TCD-CS-93-15 Algeo, D.

Unemployment - A Technologist's Perspective

September 1993.

Abstract

Is the search for a solution to the present unemployment problem too narrowly focused? The papers in much of the literature are written primarily from an economic perspective. Of particular concern is the minimal attention which is being paid to the significant changes that are taking place in society both within Ireland and internationally as a result of the deployment of labour displacing technologies. These changes are without precedent in terms of their scale, pervasiveness, and above all the rate at which they are occurring. The conclusions of this paper derive from the principle that when a technology is deployed minimal benefits are achieved and problems follow if insufficient attention is paid to harmonising the use of that technology with the work practices and lifestyles of people.
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