Is this a thing of BEAUTY or what?! Replacing cheap labor with technology means HIGHER-PAYING JOBS!!!?

Question

See this link:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/06/robo_picker#

Before answering, remember that enforcement of our immigration laws in the 1960's led to automation in tomato-harvesting. To this DAY, automation (provided by well-paid engineers, rep's, marketing specialists, techs, etc) is so much cheaper than manual labor, NO MAJOR GROWER is using labor, today!

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Thanks Fathead and Maxx P. Is either of you familiar with the statement by the Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that 'Even the most casual observer can see that the South has marvelous possibilities, yet in spite of these assets, segregation has placed the whole South socially, educationally and economically behind the rest of the nation." His inference to weaknesses that fester from an addiction to cheap labor stands as true now as ever.

Thank you so much Sigy, Gomanyes and all answerers. I must say, Goman.. that we have certainly accomplished a great deal. Why? Factor in the reduced birthrates of developed nations and the equation you outlined balances itself.

Sigy: Good to see you on my questions, again. Keep me inline (I'll reciprocate the favor...promise!...hehe). The least I can do is provide you with the link I found recently of an ag specialist discussing the tomato-harvests and how the laws (honestly I don't recall specifically which law he mentioned) resulting in reduced numbers of migrants made technologies relatively affordable. Thanks, both!!! Hey, who cared if we disagree. Are we not free to speak our minds and realize where our views are identical? And isn't that as valuable to our civil construct as finding all who agree with us?

Daniel F - Daniel F - Daniel F... Did you bother to read the link you sent?

"Abstract: Trade barriers can cause output to be diverted to other countries and into other products. We study the effects of voluntary price restraint (VPR) on Mexican tomato exports entering the United States.

The diversion effects of the VPR are statistically and economically significant – representing nearly three quarters of the direct effects of the trade barrier. When the VPR was binding, Mexico exported more tomatoes to Canada, while Canada increased their exports to the United States. The VPR also causedfresh tomatoes in Mexico to be diverted into paste production, which was then exported to the UnitedStates."

"Relatively few Mexican growers produce tomatoes for export to the United States, and they use more capital-intensive production technology than do firms that produce for the domestic market (Calvin and Barrio, 1998)."

Capital-intensive means Mexico uses automation, too. Hello?

Answer 1

I have been saying that for years. The reason this machine and others like it were not already invented and in production is because it was much cheaper to hire exploited labor.

Now the only labor involved will be that of the operator and the mechanic.

Those people will have to be paid well and may actually contribute to the economy.

It is a thing of beauty.

Answer 2

Replacing cheap labour with technology means higher capital costs, service costs, and usually higher energy costs.

It often does increases productivity but you have to be careful and honest how you measure productivity.

Automation may mean more higher paying jobs for the people building and servicing the equipment but if there is not increased productivity and increased demand for the increased production than there will not be more employment at higher wages.

Supply creates it's own demand in general but it doesn't have to do it in a way that benefits society.

And I don't know for a fact that enforcement of your immigration laws in the 1960s lead to automation in tomatoe harvesting. Maybe it did. Did Americans benefit with higher quality/cost tomatoes? Did it help America's ability to export tomatoes or farm equipment?

Edit: thank you someone. As a matter of fact I do believe that automation (labour saving) can benefit us as a society and it has in history more than not.

But I feel that I have to point out that it is not Gospel that it Must happen and we can also see times where automation did not give the promised benefits.

Answer 3

Automation in the Auto industry did not keep Auto plants in the United States, Did it ! The leader in robotics development is South Korea and Japan. Will those higher paying jobs go to American technology, or Asian technology.
Those invention do not weed, transplant,etc you will still need cheap labor.

If automation in the tomatoes Industry was so successful.

Why is the United States importing $900 million of fresh tomatoes from Mexico in 2007 and C$327 million import of fresh tomatoes from Canada ?
That is not counting processed canned tomatoes .

Answer 4

That is a great idea and I hope it works out. I am sure glad that Chavez failed in his quest to stop automation. They should be subsidized for all the money saved by the state in costs to schools and other social services.

Answer 5

Thanks. I had wondered when this was going to happen. Optical feedback control systems have matured enough to take care of any job like that. The beauty is they can work 7 days / week, 24 hours per day, no holidays..... It is the way of the future.

Answer 6

Yes, technology means higher-paying jobs, but it means LESS higher-paying jobs. As the lower paying jobs are eliminated, the average pay of the jobs that are left goes up. So we haven't really accomplished anything, because a low-paying job is better than unemployment.

Answer 7

Yes, as soon as someone comes up with an effective strawberry picker...not much need for illegals anymore.

Answer 8

what a brilliant idea first we should try the milking machines on you to make sure it is safe to use on the cow.
second the berry picking machines can open up more minimum wage jobs that the illegal "stole" from you.

Answer 9

YEP, GO AHEAD AND SPREAD THE WORD