[rmc]

Yes those jobs are shitty, but they are better than 200/500 years ago.

(a) There are more labour laws now. You don't have to work as much. No more shoveling shit for 10 hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week. (b) There are health and safety laws now, if you were to shovel shit now, you'd have to have a mask etc. (c) There are more labour laws now, so that the employer has to provide tools and training. No more "shovel shit for 10 hours, you have to bring your own shovel, oh you're shovel got broken, you're out of a job" (d) There is more of a safety net. No more shovel shit for 10 hours, oh you broke your hand? Hope you can live without food until it heals. etc.

Those jobs suck, yes. But ask anyone doing them if they think mediæval shit shoveling is just as good (or better), and they'll say no.

[king_jester]

The present of labor laws does not mean that everyone has access to union work or that those laws are enforced in some situations. The same goes for health and safety regulations. There are plenty of jobs where you buy your own work equipment (I've had them). Also, the most economically disadvantaged work more than 1 job, so saying that people don't work 10+ or 6 or 7 days is not accurate.

The bottom line is that those at the top have always exploited technological advance for themselves while leaving others behind. This is a primary function of capitalism throughout history. That some conditions may have been worse in the past means nothing while economic oppression continues right now.