LogFAQs > #895143173

Except that even if we 'build machines' to do all that work, that still creates an entirely new industry or, at the very least, an increased demand on the industry. I'm not just talking about technicians, either. First, you need metal and other components to create the machines. That means you need people to mine them, people to transport them, people to work in the plants that build them. Then you also need things like precious metals, which again, require people to mine, transport, and convert them into usable products. Then you have a whole bunch of other companies that spring up to support those industries. Everything from international traders, to logistics companies, to the restaurants and bars that the miners eat at after work.

There would be an undeniable 'crisis' period initially, but that would balance out pretty easily in the long run once people have moved to new industries/locations. Even if we import many of those materials, you still need people to transport the products, to unload them, to maintain them, to organize and facilitate trade, etc. That means there are still a whole lot of unskilled or semi-skilled jobs created.