Todays fast paced world has raised  expectations for the modern-day working man. The key characteristics  sought after in a worker are efficiency, consistency, and skills.  Businesses are attempting to cut back costs and increase productivity,  and to do so many are leaving behind traditional labor and turning  towards technology as a solution. A large amount of positions has been  consumed by technology; cashiers, bank tellers, assembly line workers  and even mail workers have done away with human employees, and are all  automated. Although it seems technology is the obvious solution for more  efficient workers, there are numerous jobs that cannot be replaced by  machines. Jobs that require craftsmanship or expertise like auto  collision or lawyers cannot be replaced by technology. 

  Societys increased focus on time  management has played a large role in the introduction of technology  into the workforce. Due to regulations and rights for workers many  employers must provide time off, paid leave, sick days, and even  overtime. In stark contrast machines require no such amenities and only  take time off to be repaired or serviced.  

  Technological advancement is responsible for destroying jobs in some instances but also creating them in others. A  group of researchers from Oxford University has estimated that 47  percent of jobs in the United States could be automated within the next  twenty years (Lucy Benton). Lower  income people are hit harder by the transition than others because the  minimum wage jobs are the first to go. Employers realize more work can  be produced for less cost with the machines. Yet, on the other hand  businesses who create the technology gain more profits and growth and  positions for repairing and maintaining the machines begin to open.  Social progress is affected because it widens the gap between the rich  and the poor and it changes how businesses operate.   

  The social implications of widespread  automation are reduction of quality products and less versatility due to  programming. Technology also has a greater environmental impact  requiring power for the machines to operate. The future I see for us  with wide spread automation is sacrificing quality and connection in  exchange for convenience and quantity. 

Refrences 

Kevin Kelly (2012, December 24) Better Than Human: Why Robots Will And Must Take Our Jobs. Retrieved from  

Peter Newfield (2018, June 21) Current Jobs that May be Replaced by Technology. Retrieved from  

Lucy Benton (2018, April 12) Do Robots  Destroy Our Jobs? Pros and Cons. Retrieved from  https://careerenlightenment.com/robots-destroy-jobs-pros-cons