Comment by globular-toast
2 hours ago
That's a very, very narrow view of software. The firmware inside an internal combustion engine control unit did not take someone's job away. The software to assemble genomes from DNA fragments did take someone's job away. Nor did an MP3 codec, a game, or a search engine. All this stuff gave us more than we had before, it wasn't just automating existing capabilities.
Even when software has been used for automation it's been done to eliminate boring labour, not creative work. Eliminating jobs like switchboard operators or coal stokers is a good thing because those were unenjoyable and even dangerous jobs that nobody wants to do.
> The firmware inside an internal combustion engine control unit did not take someone's job away.
Of course it did. Cars and motorcycles used to need to be taken to the mechanics all the time. Now they just run and run without issue, thanks to what you mention.
> All this stuff gave us more than we had before
Absolutely. Just like all automation. It takes away jobs, but increases production. That's why it's worth it in the end.
> Even when software has been used for automation it's been done to eliminate boring labour, not creative work.
Yes, and now AI is eliminating the boring labour of programmers. Will they come to terms with the fact that their jobs are unenjoyable and nobody actually wants to do them, like the coal stokers and switchboard operators?
But I agree with you that there are some outliers within programming that go beyond automating jobs and processes. Like the examples you give.