do better. How do you recover from that. Especially, if said AI owners decide you only get a barely livable stipend while they keep most of the profits.

[marcosdumay]

Is it worthless (for you) doing just because a computer can do it better? If so, you may need to look for a better hobby... because after computers start doing everything better than we, all we do will be hobbies, not work.

[pbhjpbhj]

Exactly, you have to rely on the "charity" of the Capitalists, which is going to be the worst gamble anyone made since the last time we tried to assume humans wouldn't be greedy and grab all the resources and power for themselves.

These couch dwellers, what are they going to do to protest? They can't strike; if they're completely sedentary then they probably can't even protest without having a heart attack; cut off their VR or sugar-pump for 5 minutes and you can probably get any sort of compliance you want.

Our only hope is that the great rolling balls of flab that develop from these sedentary couch-dwellers who exist only to consume HFCS mixed with palm-oil in a satisfying soup of flavourings, and consume the latest immersive media, can't procreate and the problem sorts itself out. Though I fear we'll be using artificial wombs and the like and so manage to remove any reproductive pressure that might push our race back on course.

[sukilot]

> Nobody can stand passively watching TV the entire day every day of their lives.

People keep saying this but directly contradicts the observed experience of the vast majority of people.

[fiblye]

Coming from a rural area where all the farm jobs went away and half the people are unemployed: they very well can, and do.

There are three main hobbies in my hometown: drinking, heroin, and TV. things haven't changed a bit there in 20 years because nobody cares to change anything.

[TorKlingberg]

I think the current theory is: play video games.

[jam4peaches]

you mean you're not watching the [actual] matrix all day already? [neo, is that really you?]

[jam4peaches]

and NOBODY watches porn anymore...