Quote:
Originally posted by NetRodent
This seems more like an argument for sterilization and population control than for socialism.
Of course you're overlooking another side effect of machines doing the majority of grunt work, prices on goods and some services will fall. Also, you seem to assume that only the rich will own the "means of production" ie the robots. However, how much will a robot cost that is built by other robots, out of raw materials harvested by other robots, powered by energy coming from plants built and run by robots, etc.
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This actually isn't an argument for socialism. Frankly, I don't like the idea of socialism... I prefer people working themselves.
While prices on goods and some services will fall, the standard of luxury will most likely make up for that.
I don't assume only the rich will own robots... I think almost everyone in western countries will own them. I don't think many people will still be vacuuming by hand in 60 years
Ofcourse, the large industrial machines will only be owned by the companies that have a real use for them, but that goes without saying.
Individuals owning machines, though, only means these individuals will have to spend less time cleaning the house, making dinner, doing grocery-shopping, etc. It doesn't mean these individuals will also get jobs.