We're generally agreed that AI is changing our world. Electronics taking over for people.
I'd like to explore this subject on a bit by bit basis, without too much comedy, and more about expanding the horizons of what we may be facing in the next 20 years.
That said, a recent thread explored farming in the US and the interaction with China. I'd like to dig deeper, and for beginners, just talk about farming in the US, and more particularly the small farmer, apparently on the way out, not just because of soybeans and corn, but because of the economics of scale, and the eventual takeover of small farms by conglomerates. Not just the farmer and his wife, but the year round and seasonal employees. If you're a farmer, you'll understand. Sophisticated (expensive) equipment that the small farmer can't afford, is used over not just hundreds of acres, but thousands, and tens of thousands of acres. While the small farmer may spend $50,000 for a piece of equipment, look at the prices of much larger equipment, that may be used ... not for just a few weeks, but for many months... going from field to field. (note that the prices are in pounds... add about 12% for US dollars. )
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/6-of-the-most-expensive-farm-machines-on-show-at-ploughing-2016/
You may use your own imagination to predict what will happen to small farmers... their employees, and the economy that surrounds that part of our nation.
Just a tiny, tiny part of what may be coming in our new economy. Hopefully just on attempt at an overview of what most of you will be facing. Your observations of what other major changes may be waiting, but are not yet on our radar.
Oh!... and one other question that I wonder about. Will other "jobs" fill in the ones eliminated by technology?
I'd like to explore this subject on a bit by bit basis, without too much comedy, and more about expanding the horizons of what we may be facing in the next 20 years.
That said, a recent thread explored farming in the US and the interaction with China. I'd like to dig deeper, and for beginners, just talk about farming in the US, and more particularly the small farmer, apparently on the way out, not just because of soybeans and corn, but because of the economics of scale, and the eventual takeover of small farms by conglomerates. Not just the farmer and his wife, but the year round and seasonal employees. If you're a farmer, you'll understand. Sophisticated (expensive) equipment that the small farmer can't afford, is used over not just hundreds of acres, but thousands, and tens of thousands of acres. While the small farmer may spend $50,000 for a piece of equipment, look at the prices of much larger equipment, that may be used ... not for just a few weeks, but for many months... going from field to field. (note that the prices are in pounds... add about 12% for US dollars. )
https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/6-of-the-most-expensive-farm-machines-on-show-at-ploughing-2016/
You may use your own imagination to predict what will happen to small farmers... their employees, and the economy that surrounds that part of our nation.
Just a tiny, tiny part of what may be coming in our new economy. Hopefully just on attempt at an overview of what most of you will be facing. Your observations of what other major changes may be waiting, but are not yet on our radar.
Oh!... and one other question that I wonder about. Will other "jobs" fill in the ones eliminated by technology?
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