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Employment in a Technological World Essay

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as of September 2011, a whopping 9.1 percent of the American people are unemployed, meaning 14 million possible workers can't find a suitable job (“National Employment Monthly Update” par. 1). Many of the jobs that were once available to millions have been made obsolete by the creation of new technology. On the other hand, information and engineering technology have established a vast number of skilled and unskilled jobs in the business sector and many research fields. The balance between creation and destruction is applicable to the effects of technology in today’s society and has been studied since the ancient civilizations. With the arrival of new technology every day, there is a constant …show more content…

The familiar connotative meaning of the term centers on the use of machines--new lathes, robots, computers,and the like. However, any better, faster, or more efficient way of producing is a technological advancement; better knowledge will suffice, even without a new tool or machine. (2) Even though the most common reason for any person to be laid off is new machinery that can do there job for them, the simple knowledge of a more efficient strategy for solving a problem is enough to make any position obsolete. With an ordinary knowledge of these terms, understanding the effects of technology on unemployment is quite simple. The most apparent issue that employment faces today is the creation of new technology that crushes the need for many jobs but it may also result in an increase of job stability and future employment. As new technology is produced, it often demands an increase in skilled laborers for that firm or sector which eliminates many professions for the unskilled laborers(Handel 3). To elaborate it is explained that, “While technological advancement over the long run does not lead to unemployment problems, but rather is the engine for higher standards of living with either more or less employment at the discretion of individuals, short-run problems may certainly arise from technological advancement if there are imperfections in labor and product

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