Can society handle It's inevtable advancement?

Let's just say for a moment, in the future we manage to put aside our differences. We get through the next few years without blowing ourselves into a nuclear iceage. New tech manages to suffice our ever increasing energy needs, and sustainable farming practices make fresh food readily available for everyone. Sounds like a dream doesn't it?

As we can already see in manufacturing, the more and more advanced our tech gets, the less and less it is neccesary to have a living individual perform the same task. Robotics and computers are rapidly taking over the majority our remedial tasks for us. Even the soon to be released google car will make driving very quickly a thing of the past. All this advancement is great for us on one hand, but what of the implications it will have on our society?

At some point there will have to be a crossroads in the minds of man. Once the majority of jobs have become automated, what becomes of the workforce it replaces?

Its a great dream to think about everyone being able to go about their day, never having to work a day in their life because the tech does the work for us...but how does a society cope with the drastic change?

How many people loose their jobs before our current global currency model no longer works?

Once it no longer works due to loss of available work, what model do we put into effect to replace it?

Will it be a merit based system where your worth is what you contribute? Or will we simply let unemployment skyrocket, and put the masses into poverty fighting over the few remaining jobs? Those lucky to work become slaves to corporations for pennies, because pennies are better than none?

It all sounds like something out of a pipe dream, but these are things coming on faster than we may think. We are already starting to see the effects of technology in our workplaces. The bank teller replace with an atm, the grocerystore clerk replaced with self-checkout... not to mention ever noticed how there's no such thing as a real person on a customer service line anymore?

All automated...

Now I know the first argument this will likely raise is "technology will never take away all our jobs, there will always be things only a real person can do!"

While this is certainly true, it only holds true for a very small portion of our workforce...all the rest is very rapidly being converted!

So what is the solution?

How do we transition from where we are now to a tech driven society while still keeping reasonable standard of living for everyone here?

Originally posted by mutatismutandis
Now I know the first argument this will likely raise is "technology will never take away all our jobs, there will always be things only a real person can do!"

While this is certainly true, it only holds true for a very small portion of our workforce...all the rest is very rapidly being converted!

That statement is false. The thought is based only upon one system of automation or product. As there are billions of us around the world, there are billions of systems and automation, with one aim - to advance mankind.

Consider past and present tech of a simple kettle - are you happy with it? Can it be futher improve upon? From a tinpot to today's hi tech self heating utility - do you think it is the end of the road for that humble tin pot? To do so would be akin to IBM's infamous phrase that there is no way personal computers can be created. They ate the humble pie in a mere 30 years later, and today, we have computers the size of a palm.

Never underestimate the minds of mankind. The only limits are those we self-impose upon ourselves, or condition by seflish utilitarian societies or groups hell bent on stopping our progress and destiny.

Think of the humble tin pot. It is just one product. There are billions if not trillions of things around the world that can do with improvements to better our lives, from the size of a screw to a mamoth space travelling vessel. And that will create jobs of the future, based upon firstly needs by the masses, upgrade of lifestyle by the middle classes and the luxurious goods as rewards for the conscionably rich.

Economics wise - with more goods produced through tech at all levels and sold - bio to cybernetics, it will translate higher economic growth,with more money being circulated and printed,enriching all along the way, generating further population growth and further intellectual diversity, with more teachers, doctors, security,etc being increased, more jobs created to meet increasing population needs, and overtime, our expansion into the vast Universe, either by fuel or elemental energies to bridge the distances to seed life and mankind ever outward.

Think exponential, not liner, when in the realm of man's fuzzy logic. Science and maths alone can never predict our course, but as long as we remain responsible with our creations, to advance mankind and not to destroy it.

Originally posted by mutatismutandis
How do we transition from where we are now to a tech driven society while still keeping reasonable standard of living for everyone here?

It sounds like a logistical nightmare. Not every culture is tech driven, and wouldn't benefit from such a society. Alternatively, this society wouldn't benefit from the less technically driven cultures; it seems a conflict would be inevitable.

In my opinion, the only way a completely technology driven society could survive is if the human body was eliminated, and everyone somehow lived digitally. Otherwise, the body would eventually rebel against its meager existence by weakening the human race on an evolutionary scale or by dying.