US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February • Hacker News Board

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#131

Post by luxuryballs » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:02 PM UTC

aliljet wrote: post #6

There's a vibe in at least the PNW that feels like the tech sector is sloughing jobs and avoiding creating new ones courtesy of AI. I genuinely wonder if that feeling is backed by reality and whether it's large enough to be translating into national statistics across all industries.

I can only speak from anecdotal experience in that I just witnessed this week, dev team leads and architects “replaced” by Claude code, they kept the offshore junior-mid coders and are giving them $20/mo pro accounts… (doesn’t that seem a little backwards?)

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#132

Post by bombcar » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:02 PM UTC

aliljet wrote: post #6

There's a vibe in at least the PNW that feels like the tech sector is sloughing jobs and avoiding creating new ones courtesy of AI. I genuinely wonder if that feeling is backed by reality and whether it's large enough to be translating into national statistics across all industries.

There were definitely some companies that clearly overhired during Covid that are now "resetting" and blaming/crediting AI is certainly an excuse they can use.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#133

Post by learingsci » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC

Definitely not AI. We all know about Jeeves paradox. It must be the taxes on corporations (tarrifs). Taxes on business are always bad.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#134

Post by game_the0ry » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC

> "...unexpectedly..."

Really? Anyone here feel like the job market is thriving right now? Anyone surprised?

Bc I was like - yeah, totally, makes sense, not surprised at all.

If anything, I am waiting for that dreaded "business update" calendar invite from HR. I am already researching and taking notes on trade schools. Ready to punch that ticket any day now.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#135

Post by loloquwowndueo » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC

Retric wrote: post #118

iso1631 wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not the government that's the problem per-se, it's the fact half the US supports that government

This administration has terrible approval ratings. https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/donald-trump...

Totally a case of “gee, who’d have thunk”

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#136

Post by rs_rs_rs_rs_rs » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC

SecretDreams wrote: post #20

Crazy thing is people will vote for this again. Some against their best interest. Others because they appreciate the divide that comes from this type of admin.

Vote? Hopefully that's still possible!

My paranoia conspiracy theory is that somehow US will declare war on Iran at some point and elections will be postoned.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#137

Post by bombcar » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:04 PM UTC

sybercecurity wrote: post #33

aliljet wrote: post #6

There's a vibe in at least the PNW that feels like the tech sector is sloughing jobs and avoiding creating new ones courtesy of AI. I genuinely wonder if that feeling is backed by reality and whether it's large enough to be translating into national statistics across all industries.

I don't know either. I do wonder if AI is just and excuse since saying "we have to let people go because the economy is bad and our costs are up." spooks investors while "We adopted magic AI and don't need people anymore" sounds like these companies are being proactive so investors don't dump their stocks.

Considering the first companies to claim AI has made many redundant are the same companies that overhired during Covid, I think it's pretty clear how the wind is blowing.

Companies move in a group, if you're the only company doing layoffs you look weak and predators will pounce and the board will ask uncomfortable questions, but if everyone is doing it, they'll ask why you are NOT.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#138

Post by elicash » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:04 PM UTC

mekdoonggi wrote: post #3

Makes sense. At the rate we're going, by 2028 the US is going essentially be Venezuela except AI instead of oil.

We extract like 12 or 13 times more oil than Venezuela.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#139

Post by JohnMakin » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:04 PM UTC

TwoNineA wrote: post #121

iso1631 wrote: post #105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not the government that's the problem per-se, it's the fact half the US supports that government

Controversial opinion, it's way more than half: 1/3 voted for the orange man, 1/3 didn't bother go to vote because "BoTh SideS ARe thE SamE!" and 1/3 tried to do the right thing.

It may surprise you, but it’s generally accepted that 1/3rd is less than 1/2.

Re: US economy unexpectedly sheds 92k jobs in February

#140

Post by learingsci » Fri, Mar 06, 2026, 3:04 PM UTC

wholinator2 wrote: post #94

baq wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

tariffs on goods are mostly noise. if there were tariffs on services, though...

What do you mean noise? American people pay 96% of them with an average cost of $1000+ per family over the last year. To the vast majority of people that's waaayyyy above the noise floor.

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