Homeless and automation

Jan 18, 2024
Jan 18, 2024 Updated Apr 14, 2025
6

Editor,

We hear so much about the growing number of homeless people and what a problem it is. Yet, no one addresses the cause.

(6) comments

Jorg Jan 18, 2024 7:19am

Good points here! But we also have to wonder how many of the homeless are veterans and others as a result of the unnecessary wars that Bush jr. started, because some fantasy figure inside his head told him to do so?

Dirk van Ulden Jan 18, 2024 9:58am

Yes Jorg, I don't think Ray was referring to you. "Perhaps some of our colleagues with a solid background in economics will jump into the discussion." There were no homeless until Bush started that war?

Jorg Jan 18, 2024 12:43pm

Oh, Dirk! Of course, there were. But isn't the problem that homelessness is increasing?

And why would Ray refer to me, - I don't know where you got that from? Just searching for something, - anything, I suppose?

Dirk van Ulden Jan 18, 2024 5:07pm

No Jorg - it was tongue-in-cheek since Ray asked if there were contributors who had more experience with the associated economic homeless issues. Homelessness can not be pinned on any president in particular. It is mostly local politicians who have allowed this disaster to fester. Attorneys like this author only complicate matters and solve nothing tangible other than helping their status in litigation field.

Ray Fowler Jan 18, 2024 8:32am

Good morning, Emil

Automation has long been the Snidely Whiplash foil plotting against workers. And while technological improvements in the workplace are inevitable, no one generally wants to see workers shown the door.

Looking at the issue from an employer's point of view, rising costs can eat into the employer's profit margin which will make automation an attractive option to reduce the employer's biggest expense... payroll. With minimum wages being raised, some employers may feel automation is no longer an option but a necessity.

There are a lot of moving parts to this problem... I don't have the definitive answer. However, I think we start with an understanding that creating employment opportunities is a good thing. Perhaps some of our colleagues with a solid background in economics will jump into the discussion.

Terence Y Jan 18, 2024 10:47am

Emil, interesting take on a cause of homelessness being a lack of jobs. Since the unemployment rate is not 0% and the labor participation rate is not 100% I’d say that there are jobs available, just jobs that people may be unwilling to take. As for a discount for using a self-service machine, (following Ray’s lead) I’d posit that businesses using automation have performed the ROI and have come to the conclusion that automation, in whole or in part, is advantageous to their bottom line. If that’s the case, their costs are lower and these savings are potentially passed onto the consumer via lower prices, or prices not rising as fast as other competitors, allowing them to keep their doors open. Essentially, this is our discount. After all, especially in CA, with the price of labor increasing year after year and state employment taxes increasing, why wouldn’t a company invest in automation? It’d be interesting if the Daily Journal included a survey regarding automation or the percentage of people using self-service machines, in whole or in part, and in what arenas (grocery shopping, banking, fast food, etc.).

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