I remember when automation was supposed to bring us the 32 hour work week.
In some regards, it probably has. I write code that automates "testing/validating" software. So I write code to pass data around, and also to navigate web applications, clicking mouse buttons and typing inputs without actually typing it. Well of course I need to command the "test scripts" to do this with code, but yeah I am engineering test automation. I figure, you will ALWAYS need a cog to test something so that it works halfway decent before someone else gets to use it.
I haven't really worked a full 40 hour week in years. I am "available" during a 40 hour work week, but I rarely am sitting at my desk, actively engaged for that many hours. I don't know if I ever have been and I've been at it for 15 yrs. On Friday's its like why bother even signing on. Nobody is working much. Our work gave us the option to do 4 day work weeks which would have been 4 ten hour days, but nobody on my team decided to take the company up on the offer...probably because like I mentioned we hardly work much on Friday's as it is.
I've run to appointments, met up with friends for lunch, went out to lunch with my wife, dealt with personal matters and family affairs..all while on the clock. I still keep getting good raises, and plenty of job offers.
I wonder what a world without human "service" would be like. Nobody to check you into a hotel, nobody to take your order, nobody to talk to while you get your haircut, or to say "thanks for shopping with us". Theoretically MOST service oriented jobs could be automated with AI and robots.
Think the self-checkout lanes, McDonalds and Taco Bell Have them, Wal-mart, and your grocer all have them setup, CVS as well. It's only a matter of time before you probably won't even need to go to a store anymore. Maybe in 20 yrs or so. Everything will be e-commerce. But does that mean the campgrounds will start over flowing now that we all are on perma-vacation, galivanting around to beautiful places??