I'm fascinated by new technologies and how they are innovated into new ways of working and living.
This is a steam traction engine for #monochromemonday by @old-guy-photos It was the cutting edge of technology in the 1900's.
It might surprise you to learn that the steam engine was around for over 125 years before anyone thought to put some wheels on one so that it could move around under its own power.
"Think about that, 125 years passed, before someone thought to put it on wheels. Not exactly a speedy transition by today's standards, where products are obsolete before they even leave the drawing board let alone the factory"
Most steam engines were either static or dragged into a field by brute force. Fired up and then worked with. Like this threshing machine.
My question is. How can we innovate our current technologies today for new ways of working and living?
The arrival of steam technologies threw a lot of people out of work. This is a recurring theme throughout history as capital (machines) replaces labor.
The pace of technological innovation is accelerating.
What work will be left for people to do in the very near future?
The upside for some is that we may get more leisure time to think up new ways of working, living and occupying our time.
Have a great week folks.
I think it is our political systems that need to keep up. They are all pretty antiquated. If we took better care of each, technologies could set us free:)
There is a movement here and in Canada I believe, to give everyone a living income regardless of whether they work or not. Plus they want to tax robots if they put people out of work; to pay for it.
It gets talked about anyways but I don't think there is enough political will behind it ... yet. Probably make more sense to supply free and quality housing first.
Housing misallocation is the biggest problem that many people face.
There are plenty of empty properties. This needs attention and could help so many people.
I think housing and food should be a human right.
Housing is a human right.
At least in countries that have signed up to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Although the way the UK government is acting. They seem to have forgotten this fact?
I think there is a disconnect in theory and practice with most countries. But we will get there:) Our convo here inspired somewhat my latest write:)
Soon there will be cars controlled by a robot. And the profession of the driver will not be in demand. Thank you for the good article. Good luck !!!
This is true. In just a few years time all driving jobs will be autonomous.
There will be millions of drivers out of work pretty soon.
Our state purchased Drones (unmanned aerial vehicles).
The pilots will not have work either.
Yes these changes will affect many highly skilled people.
Yes as we see the rise of the machines, robots, and AI, the future is incredible and a bit scary as well.
Of course as I say all that, the bloody comment has not posted in 3 attempts! Will go to Busy.
It's a slow as treacle in winter for me too. My new fibre optics is working OK though lol
That's a social and economical conundrum with all of our innovation. Service jobs are being delegated to touch screens, warehouse work is being robotized...at some point we will need to be asking, "Just because we can, should we?"
"Just because we can, should we?"
That is a very good question indeed. If people have no work or way to earn money.
How are companies going to find anyone to buy their products?
Machines certainly do tend to be replacing us in the work place.
Thankfully, I have a meaningless job that should be safe for some time and I am happy for that. :D
All work is valid. I'm sure your work means something to many? For example:
Who's work keeps most people healthy. Doctors or garbage collectors?
I see what you mean. :D I actually love my job, so long as my coworkers are behaving. lol
You made good photos and videos. You reminded people that they need to learn all the time! Thank you!
We will have to learn new things and skills in order to work in the future.
I agree with you. But to study is a great work. You must have perseverance and desire.
Plus you have to make sure to study the things that will add value.
This will destroy many art and music courses as people focus on getting 'skills'?
You're right. Technologies are developing. Therefore, we need to adapt to live well!
This is true. Adapt or there will be no work for many.
It's not just unskilled labor either. Some highly skilled jobs will and already are being done by machines. Even medical procedures!
You're right. Today, a heart defibrillator was shown on TV. The defibrillator prolongs the life of many people.
And they are also portable these days. Saving more lives. Innovations like this are most welcome.
Great photo! I love seeing those old steam machines! The Rock River thresheree takes place just up the road from my house, and includes a parade of all sorts of old steam engines. There is a pile driver and a steam train ride, - it is quite an event. Pretty amazing how far we have come.
And in such a short time really! They look quaint now but once these steam engines were cutting edge technologies.
The Rock River event sounds good. :)
They were! My grandfather used to take me to the Thresheree 50+ years ago, and the stories he could tell! My great grandfather lost his arm in a threshing machine.
Wow that's amazing to hear. Losing an arm was very common injury because people were not used to working with these new fangled machines.
In the UK losing an arm in a threshing machine was so common it became a 'saying'.
Interesting blog. But, actually, it might surprise you to know that the steam engine existed in ancient Greece, credited to have been invented by Hero of Alexandria. 😜
Take a look at the source quoted above :) I think you will see that I covered it thoroughly elsewhere already and didn't see the point of repeating it here, when I could just add the link. Hero was indeed the first.
Haha 😄 "was the cutting edge of technology in the 1900's" Wow! How time and progress move on! One day soon our ipad will look like an 8 track tape. I'm feeling older already 😉 But seriously, thanks for making me a little bit smarter about a different kind of "steam."
You're still using an ipad? lol rockin it old school.
It's really amazing how people were able to discovered those amazing technologies that made our life so easy.
It changed just about everything that those people knew and how they lived.
It made goods so much cheaper and improved the diets of the poorest people. It had many upsides for sure.
You have a minor grammatical mistake in the following sentence:
It should be its own instead of it's own.You need a grammar lesson.
'it's' is correct. Possessive case.
I know it's not important, but for what it's worth, the bot is indeed right.
It's = it is
its = possession of it
This is an exception from the general rule of possessives, similar to how you would say his and not he's when talking about something he possesses.
Like the man in orthopedic shoes. I stand corrected. :)