32
votes
Accepted
Does recycling lead to fewer jobs?
Any invention that replaces human labor puts an end to that specific task. Glass recycling eliminates (or decrease) the need for silica-gathering task. Typewriter eliminates the need for printing ...
- 2,800
2
votes
How to estimate Robot density in a country?
Daron Acemoglu has written a fair bit about the impacts of automation on labour markets. Bearing in mind that mechanization and "robotization" are different in important ways (with that importance ...
- 1,806
2
votes
Is there sound economic reasoning behind the assertion that automation will not lead to mass unemployment?
A short answer…
Say’s Law says “supply creates its own demand”. In the long term Say's Law will apply. In the short term a surprise will mean some suppliers are producing something they should not be ...
- 941
2
votes
Can machines create value?
Modern economists believe that machines can create value. The reason why Marx thought that machines cannot create value is that he subscribed to classical notion of labor theory of value (LTV). Labor ...
- 58.5k
1
vote
How relevant if the notion "labour productivity" in the era of automation?
We've been in the "era of automation" for centuries now (witness the systematic technological underemployment called the "40-hour work week"), and yet labor remains the major ...
- 248
1
vote
Accepted
The relation between productivity and prices
If all labor was physical and I invented a pill that doubled everybodies strength, what would actually happen to both prices, unemployment and wages?
This 'toy example' does not have enough ...
- 58.5k
1
vote
How would you measure automation or technological development?
"What I am confused a little is how to measure the technological development/automation side of things."
There are several ways to do this in economics. TFP is not a good candidate because ...
- 2,516
1
vote
Accepted
In-ovo chick sexing vs. unemployment
This technology would be implemented on a large scale regardless of any countries law mandating it's use. Firms would save a lot of resources if they could get rid of eggs at the 4-20 day mark rather ...
- 161
1
vote
Does recycling lead to fewer jobs?
In the classical model, recycling (and most other changes in modes of consumption) doesn't change employment either way in the long term. The jobs gained by recycling are lost from other sectors and ...
- 111
1
vote
Why is there so little automation at McDonald's?
In Norway the average McDonalds employee makes $16 an hour.
Lets estimate that the average McDonalds store makes 50 baskets of fries every day.
Lets estimate that it takes on average 30 seconds to ...
- 954
1
vote
Why is there so little automation at McDonald's?
Automation would increase the upfront cost of opening a McDonald restaurant. Which wouldn't be a good thing for its franchise business.
Also, you have to take into account that by automating its store ...
- 313
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible