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Author	Topic: Practically human: Can smart machines do your job?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

aservant Champion Author California Posts:14,185 Points:1,381,015 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 3:15:11 AM Ignore aservant Report Abuse Art Liscano knows he's an endangered species in the job market: He's a meter reader in Fresno, Calif. For 26 years, he's driven from house to house, checking how much electricity Pacific Gas & Electric customers have used. But PG&E doesn't need many people like Liscano making rounds anymore. Every day, the utility replaces 1,200 old-fashioned meters with digital versions that can collect information without human help, generate more accurate power bills, even send an alert if the power goes out. "I can see why technology is taking over," says Liscano, 66, who earns $67,000 a year. "We can see the writing on the wall." His department employed 50 full-time meter readers just six years ago. Now, it has six. . . . Google and Toyota are rolling out cars that can drive themselves. Visit TheTandD for full article

aservant

Champion Author
California

Posts:14,185
Points:1,381,015
Joined:Nov 2008

Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 3:15:11 AM

Ignore aservant Report Abuse

Art Liscano knows he's an endangered species in the job market: He's a meter reader in Fresno, Calif. For 26 years, he's driven from house to house, checking how much electricity Pacific Gas & Electric customers have used.

But PG&E doesn't need many people like Liscano making rounds anymore. Every day, the utility replaces 1,200 old-fashioned meters with digital versions that can collect information without human help, generate more accurate power bills, even send an alert if the power goes out.

"I can see why technology is taking over," says Liscano, 66, who earns $67,000 a year. "We can see the writing on the wall." His department employed 50 full-time meter readers just six years ago. Now, it has six.

. . .

Google and Toyota are rolling out cars that can drive themselves.
Visit TheTandD for full article

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

NedW Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:5,594 Points:1,138,245 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 7:41:28 AM Ignore NedW Report Abuse This is frightening when one thinks about the hunger that might ensue.
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,943 Points:2,113,390 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 6:51:37 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse depends... as an old CompSci professor said... garbage in, garbage out...
TruthMatters Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,510 Points:530,435 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jan 25, 2013 6:46:13 AM Ignore TruthMatters Report Abuse NO! I don't see my main job (being a parent) as a job- it is my passion!
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,800 Points:638,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 11:29:50 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse I guess in the future the smart technology can pay unemployed people to sit home on their couches!
BurntOrange Champion Author Austin Posts:8,697 Points:1,578,630 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 9:03:07 AM Ignore BurntOrange Report Abuse Video Rental Clerks also have high unemployment
skempton Champion Author Vermont Posts:1,124 Points:835,160 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 9:01:54 AM Ignore skempton Report Abuse That's the Smart Grid for you.
AVKZ All-Star Author Kalamazoo Posts:831 Points:291,000 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 8:38:52 AM Ignore AVKZ Report Abuse What are people supposed to do to support their families?
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,063 Points:2,367,370 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 8:13:19 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse soon there will be even less jobs in america only welfare
hotwire43 Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:180 Points:531,925 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 8:04:49 AM Ignore hotwire43 Report Abuse Good for big companies to be able to save on labor costs, but bad for people who still need jobs to make a living.
bar1035 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:9,130 Points:1,294,220 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 7:07:28 AM Ignore bar1035 Report Abuse The rise of the machines is real
grandpadon28110 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:4,696 Points:1,138,310 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 7:04:05 AM Ignore grandpadon28110 Report Abuse Comes with the time.
Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,295 Points:650,210 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 6:55:41 AM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse as long as they pay me to watch them !
MImusicman Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,853 Points:403,675 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 6:35:33 AM Ignore MImusicman Report Abuse Not mine
leeac Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,576 Points:429,905 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 6:34:07 AM Ignore leeac Report Abuse Smart machines may replace jobs like meter readers and assembly line workers but they cannot replace jobs in the trades like plumbers and electricians and those that repair the smart machines. Get a trade, young man.
daytonabiker All-Star Author Florida Posts:890 Points:197,820 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 6:23:45 AM Ignore daytonabiker Report Abuse $67,000 a year to read meters,no wonder our bills are high go to smart meters
FPLREP Champion Author Virginia Posts:8,243 Points:2,444,290 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 6:19:55 AM Ignore FPLREP Report Abuse We have been using "electronic read" meters for over 14 years. Two men in their trucks can read all the meters in one day!
yardslave Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:2,539 Points:593,005 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 5:53:04 AM Ignore yardslave Report Abuse Are they hiring? $67k a year to be a meter reader?
SUPERSTEVIEO Champion Author Quebec Posts:3,523 Points:787,115 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 5:40:51 AM Ignore SUPERSTEVIEO Report Abuse a meter reqader making $67.000???? well it may just make sense... that in my book is an overpaid job.... sorry, but i agree...
pscamp Champion Author Ottawa Posts:3,251 Points:471,885 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 5:12:28 AM Ignore pscamp Report Abuse WOW!
molebaby96 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:2,118 Points:501,805 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 5:08:52 AM Ignore molebaby96 Report Abuse Maybe better than some humans.
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,696 Points:1,687,875 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 3:44:44 AM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse No