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Humans are starting to look like horses right before the Model T

Humans are starting to look like horses right before the Model T

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A video essay on how robots are already taking jobs

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Are robots coming for your job? Experts are divided, and opinions range from cheery placidity to paralyzing fear. YouTube user CGP Grey, in a new video, makes an effective case for the latter.

Robots are already replacing jobs in every sector, he says, an argument that's been made before. More importantly, he pops a hole in inflated economic optimism. "Better technology makes more better jobs for horses" sounded like a reasonable phrase right until Henry Ford started pumping out Model Ts, and yet, replace "horses" with "humans" and you have an argument that's being made right now.

The video may be too pessimistic by the end, but the thesis still stands. Should we be afraid of robots stealing our jobs? If we're unprepared, then yes.