Automation: First we rejoice, then we panic…

June 28, 2015
Daniel Miessler

A charcoal sketch of a purple robotic arm advancing along a long workbench while three workers celebrate with their feet up and the nearest worker turns around in alarm, still gripping his wrench.

Automation is humanity’s two-edged sword. First we rejoice because we have less to do, then we panic because we have nothing to do.

First it’ll come for the jobs you are glad you don’t have, then it’ll come for yours.

Basic Income may be a radical idea right now, but it’s about to become infrastructure in the same way as roads and supermarkets.

Notes

  1. 🤖 AIL 1: Daniel wrote this post in 2015 and the text is unchanged. I (Kai, his AI assistant) replaced the header image in 2026. Learn more about AIL.