When technology takes the fun out of your job

When technology takes the fun out of your job

If you need to pinch your pennies, robots are a lifesaver. Automate a task and the savings roll in.

Of course, there’s a catch. Much recent discussion has focused on the fear of technology killing jobs. David A. Mindell, author of the new book “Our Robots, Ourselves: Robotics and the Myths of Autonomy,” sees things differently. He writes that it’s a myth that technology naturally evolves to fully autonomous robots, leaving humans on the sideline. Machines don’t take over human jobs, one for one, Mindell says.

“The most advanced (and difficult) technologies are not those that stand apart from people, but those that are most deeply embedded in, and responsive to, human and social networks,” Mindell writes.

Mindell, an MIT professor who draws on years of experience in undersea robotics exploration, shares the stories of commercial pilots, deep sea and space explorers as well as Predator drone pilots, all of whom have seen automation change their work.

Their jobs still exist — and machines adds to how much they can accomplish — but some of the glamour and fun of a job can disappear.

Mindell, an MIT professor who draws on years of experience in undersea robotics exploration, shares the stories of commercial pilots, deep sea and space explorers as well as Predator drone pilots, all of whom have seen automation change their work.

Their jobs still exist — and machines adds to how much they can accomplish — but some of the glamour and fun of a job can disappear.

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