I used to work in manufacturing.
When I started, in the mid ‘70’s, we were using single spindle Brown & Sharpes to make a single fitting in about 30 seconds.
A few years later, we were using multi spindle machines to make a fitting in 4 seconds.
Interestingly, we would sometimes still get beaten out price wise by Mexicans running single spindle equipment.
*ahem* My standard of living has risen to uncomfortable heights. I hear rumors that my chocolate ration is being increased from 30 grams to 20 grams.
Increased productivity was supposed to create a leasure society, a paradise for the workers.
In the 70’s, you were given a quota of making ‘x’ widgets; and day in, day out you and others made those widgets. Bonus programs were in place that paid a premium for making 5% more widgets; and people retired after having worked their lives making widgets at a rate of ‘x+5%’, and lived comfortably the rest of their lives on their retirement.
You had stability, you had consistency, you had expectations that were well within reason. You had a non-verbal contract with your employer - loyalty went both ways. You made your quota, and your employer kept you employed through thick and thin.
Today, you make ‘x’ widgets; but you had better make ‘x+5%’ every year, increasing by 5% until you cannot meet the quota - then you are replaced.
So, yes; we are making almost double from what we made 20 years ago; but are we in a ‘better place’? I would argue ‘no’, we are in a far worse place. People no longer have job security, work is becoming more and more stressful. Loyalty to the company is now punished, and there is absolutely NO loyalty from the company to any employee.
As a group of Americans, we are now no longer the leaders of the world in manufacturing, we are lagging the rest of the world in education, and a great many people not only have lost their retirements due to layoffs - they are losing their homes as well. This is not progress.
Unless you're one of the guys who no longer has a job.
Thanks Palter.