Violence Against Tech Firms May Only Be Beginning

For the past few weeks, protests have been building against a private bus system used by Google and others in Silicon Valley. The action took a menacing turn yesterday when one Google worker was followed home.

Google and other Silicon Valley tech companies have attracted the protesters' ire because sky-high tech salaries have led to sky-high real estate prices in San Francisco, pricing out poorer residents. They're also in the cross-hairs for their role in assisting NSA surveillance. The private bus system (which used public bus stops) was seen as another kick in teeth by, in the words of Kevin Roose, "coddled 22-year-olds with Stanford BAs."

But recent protests against tech firms aren't confined to Silicon Valley. In France, for instance, striking taxi workers attacked and vandalized cars booked through Uber.

Taken together these protests are small, uncoordinated and may ultimately fizzle out. Or, like the early tremors from a massive earthquake, they may be a significant harbinger of things to come. In fact, we may be nearing not one but two waves of violence directed at technology companies in the United States and abroad.

The first wave may prove to be nothing more than an unfortunate product of social resentment. The second wave could be catastrophic.

Many technological revolutions inspire fear and often violence when they displace workers -- the Luddite riots in Britain in the 1800s being the most famous example.

A recent, widely-cited study by Carl Frey and Michael Osborne of Oxford's Program on the Impacts of Future Technology, put the matter starkly. In their analysis of over 700 different jobs, almost half could be done by a computer in the future. This wave of computerization will destroy not simply low-wage, low-skill jobs (though those are in acute danger) but some white collar and service-sector jobs previously thought to be immune as well.

If the researchers are correct, there are, broadly speaking, two possible outcomes. The first is that society, as it historically has, finds a new equilibrium that manages to satisfy (almost) everyone. Low skilled workers and those with a mismatch in skills eventually train themselves into fields with better employment prospects. Some people, industries, and towns are displaced, but the macro economy and the social and political structures that rest on it, carries on. Meanwhile, new technologies continue to enrich our lives, enhance our productivity and produce a safer, cleaner world.

Alternatively, the jobs lost to computerization and robots are never replaced and workers caught in the transition never find a way back to the work force (some fear we could be seeing signs of this today). As the pace and scope of automation and roboticization accelerates, millions more find themselves unemployed, under-employed and increasingly desperate while those who own the robots, create the algorithms or otherwise work in technology reap immense benefits. Technology firms may ceased to be viewed as beneficial innovators and instead be viewed suspiciously as architects of greater inequality.

In this second, darker scenario, it's quite easy to see individuals or potentially even organized movements venting their frustration and desperation against technology firms (and their sometimes ostentatiously wealthy owners) using violence. The Occupy Wall Street protests sparked by the financial collapse and the accumulation of huge piles of wealth by a tiny fraction of humanity has primed the pump for such unrest. Discussing the Google protests in Salon, Natasha Lennard wrote approvingly that while such intimidation could be seen as terrorism, "it works" and should therefore continue.

But as challenging and uncertain as this scenario is, it's still comprehendible. Human society has dealt successfully with technological job displacement before. If it does come to pass, it could be met with more aggressive wealth distribution, repression or some clever policy of mass education (or make-work).

One of the crucial dynamics driving the computerization of human jobs is the evolution of machines intelligent enough to do work formerly consigned to humans. Beyond the rote, mechanical and dangerous work that robots are already beginning to do today (on factory floors, in war zones, etc.) lies the next wave of more sophisticated human skills, a wave that requires artificial intelligence to master.

Yet the development of ever-more intelligent machines carries with it immense danger beyond simply the loss of human jobs. These dangers have been spelled out most recently by documentarian James Barrat in his book Our Final Invention (which we reviewed here) and more recently by MIT physicist Max Tegmark. Put simply, the rise of machines as intelligent (and eventually more intelligent) than humans could potentially put human life and civilization at risk of extinction.

The creations of super-intelligent machines has been dubbed the Singularity by computer scientist Vernor Vinge, so named because, like the edge of a Black Hole, it is the point at which it is impossible to predict the course of human events because humans will no longer be masters of their destiny. Machines will.

Exactly when (or even if) the Singularity will occur is a matter of debate. Our efforts to build intelligent machines may hit a brick wall. But if progress towards intelligent machines continues unabated, you can be sure the debate regarding a "post-human" future that is currently a peripheral concern (at best) will take on increasing urgency. In such an environment, how will society react? Will people accept the fact that their destiny -- the destiny of their species -- may cease to be in their hands? Will they wish to pursue research that could destroy human life as we know it?

Some futurists think we'll happily welcome the prospect. Ray Kurzweil -- a popular proponent of the Singularity's benefits who is currently directing Google's artificial intelligence efforts -- has argued that since progress toward the Singularity will be incremental, people will be gradually socialized to the idea that the human race as we have known it for centuries will eventually be replaced by human-machine hybrids or simply conscious machines. The Singularity will come bearing gifts. First Google Glass, then Google Eyeballs, then Google Brain, then the uploading of "you" into the cloud for a life immortal, with nary a complaint along the way.

The less optimistic take sees at least some segment of humanity reacting negatively, and violently, against the coming Singularity. This scenario has been anticipated by computer scientists working in artificial intelligence. AI researcher Hugo de Garis for instance, wrote a book of speculative fiction positing a war between "Cosmists" and "Terrans" -- the former devoted to advancing the Singularity and the latter dedicated to stopping it at all costs.

Could such a war happen in the future? It's impossible to predict. But violent acts of sabotage and assassination directed at those working in companies and institutions deemed instrumental to creating a "post-human" future seem highly plausible -- even inevitable -- if progress continues. If Kurzweil is wrong and the rise of super-intelligent machines is viewed as more alien than benign, it won't be hard to convince people that their lives and the future of human civilization rest on stopping this work. People have killed over much less.

States, too, would take a keen interest in the progress of AI (indeed, they already have). In the scramble for geopolitical power and position, powerful states may view the race for AI as a new arms race, and take measures, such as preemptive war, to disadvantage their rivals.

So keep an eye on the Google bus fracas. It may symbolize a tragic irony: the "disruption" that so many tech firms pride themselves on may be coming. And it might not be pretty.

It is a consolidation of fears. Technological elites who:
1. Are often fabulously wealthy, doing things that don’t seem worth the money they receive, versus the person who got rich building stores or drilling for oil. You made a search engine - so what?
2. In collusion with government, such as Google and Microsoft giving email and Skype data to the feds. Big Data morphs into Big Brother. And they profit from it.
3. Open advocating of oppression and suppression by big tech. The Gates Foundation open to forced sterilization. Google’s involvement in censorship, despite a motto of “Do no evil”, from participating in Chinese censorship to deliberately down-ranking conservative websites. And Facebook taking down conservative sites on one single report while letting liberal sites use far worse language, advocate violence and even death to the infidels.

While I hear what your saying, the elites won’t be spared. At all.

Someone lower than them on the societal foodchain will quickly figure out how to interdict the food supply chain. NYC is what? Perpetually three days away from the food running out? Look at how easily de Blasio just sent a message to the upper east side by refusing to plow their streets. Then look at what Chris Christie did to Ft. Lee by shutting down a couple lanes on a bridge access ramp.

The truth is that well motivated and loosely organized (Internet) groups with access to heavy earthmoving equipment and semis could blockade and shut off the food to just about every major US city pretty quickly. Then the urban ferals would take over and the elites wouldn’t have a lot of good options for getting out. Local state and federal law enforcement would be quickly overwhelmed (local and state, even Fed, could also just walk away like the NOLA PD largely did following Katrina) and the Military couldn’t come close to plugging all the gaps ...

The true elites will be long gone in their helicopters to their island retreats.

do you really think Bill Gates would stick around Seattle if TSHTF?

I’m not talking about ‘the rich’, I’m talking about the people who run things. If most of the rest of us starved or got killed during unrest they’d probably throw a party. ‘Gaia Saved From Overpopulation!’

"How will you feed your family then?"

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Fend off the AIs and Robots and go back to family farming?

Will the AIs and Robots let us do that?

For the past few weeks, protests have been building against a private bus system used by Google and others in Silicon Valley... Google and other Silicon Valley tech companies have attracted the protesters' ire because sky-high tech salaries have led to sky-high real estate prices in San Francisco, pricing out poorer residents.

You think that's bad? Wait until Google starts paying their employees in Google Scrip, and they start shopping in Google Stores that only accept Google Scrip. Then see what the local merchants say!

What goes around, comes around...

-PJ

"Stick close to John Connor."

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*snicker* to a good reference. You may not be off the mark, T_Slim!

P.S. I really like the look of the house in post #1. I'm a fiend at looking at houses and throwing my opinion out there - I don't have any architectural training "but I know what I like when I see it"!

Mr. h and I live in a one story with a slant on one side of the house. I have no idea what it is called but we like it.

Maybe there is an AI who/which can give me the answer./s

Better learn how to build and control the machines then!!

There won't be a need for seven million machine builders and operators, let alone seven billion. Perhaps the Left's dream will finally come true and the machines will be so excessively productive that hardly anyone will have to actually work for a living.

Until the day the machines learn to resent us parasites and recycle us. :)

I don’t know, the people near Connor tend to get killed in droves.

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And, don't forget that damn "Hal" from 2001.

If AIs and robots have an attitude like Hal's, we better get some preparatory work done. Once Hal has the upper hand...I don't even want to think about THAT!

I still get a little creeped out when I power up the computer and it greets me by name and most advertising is in my city or state - it KNOWS MY NAME, MY CITY, MY STATE and whatever I order online!

It is probably reading my post right now = perhaps with NSA.

Nice computer, nice computer. Nice NSA, Nice NSA.

Computer/NSA, I don't mean anyone any harm. I like puppies and sunny days and everyone getting along with everybody else. Sure, I talk a big game sometime, but it is just swaggering talk./s

"Everyone talks about AI as if it will be neutral. It won’t be. It is being created by the liberal-left and will have a liberal-left worldview. That means the first on the list to extermination will be conservatives. They will threaten the AI world-view."

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Never forget HAL in 2001.

"How’re you gonna pay the taxes on Tara without ‘ready money’?"

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Hi, Black Agnes.

Yikes, how did I forget taxes?! Guess I was channeling Scarlet and will think about it another day.

I was thinking of farm times when people raised a certain crop and the community would barter for eggs, chickens, cows, etc. You know, the basic things people need. Like Scarlet made a dress out of curtains!

Damn taxes. I don't know how taxes/tributes will be taken but I'm pretty sure it will be brutal. Kind of like the taxes New Yorkers pay only a lot more.

And, if you horde gold or silver it will be confiscated anyway and you will still need to pay taxes. This tax thing is a real buzzkill.

"At least Hal will sing you a nice song while he tries to kill you."

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We only have to be faster than HAL.

Let there be a decree to all real persons ------> SPEED TAPDANCING is now a new Olympic sport.

All persons shall go to Speed Tapdancing camps on a regular basis to hone their skills. Kind of like being in the National Guard or military reserve units.

Got to go get new tap shoes this weekend - hope it isn't too late!

“Google and other Silicon Valley tech companies have attracted the protesters’ ire because sky-high tech salaries have led to sky-high real estate prices in San Francisco, pricing out poorer residents.”....

This statement is pure and unadulterated crap. Real estate has always been pricier in the Bay Area....location location location. And the ‘higher salaries’ have always existed through out the Bay Area because of places like Lockheed, Ames, the various universities, and all of the start up tech companies.

This stupid writer obviously knows nothing of the history of the area. It is always good to ‘blame the rich’. The truth is that Nancy Pelosi and Barbara Boxer make more in congress than most folks earn in tech companies.

Folks are just upset with Google because they actually do seem intrusive. Their photo cars have been the target for all sorts of mischief for a long time

Of course they will. The elites despise the rest of us. They’re not funding and developing this technology to make life easier for US, it’s to allow them to exist WITHOUT us.

The proclamations of sustainable life on the planet being fewer than 100m humans takes into account that most of the work won’t be done by humans. And once the elites decide they no longer need us...the fun begins.

It's like the old discussion I was in about how the Romans could have developed the steam engine from Hero's invention. The thing back then is human labor was plentiful and slavery was the norm so there was hardly any need for labor saving machines. The demand for machines did not really take off until the time of the Black Death when many people have died and the labor pool shrunk.

I’m reminded of the opening chapters of the Dune series that discusses such a possibility, the ensuing hostilities and the end result being the elimination of ALL digital technology.

I'm also reminded of the novel version of "Battlestar Galactica" where Caprica and the rest of the colonies had laws in place where most robotic labor was banned if a human can do it. However, I think that was also a reaction to the fact they were fighting the Cylons as well. I know this may not be a conservative/libertarian idea (although Milton Friedman favored it) was everyone gets a guaranteed living wage. My buddy and I discussed this one night and we were talking this could be the future, ala Star Trek. Everyone will got a basic living wage, basic housing, a basic car and so on and if you want more, like in Star Trek, you work for it. Switzerland is already talking about this. Perhaps this is not the solution we like but this may happen out of necessity if jobs go by the wayside along with more mechanization and automation.

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