Discussion: Technological Unemployment

Technological Unemployment

Technological unemployment is a term used to describe the lack or loss of jobs due to technological changes or innovations. This type of unemployment typically comes from workers either being replaced by machines or having their jobs made easier and require fewer workers to accomplish the same task.

This three-part activity includes a short reading, video, and the discussion.

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Read

Select one of the following resources and read

• What Is Technological Unemployment? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. 
• How Technology is Eliminating Higher-Skill Jobs (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• When Machines Do Your Job (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• Widescale Technological/Structural Unemployment Inevitable In Coming Decades (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• Would 0% Unemployment Be a Good Thing? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• Theory of Full Employment (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
• Does More Technology Create More Unemployment? (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Watch

Watch this video showing the real lives affected by technological unemployment. Take notes in preparation for the discussion.

The Reality of Technological Unemployment (37:08) 

Post

Post a thoughtful critique of the video addressing the following:

• Overall impression of the video.
• What was the most surprising fact/issue in the video?
• Does this video depict a realistic picture?
• Is it biased or unbiased in its presentation?
• Does it seem like there is a political or social agenda being pushed?