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RE: Debunking Pessimism About Automation: Global Inequality Continues to Collapse
1820s inequality WAS something to be worried about since it was mostly the result of government privileges granted to favored subjects. While it still exists nowadays (one could even say it's on the rise since 2008), it's nothing compared to 200 years ago.
As for automation: as long as the human spirit is free to roam and innovate, job destruction will never be a worry since new jobs will come to exist. Besides, machines have improved human condition so much, be it by keeping humans from doing back-breaking work or by improving productivity, thereby making products cheaper and freeing income for whatever else.
Very well said all around. 1820s inequality was unjustifiably the result of rent extraction by force from a ruling class. That's still a problem now, just less a total of all income so it's less noticeable.
Also agree that as long as the human spirit is free to innovate, we'll be fine.