The Residuum-Those Who Technology Leaves Behind
The introduction of new technologies has direct and indirect advantages and disadvantages on societies. As the relentless pace of technology increases, societies have to adjust, accommodate, integrate or reject the latest invention or innovation. Many people even experience the unintended consequences associated with these technologies. Some technologies appear to have a stabilizing effect on society (where the technology lifts all of society) while other technologies appear disruptive with unsettling effects(benefits are shared by a few with previously established firms being displaced). In this latter case, companies with the most disruptive technologies provide benefits but also gain market share by decimating their competitors. Those in society who have the means or the opportunity to seize the benefits of advanced technologies undoubtedly gain efficiencies of time and effectiveness while those who cannot afford or those who chose not to adopt these same technologies unfortunately fall behind. During the present worldwide pandemic, schools have physically closed their doors causing the mto pursue virtual classrooms. How will the teachers and children without internet access in their homes compare to those who do? In the near future, increased automation will lead to some reduction in the full-time workforce. A co-worker recently improved her skills in a fortuitous technical discipline. Others did not. Who should be held responsible for reskilling? Stated another way, who should be held responsible for finding new employment opportunities?In the distant future, parents who incorporated genetically enhanced benefits during childbirth will have offspring who will probably advance beyond those who cannot afford the technology. In these various ways, who should be held responsible for those who technology leaves behind?Are those left behind simply those who suffer inequality or is there something more?Should the semi-transparent hand of technology be allowed to roam freely through society selecting the survival of the fittest as it chooses? Should the invisible hand of the financial market make the decisions? Or, should governments and companies bear some responsibility by crafting policies to mitigate the consequences to those cast aside by the technology? This paper will endeavor to address some of the underlying issues of this question while attempting to find a set of sensible solutions to this problem.