Karl Polanyi's Argumentative Analysis
The 21st-century epoch is inexplicably linked with great innovation and cutting edge development in technology. Technological advancements are often revered as invaluable contributions to society, and ultimately a symbol of mankind’s progress. However, with progress also comes problems. The social impacts of high-tech sector developments on communities— especially the lower socioeconomic class—is not always positive.
Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle published an article discussing the often long forgotten effects of technological innovation in the automobile industry. Major job losses are predicted as autonomous vehicles begin to take to the road. While still in its elementary stages, the eventual transition to self-driving cars …show more content…
The job displacement associated with autonomous vehicle development is a prime example of the commodity of “artificial intelligence” extending into the new market of transportation. This “extension of market”, although progressive and beneficial, is still coupled with negative externalities of massive job displacement. Additionally, an overextension of said market leans dangerously close to an unstable, or as Polanyi defines it, a “disembedded” economy. Remaining true to Polanyi’s theory, a “protective countermovement” has organically arisen to resist and ultimately prevent the disastrous disembedding of our economy. While not necessarily a social movement in the form of protest, responses from society have been observed. Most notably, the article quotes Andy Stern, former president of the Service Employees International Union, who claims that replacing human labor with machines would be “incredibly irresponsible”. Many other organizational and union leaders fear the impending and almost inevitable transition to a fully autonomous road. America’s 3.5 million truck drivers are among the most vulnerable population, and many have taken preemptive actions and expanding their job options. With corporate interest placed in the valorization of the
Recently, the San Francisco Chronicle published an article discussing the often long forgotten effects of technological innovation in the automobile industry. Major job losses are predicted as autonomous vehicles begin to take to the road. While still in its elementary stages, the eventual transition to self-driving cars …show more content…
The job displacement associated with autonomous vehicle development is a prime example of the commodity of “artificial intelligence” extending into the new market of transportation. This “extension of market”, although progressive and beneficial, is still coupled with negative externalities of massive job displacement. Additionally, an overextension of said market leans dangerously close to an unstable, or as Polanyi defines it, a “disembedded” economy. Remaining true to Polanyi’s theory, a “protective countermovement” has organically arisen to resist and ultimately prevent the disastrous disembedding of our economy. While not necessarily a social movement in the form of protest, responses from society have been observed. Most notably, the article quotes Andy Stern, former president of the Service Employees International Union, who claims that replacing human labor with machines would be “incredibly irresponsible”. Many other organizational and union leaders fear the impending and almost inevitable transition to a fully autonomous road. America’s 3.5 million truck drivers are among the most vulnerable population, and many have taken preemptive actions and expanding their job options. With corporate interest placed in the valorization of the