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As Robots Eat Our Jobs, Fed Should 'Drop the Money From Helicopters,' Says Bill Gross (janus.com)

As technology continues to change the world -- and kill many jobs -- it may soon change the very nature of what is considered work, said Bill Gross, a renowned American financial manager in his recently released investment outlook. Gross says that in a year or so we will need to start guaranteeing income for everyone. Gross, added that the current crop of national leaders is hopelessly behind the curve, leaving it to central bankers to fix the mess. "Our economy has changed, but voters and their elected representatives don't seem to know what's really wrong," he writes. "They shout: (1) build a wall, (2) balance the budget, (3) foot the bill for college, or (4) make free trade less free. "That will fix it" they discordantly proclaim, and after November's election some unlucky soul may do one or more of the above in an effort to make things better. Similar battles are being fought everywhere." The Sydney Morning Herald reports: Central bank "helicopter money" will avoid a long recession that looms as millions of millennials face losing their jobs to robot technology, Gross says. In news that is sure to depress anyone under the age of 30, Gross says that while presidential hopefuls in the US spout mantras about how they are going to spur growth, none are addressing the reality of the future: that robots and technology are going to render "millions" of jobs redundant. "Virtually every industry in existence is likely to become less labour-intensive in future years as new technology is assimilated into existing business models," Gross writes. Transport is a visible example of this transition and millions of truck and taxi drivers will be out of a job in the next 10 to 15 years due to driverless vehicles, he says. "We should spend money where it's needed most -- our collapsing infrastructure for instance, health care for an aging generation and perhaps on a revolutionary new idea called UBI -- Universal Basic Income."

5 of 372 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah, Everyone Under Thirty by Greyfox · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hooray! I'm in my mid 40's and if I'm lucky I'll die of ass cancer in the next 5-10 years! Sucks to be the millenials, their future is much less bright!

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    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?

  2. What about unemployed robots? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    What will happen to all the robots producing fluorescent lights that will lose their jobs once all the other industries are taken over by robots that can work in the dark? How will they afford hydrolic fluid replacements and filter cleanings?

  3. Re:Uh uh by rmdingler · · Score: 2, Funny
    Wow... critical of the Americans. That has got to be the most original viewpoint I've ever read on /..

    Tell you what: capitalize Americans next time you post, or we'll come over there and depose your tyrant head of state.

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    Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

    Ernest Hemingway

  4. Re:Uh uh by korgitser · · Score: 5, Funny

    To give a dollar for a homeless guy? Preposterous. If America ever taught me anything, it's that helping thy neighbor is socialism and God hates you for that.

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    FCKGW 09F9 42
  5. Re:I've been asking my peers...... by goose-incarnated · · Score: 3, Funny

    everybody realizes that the only things scarce enough to merit payment anymore are time and human companionship?

    So the very first profession will also be the very last one too?

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    I'm a minority race. Save your vitriol for white people.