Technology and Workers
I read, with great interest, Jeremy Rifkin’s article, “What’s a Worker Worth in a Workless World?” (Commentary, Oct. 11). As a business strategy consultant who has spent the last 15 years advising corporate clients on adaptations to technology, I very much agree with Rifkin. Largely because of technology, we are quickly becoming a nation of haves and have-nots. The haves possess the information, knowledge and education to deal with technology. They’re advancing. The have-nots lack the information, knowledge and education to deal with technology. They’re faltering--fast.
I believe that our search for a solution depends on our point of view. If we ask “what’s the solution for our children?” the answer is obvious--education. If we ask “what’s the solution for displaced factory workers?” our answer is far less obvious. Retraining? Yes, in some cases. Not in all. Not in most. For two reasons: first, many displaced workers haven’t the interest or the intellectual capacity for retraining in technology. The second problem with retraining is in the numbers. For every 10 displaced workers, only one information “technician” is required. Still, the other nine remain unemployed.
WILLIAM S. BIRNBAUM
Costa Mesa
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* Rifkin points out the displacement of black Americans when factories close as a function of downsizing and/or the computer revolution. He also notes that this same fate is soon to jump racial lines and involve working-class whites as well, thus finally setting aside the values of 200 years in this country in which the heart of the social compact was the worth of a person’s labor.
A response which Rifkin did not discuss was to consider a return to a WPA-type approach involving the generation of public works for the public good. The infrastructure of our nation is in dire need. The highway system is a half-century old, bridges are worn out, potholes are in our streets, whole neighborhoods should be razed and rebuilt. Our nation’s funds and energies would be better spent turning its young men loose on such beneficial projects, rather than spending increasing monies for new prisons.
JAMES E. GARDNER
Woodland Hills
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* I’m glad to see someone finally commenting on reducing the workweek and spreading the work. I remember the fight for the 40-hour workweek and labor leader John L. Lewis saying, “So what’s wrong with workers going to Florida for a vacation?”
RAE SELVIN
Northridge
