Chapter 10: Work and Wealth

A worker who provides transportation services through a ride-sharing application.

A self-employed individual who provides services to a client, but not under direct employer control.

An employee who works under direct control, direction, and supervision of an employer.

A way to work where the worker sets their own hours and often advertises their services.

Wage is set by the employer, and must include a minimum wage if applicable.

Earnings set by the app platform.

Charges set by an independent contractor.

Differing levels of employer control, wage determination, liability, and rights.

Tracking employee internet use, video surveillance, keyboard activity, phone use and emails for resource management and security purposes.

Tracking employee activity to assess and improve efficiency and productivity levels.

Tracking employee activity to detect and prevent inappropriate conduct.

Evidence suggests that monitoring may lead to employee dissatisfaction.

Automation lowers product prices, increasing demand for the product.

While automation may initially eliminate some jobs, it can create new jobs in related industries.

Higher productivity leads to a higher standard of living, unlike earlier eras with low caloric intake and intermittent work.

Work patterns in medieval or ancient times differed greatly from modern times, with lower caloric intake leading to seasonal, intermittent work.

In earlier times, workers might resist working if they had enough money.

Stuart, a software developer, cancels a vacation due to work demands and a delayed product update.

From a Kantian/Social Contract perspective, Stuart did not violate any promises or deceive anyone in cancelling his vacation.

The number of manufacturing jobs worldwide is increasing.

A framework for evaluating decisions by considering the consequences and weighing the potential happiness or unhappiness produced by various options.

The length of time an action or outcome will affect.

How likely is a particular outcome to occur?

How close in time is the effect?

The level of mixed outcomes or unanticipated consequences.

A framework for evaluating decisions based on whether the decision aligns with good character traits.

A field of computer science focused on machines exhibiting intelligent behavior.

The potential for machines to take over jobs traditionally done by humans.

Significant milestones in artificial intelligence, including computer-controlled vehicles, chess-playing computers, humanoid robots, robotic vacuums, self-driving cars, and AI defeating human champions in games like Jeopardy! and Go.

IBM's chess-playing computer that defeated the world champion Gary Kasparov.

An IBM supercomputer program that won the Jeopardy! game show, defeating human champions.

Google's autonomous vehicles logged over a million miles without accidents (caused by the car).

Google's AI program that defeated the world's top Go player in a multiplayer match.

Ethical dilemmas related to creating intelligent machines, considering their potential impact on human labor, morality, and use in potentially harmful situations.

Allows foreign workers to work in the US for up to six years. The employer must demonstrate no qualified American workers are available.

Allows companies to transfer foreign workers from overseas facilities to the US. Does not require paying prevailing wage.

Strong global competition, particularly from China in computer hardware production (90% of PCs) and IT outsourcing from India.

Unequal access to modern information technology (computers, internet) globally. Higher access in wealthier, well-educated, and English-speaking countries.

Differences in internet access among different countries/regions, often linked to wealth and infrastructure.

Differences in access based on factors such as age, education, and cultural context.

Between 1979 and 2011, manufacturing employment in the U.S. decreased significantly, from 19.4 million jobs to 11.7 million jobs, despite a 39% population increase.

Automation also led to job losses in white-collar sectors, including secretarial, clerical positions, and some managerial roles.

The average work week grew longer during the period from 1979 to 1990.

The expansion of the job market across international borders, influencing employment trends.

Unequal access to technology, particularly information technology, impacting different communities.

A social trend where a disproportionate amount of value flows to a small number of winners.

Information technology and automation contribute to higher output with fewer workers.

Technological advancements create new job opportunities, but may also displace workers in existing roles.

A worker who provides transportation services through a ride-sharing application, typically considered an independent contractor, not an employee.

A self-employed individual who provides services to a client or company, without the direct control of an employer.

A worker who works under direct control and supervision of an employer, who sets their working hours and pays wages.

Compensation set by the employer, typically including a minimum wage.

Compensation determined by the ride-sharing app platform.

Charges set by an independent contractor for their services.

Tracking and observing employee internet use, video surveillance, keyboard activity, phone use, and emails. Usually for resource management or security.

Tracking employee activity to identify inappropriate or illegal conduct.

Tracking employee activity to improve efficiency and work output.

Evidence suggests that monitoring employee activity can decrease job satisfaction.

Automation lowers product prices, creating more demand.

Automation can create new jobs while eliminating some, in related industries as demand rises due to lower prices.

Higher productivity leads to a better standard of living.

Work patterns in medieval/ancient times were often seasonal and limited by factors like low caloric intake.

Workers might resist working if they had enough money.

Stuart, a developer, cancelled a vacation due to work demands, in exchange for future benefits.

Perspective that Stuart did not break any promises when cancelling his vacation.

The number of manufacturing jobs is growing globally.

Modern workers generally work less than their counterparts 100 years ago.

Key milestones in artificial intelligence during this period, including self-driving cars, chess-playing computers, humanoid robots, and AI defeating human champions in games like Jeopardy! and Go.

IBM's chess-playing computer that defeated the world champion.

An IBM supercomputer program that won the Jeopardy! game show.

Google's autonomous vehicles that drove over a million miles without accidents.

Google's AI program that defeated the world's top Go player.

Ethical dilemmas related to creating intelligent machines.

This marked an early achievement in AI-controlled vehicles.

A humanoid robot known for its stair climbing abilities.

Commercial introduction of a robotic vacuum cleaner.

Autonomous vehicles completed a long-distance test in the desert.

Employees working from a location other than a traditional workplace, such as a home office or a telecenter.

Increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, improved morale, easier recruitment and retention, cost savings, and improved environmental impact.

Potential loss of managerial control, difficulty with face-to-face customer interaction, reduced security for sensitive information, challenges in team meetings, and potential isolation of teleworkers.

A work model characterized by short-term contracts, subcontractors, and temporary employees, often lacking company commitment to long-term employees.

An individual who completes short-term projects or jobs in various fields, often through service platforms like Uber or Airbnb.

Companies save money on benefits and can adapt to market changes (downsize) more quickly.

Workers gain independence and flexibility in their work schedule.

Workers may earn significantly less than traditional employees, facing competition with other workers.

Automation decreases product prices, increasing demand.

Automation can create new jobs in related industries, even as it eliminates some.

Higher productivity leads to a better standard of living.

Medieval/Ancient work was limited by low caloric intake, leading to seasonal and intermittent work.

Workers might avoid working if they already had enough money.

Stuart cancelled a vacation to accommodate a delayed product update.

Stuart's actions didn't violate any promises or deceive anyone, according to this perspective.

Globally, the count of manufacturing jobs is increasing.

Modern workers typically work less than their counterparts from 100 years ago.

Information technology's role in automating back-office tasks (e.g., payroll), improving manufacturing, and enhancing communication within businesses.

The use of information technology leads to flatter organizational structures, and eliminates middlemen in supply chains.

When interactions are inexpensive and fast, information flow becomes more flexible, resulting in flatter and more dynamic organizations.

Certain job categories like software engineers and computer support workers see higher demand, while others such as secretaries and file clerks experience lessened demand, due to automation and increased use of technology.

Jobs like cashiers, typists, and postal clerks become less in demand, due to increased automation in the workplace.

Employees working from a place other than a traditional office, like a home office or telecenter.

Increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, improved employee morale, easier recruitment/retention, lower company costs, and environmental benefits.

Potential loss of manager control, challenges for face-to-face customer interaction, security concerns, difficulties in team meetings, and potential worker isolation.

Companies using temporary or subcontracted workers instead of regular employees; often for cost savings and flexibility.

Someone who works on short-term projects or jobs, often through service platforms like ride-sharing apps.

Cost savings on benefits and easier adjustments to market changes/downsizing.

Independence, flexibility in work schedule.

Potentially lower pay and more competition compared to permanent employment.

Massive Open Online Courses, are online courses offered for free.

Software development teams spread across different countries.

The rate of college tuition increases faster than inflation.

Cost savings and having staff available around the clock.

Students in Massive Open Online Courses are less likely to complete them and succeed than in typical college classes.

Poorer infrastructure in certain locations can cause problems.

The principle that all internet traffic must be treated equally.

Creating a worldwide network of businesses and markets.

Charging different prices for different internet speeds or types of data.

Greater mobility of goods, services, and capital around the world.

Lowering costs of information technology.

Markets where a small number of firms have a very large share of the market.

Factors that contribute to winner-take-all markets include improvements in transportation efficiency, information technology (IT}, and the increasing importance of network economies.

Increased competition, job creation in developing countries, and potential for prosperity.

Concerns about job losses, unequal wages in other countries and dependence on global organizations.

Sharp drop in stock prices of internet-related startup companies in the early 2000s.