Men vs The Machine

Remember all those movies in which Robots are created by the government only to protect people, but then they become so intelligent, that they turn against us? Well, the creators of those movies maybe have a better vision of what might actually happen in the future. A bit of a more aggressive vision, but not so far from the truth though, because believe it or not, we are kinda living it today. And I don't mean robots going round New York City wildly attacking people or trying to extinguish humanity. No, the actual problem that we live today is that robots are replacing workers every day more and more.

I'll give you a couple of examples:

Amazon. in their storehouses, where they used to hire so many employees, now there are these quite smart robots doing their jobs instead. I mean, this is a very great deal for the company: robots work 24 hours a day without complaining, they don't have to deal with hiring people, they don't have to deal with workers wanting to sue them, and they don't have to pay salaries. I personally think that this is a great idea and I agree with the use of technology to make things better, but what happens with the workers? We'll talk about that in a bit.

Amazon again. Right this moment in San Francisco, they are starting to test something called "Amazon Prime Air". Its a system that delivers your purchase to your house through drones. Very shortly, they'll be flying all United States for delivers instead of a person, like it is right now. Of course, once other companies realize the benefits in this, they're gonna start doing the same sooner or later. Well, I wonder whats gonna happen with the delivery people.

Apple. Many know the problems that this company has faced for having people in China working over hours every time that they have a launching date. Everyone also knows that almost everything is Made in China, precisely because of the massive population, the wages are ridiculously low. What an advantage for companies from other countries who wouldn't have half their profits if they had to hire people in their own countries. Anyways, not so long ago I saw Apple's Mac Pro advertisement video. I believe its their only product Made in Usa, but it doesn't mean that they have hired loads of employees. They do have their scientists and engineers of course, but mostly the Mac Pro is made by robots. Again, humans are substituted. I know that its pretty amazing what they can do, and nowadays there's an incredible amount of industries that work basically with machines, but I have the feeling that if Apple is starting to do this with one product, whats gonna stop them to do so with all of them? Its still ok, but what happens when all other companies just start replacing people with robots? Nowadays there are only a few companies that could afford this, but technology becomes more affordable with time. So where does that leave us?

Just like these companies I mentioned, many others are starting or have already started the same path. In fact, on a daily basis we can see this happening around us. We might not see robots, but we do see machines doing the job that a human used to do. Like when you pay in the parking lot, for example. This machine can perfectly do what a person could: receive money, take your ticket, etc. There must be hundreds of other examples like this one. Every day we become more and more perfectly replaceable.

It's difficult to tell if one agrees with it. I, for example, like technology. Not in a "i'm obsessed with it way", just in a "i like it"way. I think its wonderful the things that humans have created in so little time. If it wasn't because of technology, we wouldn't be able to travel from one place to another in a matter of hours, or I wouldn't be sitting writing on this laptop. I'm not even saying that I don't want things to progress, its just I cant help but being against the fact that, apart from the fact that some countries are only overcoming the recession, which created loads of unemployment, now we have to face with industries also firing employers over some machine. Yes, its confortable and a great deal for the people with companies, but doesn't it mess with the order of things? It's frightening to even think where this could go. And yes, some unemployed must have marched to another company, but soon enough they'll be replaced as well. Some other lucky ones, maybe started their own business or even found a better job, but thats only a few. Some people will make it, and others wont. 

Someone recently told me what he thought about this and left me thinking. His believe is that companies are using robots in order for the employees to be motivated to become engineers or aim higher. Ok, I think thats cool. But on the other hand, what happens if these thousands of people start becoming engineers? Companies can only hire a few, not hundreds. Also, people who study more are supposed to get better wages. Or at least thats how its supposed to work, right? Ok, but what happens if the demand of engineers in the world is too high? The wages lower, of course. And what would you have to do to be better than those other thousands? You have to pay masters or phds or whatever, and we all know that they can be pretty expensive. And that only to gain a shitty wage? I mean, we already live in a competitive world where what I just talked about is already happening, and its only getting worse. It's a bloody jungle out there.

Fortunately, some countries are taking these matters at hand implementing laws in which its ilegal to have a certain percentage or amount of robots. I call that human rights, and all countries should start doing the same before its too late. 

Anyways, here I leave you something to think about and would love to hear your say in it. 

ps: I'll leave you here some of the videos so you see what I'm talking about

Hombre vs Máquina

Recuerdas todas estas películas que se han hecho en donde una empresa crea robots para la seguridad de los humanos, pero luego el robot es tan inteligente que se torna en contra de nosotros? Bueno, los creadores de esas películas tal vez tienen una visión un poco más agresiva de lo que en realidad, aunque parezca mentira, estamos viviendo hoy en día. Ya se que no existen robots que estén sueltos en Nueva York atacando salvajemente por las calles o tratando de acabar con la humanidad. No, el problema que se vive hoy en día es que los robots están remplazando cada vez más a los trabajadores.

Pongamos un par de ejemplos:

Amazon. En los almacenes donde antes se creaban tal vez cientos de empleos para organizar las cajas, ahora hay unos robots manejados por un software que hacen este trabajo. Para la empresa es maravilloso: ganan tiempo, los robots trabajan 24 horas sin cobrar salario, todo esta más organizado, no tienen que lidiar con empleados molestos o con despidos y ocurren muchos menos accidentes. A mi, personalmente, me parece excelente la genialidad de esta empresa y estoy cien por ciento de acuerdo con el uso de la tecnología aplicada para mejorar ya sea la calidad de vida o calidad de una empresa. Pero, qué pasa con los trabajadores? ya hablaremos de eso.

Amazon nuevamente. En estos momentos en San Francisco, están haciendo pruebas para que el envío de los artículos que pidas en amazon, no te sean entregados por una persona, sino por drones. Ellos andarán volando por el cielo de todos los Estados Unidos de América entregando pedidos, seguramente en muy poco tiempo. Por supuesto, otras miles de empresas van a seguir los pasos de Amazon eventualmente, una vez se den cuenta de las ganancias que genera no pagar sueldos y no tener que lidiar con percances que haya podido tener el trabajador a la hora de la entrega. Me pregunto que será de los delivery boys.

Apple. Muchos saben los problemas que ha enfrentado esta empresa por tener horas extras trabajando a los pobres chinos cada vez que estos tienen una fecha para el lanzamiento de un iphone o cualquiera de sus artículos. Muchos sabemos también que allá se fabrica prácticamente todo, precisamente porque debido a su masiva población, los sueldos son ridículamente bajos. Vaya ventaja para las empresas de otros países que no tendrían la mitad de sus ganancias si todo lo tuviesen que hacer en sus propios países. En fin, recientemente vi un reportaje, o no recuerdo si era el mismo comercial de Apple, haciendo publicidad de su nuevo Mac Pro. Creo que es su único artículo Made in Usa. Pero no, no es que tengan cientos de empleados con sueldos más que justos. Solo tienen un par de científicos (no sabría decir la cantidad) y realmente los que ensamblan los Mac Pro, son unos robots. Nuevamente, el trabajo humano sustituido por estos. Mi sospecha es, que si ya están desarrollando esta poderosa herramienta a través de robots, qué les impide empezar a hacer todos sus productos de esa manera de ahora en adelante? Y qué pasará cuando otras empresas comiencen a hacer lo mismo? Hoy en día pocas empresas tienen suficientes fondos como para hacer tal inversión, pero esta tecnología, como todo, eventualmente será mucho más económica y más sostenible para empresas menos poderosas que Apple. Nuevamente me pregunto entonces, que será de los chinos?

Así como estas, miles de empresas están siguiendo este camino de remplazar a los humanos. De hecho nosotros mismos lo podemos ver día a día. No vemos robots, pero cada vez más, vemos máquinas que hacen lo que antes hacía una persona. Ahora, en un estacionamiento, le pagas a una máquina. Hace perfectamente lo que podía hacer una persona: recibir dinero, dar vuelto y devolverte el ticket. Así como este ejemplo habrán miles. Hay sitios en los que en vez de atenderte un mesonero, pides la orden por un ipad. Esto aún no se ha expandido, pero eventualmente lo hará. Somos cada vez más, perfectamente reemplazables.

Es difícil decidir si uno está del todo de acuerdo con esto. A mi, por ejemplo, me gusta la tecnología. No a la escala geek, pero me llama la atención. Me parecen maravillosas las cosas que el humano ha creado en tan pocos anos. Si no fuese por la tecnología, no pudiésemos viajar de un país a otro en cuestión de horas, no estaría yo sentada escribiendo por esta laptop, no tomaríamos fotos que inmortalicen nuestros momentos. Tendríamos muy poco, pero no puedo evitar sentirme reacia al hecho de que, aparte de que apenas hay países saliendo de la recesión en donde la peor consecuencia fue el desempleo masivo, haya industrias queriéndonos remplazar. A dónde van esos cientos de desempleados ahora? Sí, algunos habrán marchado a otras empresas, en donde eventualmente también los van a reemplazar. Otros habrán conseguido trabajos en tiendas, pero no hay tiendas que empleen tantas personas como las grandes industrias. Unos lo lograrán y otros quedarán rezagados.

Una persona recientemente me dijo algo que me dejó pensando. Su análisis en cuanto a este caso, es que las empresas están usando robots de manera que ahora los empleados se motiven a convertirse en ingenieros. Se les está motivando para conseguir cargos más altos. Ok, me parece genial que muchas personas se preparen y aspiren a más. Pero por otro lado, qué pasa si miles de personas empiezan a estudiar ingeniería? Las empresas solo contratan a unos cuantos, no a cientos. Y ya que ellos son los de cargos altos y los de más prestigio porque estudiaron una carrera, entonces se les paga más. Qué pasa entonces si la demanda sube? Los sueldos bajan. Y para conseguir más ventaja con respecto a los otros miles de ingenieros, tienes que hacer especializaciones, que todos sabemos que son ridículamente costosas. Y todo eso para que te den un sueldo que si acaso te alcanza para vivir? Es como en Espana: hay tanto desempleo que los sueldos tanto de los no graduados como de los graduados son, y me perdonan la palabra, una mierda. Entonces para sobrevivir, cada vez necesitas más masters y doctorados, etc. Y no todo el mundo tiene acceso monetario, no todo el mundo tiene el tiempo. Por eso existen los trabajos de más bajo nivel, que también parecen estarse extinguiendo. Acabaremos viviendo en un mundo extremadamente competitivo (que ya de por sí lo es). Prácticamente en una jungla.

Afortunadamente, algunos países están tomando medidas en cuanto al asunto y dictando leyes en las cuales solo puedes hacer uso de un porcentaje dado de robots. Y no que yo sea profeta ni nada por el estilo, pero hay que estar ciego para no darse cuenta del caos que esta nueva tecnología nos puede traer. Espero no estar en lo correcto y que los países tomen cartas en el asunto antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

Siempre he sentido simpatía hacia los trabajos de cargos menores. Simplemente algunas personas nunca tuvieron la oportunidad de aspirar a más o simplemente no quieren. La felicidad y el éxito no se miden por cuánto tengas en los bolsillos. Sería una lástima ver a miles de personas haciendo lo imposible por sobrevivir.

Aquí les dejo esta reflexión y me encantaría saber qué opinan al respecto. Yo por supuesto, puedo estar equivocada.

Chao Pues!


PS: aquí les dejo unos videitos sobre lo que les hablaba de las empresas.

Song Tasting

It's been quite some time since I posted something here... Lack of inspiration? maybe... To be honest all I can really think about is the situation in my country, and it's not of me to write about politics. I'm just not good at it. Anyways, I thought about dedicating this simple post to the people who loves music. For people who enjoys it as deep as some enjoy a good glass of fine wine. Call this a "song tasting". 

I'll dedicate some time to find in my playlist the songs that I find most... "heartful". To me, each of these songs bring a strong feeling. If they dont, I wont post. So here it is:

Arctic Monkeys- Do I Wanna know (this one is sexy, rocker... just gorgeous)

At home (Passion Pit Remix)- Crystal Fighters (such a cool bands these both. this song makes u wanna travel and live new things)

Love Natural - Crystal Fighters (again these guys. This one is really fresh and easy going)

Run run se fue pal Norte - Violeta Parra (for those who like cultural stuff... makes u feel like u r lost in Peru or some exotic place. Melancholic as well)

A Lack of Understanding - The Vaccines (I love this band, it reminds me of good old Joy Division. Makes u feel like you are in some old indie bar with a live band. Very British, this one)

Airplanes - Local Natives (I'd say this one is for people who hates the typical song rhythms. Its weird at first, but then u cant stop listening to it. Also nice lyrics)

Almost Lover - A fine frenzy (this one is restricted to those who just want to cry themselves out. So freaking sad but also good lullaby)

Bushwick Blues- Delta Spirit (this is probably one of the most heartful songs. Perfect if u wanna learn the lyrics and sing like crazy cuz someone broke your heart or you just feel like it)

Come back when you can - Barcelona (this one is the typical song they'd play on a movie with the character moving to another city and is sitting on a train all alone watching through the window... yeah. beautiful song)

Gods and Monsters- Lana del Rey (feels dark and morbid but its just delightful)

Hamburg Song - Keane (can u picture yourself sitting on an old chair in front on an old wooden house on a very green hill somewhere like Ireland? Its a bit chili and you are out there with a blanket, peacefully looking at the sunset. Yeah, thats what this song feels like. If you dont feel it, then you arent really picturing it)

Hand me down - Matchbox Twenty (i just had to include this one cuz is the best fucking lyrics ever)

He doesnt know why - Fleet foxes (i love these guys cuz the way they sing and look is really old, but they are actually of this era. I cant describe what it makes me feel when i listen to it but its just... cozy. I guess. Their song "Mykonos"is also very good)

No sound but the wind - Editors (I call this "the war song". It just feels like a british war. You'll see)

Que sera sera - Doris Day (this one also feels cultural and feels like you are driving up some mountains  in Ecuador)

Rosyln - Bon Iver and St. Vincent (damn, what can I say. I just feel so much with this song. Just, listen to it. I love the instruments and the voices... everything)

A Hard Teacher - Hans Zimmer (this one only works if u feel like meditating... if you are into that. It brings many emotions when u r quite concentrated. Otherwise you wont find any sense in it)

Graceless - The National (its the opposite to all the above. If you just feel like feeling nothing... this is the song. Its emotionless. This is my song if i wanna quit being all emotional and stuff for a while)

Oops I did it again - Britney Spears (just kidding)

Some are lakes - Land of talk (for those who miss grunge. This one feels different cuz the singer is a girl, but it does give you a bit of the grunge feeling)

The Bay - Metronomy (this song doesnt make sense at all and maybe thats why i love it. The rhythm is crazy but nice at the same time. If you love when things just dont have to make sense, this song is for u)

The great Scape - The Rifles (apart from the music, which is the kinda indie i love, the lyrics are very good in this song. Its about like people trying to make sense in their boring lives)

Vaporize - Broken Bells (great song and also the second best lyrics ever)

Walk Away - Franz Ferdinand (I love this song cuz its a person struggling not to feel too much when they are heartbroken. Its about acting like you dont care when u actually do. Very English and rebel-like)

And well, that's it. You may find some of these songs quite strange but thats why this is called a Song Tasting. Hope that you at least like one of it.

I'll see you when I see you

Chao Pues!