It doesn't matter if it works
henry.codes
It doesn't matter if it works
1–10 of 18 posts
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#2> Those increasingly specific roles, in increasingly complex systems, meant that the average level of wide conceptual understanding of each worker was reduced
This is one of the foundational premises of this whole piece, and it's false.
The other premise is AI doesn't work, and that's actually true.
How is it that just a few years ago everyone was whining about needing more skills than ever to do their job, and now suddenly "because AI" they don't? Which is it?
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#3I just want to call out that the craft in the webpage is exactly the kind of thing AI cannot produce: it's quirky and tasteful and combines modern web influences with graphic print traditions - it is awesome.
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#4I’m glad to see that there aren’t any comments here about how tech is special and doesn’t need a labor union.
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#5Only losers think it doesn’t matter if it works.
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#6It's more exciting to think about evil people plotting how they will control the labor force and steal all its knowledge, but I think both the AI use and the alleged extraction of knowledge of design and craft are better explained by, like, "the job got crazy popular, the labor force multiplied, a lot of less passionate people got involved, and then some solutions were found"
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#7> Those increasingly specific roles, in increasingly complex systems, meant that the average level of wide conceptual understanding of each worker was reduced This is one of the foundational premises of this whole piece, and it's false. The other premise is AI doesn't work, and that's actually true. How is it that just a few years ago everyone was whining about needing more skills than ever to do their job, and now s…
If taking the sentence out of context wasn't intended, you may want to (re)read the article because 'and now suddenly "because AI" they don't?' isn't even remotely close to what is being said in that paragraph and the one after.
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#8The premise of the article seems odd. It essentially says that AI is a threat to labor no matter if it works, because even if it doesn't, it still gives companies an excuse to fire people.
But... companies can always fire people? Yes, AI may be a face-saving excuse after post-COVID overhiring, but you can always get fired. Economic downturns, tariffs, you name it. The housing crisis had nothing to do with AI.
The reason that companies don't "RIF any%" (author's words) every year is mostly that they can't do that and stay in business. They need people, and in the "AI doesn't work" scenario, they will continue to need them.
I feel that in the article, the main thesis isn't really developed and just seems like an excuse to talk about class warfare and the evils of capitalism. Which is obviously a fine thing to blog about, but I think it's just preaching to the choir.
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#9I’m glad to see that there aren’t any comments here about how tech is special and doesn’t need a labor union.
Times are certainly changing!
Re: It doesn't matter if it works
#10> Those increasingly specific roles, in increasingly complex systems, meant that the average level of wide conceptual understanding of each worker was reduced This is one of the foundational premises of this whole piece, and it's false. The other premise is AI doesn't work, and that's actually true. How is it that just a few years ago everyone was whining about needing more skills than ever to do their job, and now s…
If taking the sentence out of context wasn't intended, you may want to (re)read the article because 'and now suddenly "because AI" they don't?' isn't even remotely close to what is being said in that paragraph and the one after.
???
The entire post is the same topic repeated ad-nauseam that "deskilling" concentrates labor into roles with less scope so that automation can take over.
I'm saying the opposite has been happening for decades. The only people who think that work is getting less skilled are on the far extremes of the political spectrum. They're both allergic to work and dream up disaster or utopia to get their way.