The End of Work by Jeremy Rifkin

The following article was written by Lena as a part of her revision for the a-levels on English Language in 2005. I hope this will be handy for anyone having to revise for “English GK”

Modern machines replace mass labour more and more. In future modern machines will do the work of many factory workers. Without people developing these machines there won’t be any production. That’s the reason why the global economy depends on high skilled educated workers. Exactly these skilled workers invent modern technologies which are needed for future.

If more and more people become unemployed the social peace is in danger. Social peace is very important for a society, because it contributes to an increase in general prosperity. Another social problem is that increased unemployment leads to increased financial problems and thus to crime. Political effects could be that the retirement pension and the social security such as health insurances are not ensured anymore.

A variety of jobs can never be replaced. In many areas of labour human intuition and intelligence cannot be automated or replaced by machines. Kindergarten teachers, nurses, school teachers, doctors, therapists, social workers and priests rely on emotions and intuitions everyday they work. Machines aren’t able to feel emotions and have intuitions yet like human being. Those people who invent new technologies and new medicine are required for the future.