Chapter 2: Abundance, Asia and Automation

Chapter 2 Abundance, Asia and Automation

Introduction

• Middle-class of the 1970’s.The goal was to go to college
• Professional jobs were obtained by attending higher education courses
• Traditional gatekeepers: PSAT, SAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT. Success is determined by answering questions in a timed situation.
• This system rewards left-brained thinkers.

• Trend is shifting towards right-brained thinking

Abundance

• An abundance of discount stores that offer goods at lower prices.
• A new standard of living where everything is in abundance.
• Designs and products that are available to all. Ex. Designer toilet brushes, major designers now selling goods at chain stores.
• A new focus on spirituality, purpose and meaning verses a struggle to get by day-by-day.
• Pink’s Big Question: Candles. Why do people still buy candles if we have electricity?

Asia

• Knowledge workers face competition from outsourcing.
• Computer programs are replacing traditional jobs:

• Big idea. Taxes. How many people make an appointment to see an accountant verses logging onto an online tax program? What will happen to all of the accountants?
• The difference in salaries paid to US workers makes it more of an advantage to outsource to other countries. Why pay someone$1,000 when you can pay only $300 for the same outcome?
• Outsourcing is a great way for companies to cut on costs, but how are workers going to adjust to keep their jobs?
  

Workers must transition to right-directed thinking in order to compete in the job market. What skills or talents can they offer?

Automation

• The legend of steelworker John Henry. The man that was outdone by a machine.
• The machine was faster and can recover more quickly.
• 

Man vs. Machine

• Computer vs. man in the game of chess.
• Chess is a game of left brained thinking: memory, analysis and reasoning are essential skills.
• Computers can complete the left-brained task faster and without the interference of human error:
• Headaches, emotion, fatigue, margin of error, etc.
• Routine type of jobs can be completed faster and with more accuracy when done by computers.
• The effects on white-collard workers:
• The changing role of doctors: online programs now available as a way to diagnose and determine a treatment plan.
• The changing role of lawyers: online programs to seek legal advice. The ability to access and download legal documents.
  

Office Visits vs. Online Programs

• You must make an appointment
• Office fees per visit
• Fees for time spent by lawyer preparing documents ∑ Available to anyone online at anytime

• WebMd for health advice about symptoms
• CompleteCase.com
• Lawvantage.com
• (Pink pg. 46)

Conclusion
To compete in the technological world, workers must excel at tasks that cannot be done by computers. To compete, individuals will have to transition to right-brained ways of thinking and performing.


Pink, D.H. A Whole New Mind. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005.
John Henry
www.postalmuseum.si.edu/.../BIGjohnhenry.jpg
May 10, 2008