A strange situation: 73 percent of Americans believe that artificial intelligence will destroy more jobs than it creates, but, surprise, surprise, most also believe that their job will be safe! Talk about, not in my backyard! This is a prime example of the psychology of cognitive blindspots, for if people could think clearly they would see that whatever job they had, even flipping burgers, a machine could in principle, and soon in practice, replace it. Thus, my son was amazed when he started first year mathematics this year, to see computer applications, all available on the web, that solved with working almost all calculus problems. STEM degrees could well be a waste of time in the future, as with degrees like law, where if it can’t be done by a machine, then it will be outsourced to Asia for cheap labour to do the job.
http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/03/08/report-most-americans-think-ai-will-destroy-jobs-but-will-not-take-their-own-job/
If one can survive with minimalism, why work?
https://www.theminimalists.com/minimalism/
“What is minimalism? If we had to sum it up in a single sentence, we would say, Minimalism is a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfillment, and freedom.
Minimalism has helped us…
• Eliminate our discontent
• Reclaim our time
• Live in the moment
• Pursue our passions
• Discover our missions
• Experience real freedom
• Create more, consume less
• Focus on our health
• Grow as individuals
• Contribute beyond ourselves
• Rid ourselves of excess stuff
• Discover purpose in our lives
By incorporating minimalism into our lives, we’ve finally been able to find lasting happiness—and that’s what we’re all looking for, isn’t it? We all want to be happy. Minimalists search for happiness not through things, but through life itself; thus, it’s up to you to determine what is necessary and what is superfluous in your life.”
I can live with that.