Why are people giving mathematicians such delicate treatment? When steam-powered looms elimnated thousands of textile worker jobs; farm machinery took farming from roughly 50% of US labor in mid-1800's to 2% today; coal mining mechanization eliminated 80% of US mining jobs from 1920 to today; automated phone switches eliminated the entire profession of switchboard operators; etc. Even low tech improvements such as standardized containers for ocean transport eliminated thousands of jobs as longshoremen were no longer need to load and offload each item.
Does anyone bemoan these improvements?
I have seen hundreds of accounts receivable and accounts payable jobs eliminated as software developers created programs that could do much of their work faster, more accurately, and cheaper. Did the software development community bemoan the lost profession ap AP/AR Clerk? No, they bragged about the increased efficiency and cost savings.
Why are we bemoaning that technology is making PhD mathematicians less necessary? What is the goal, a better understanding of the world around us or employment for select professions?
Does anyone bemoan these improvements?
I have seen hundreds of accounts receivable and accounts payable jobs eliminated as software developers created programs that could do much of their work faster, more accurately, and cheaper. Did the software development community bemoan the lost profession ap AP/AR Clerk? No, they bragged about the increased efficiency and cost savings.
Why are we bemoaning that technology is making PhD mathematicians less necessary? What is the goal, a better understanding of the world around us or employment for select professions?