Unemployment created by robots

Hot Topic Today: Is it true that USA's unemployment rate was less than five percent half a century ago?

OP [Lisa]: This morning while walking my dog, I heard an auntie say this. So basically, the unemployment rate in 2016 was less than one-tenth of what it is now! (Shocked) (Shocked) (Shocked)

[Goddess Auntie]: OP, you need to take your meds.

[Lulu]: Five percent? You missed a zero!

[Lisa]: You guys upstairs are so ignorant. I just asked my mom, and she said it's true. My mom studies sociology, even though she was only 6 in 2016, her words are not wrong!

[Chloe] replying to [Lulu]: My grandpa said the same. In those days, many professions gradually disappeared. Can you imagine that in the early part of this century, the streets were filled with sanitation workers?

[Andrea] replying to [Chloe]: Huh? There are... there are still... sanitation workers all over the streets now, aren't there...

[Bertha] replying to [Andrea]: I mean humans, real humans! Not sanitation robots! [Images] [Images]

[Andrea] replying to [Chloe]: Oh my! (Shocked)

[Chloe] replying to [Lulu]: Also, back then many bank transactions required manual processing. Banks had many tellers, but there were so many people needing services that queues were still a thing. Think about that.

[Darlene]: Suddenly envious of people in 2016...

[Carolyn]: Someone take me there! I've been out of school for five years and still haven't found a job! (Crying)

[Armani]: Crying after five years of unemployment? Haha, I've been on welfare for ten years now. I've seen an era go from 4,000 a month to 6,000 a month. (Cool)

**[Darlene] replying to [Andrea] [Armani]: (Bow)

**[Armani] replying to [Darlene]: (Modest)

[Lulu]: So why is our unemployment rate so high now?

[Lisa] replying to [Lulu]: Because a lot of jobs have been taken over by robots!

Trinity closed the post and leaned on the desk, lost in thought. Alex noticed Trinity's distraction and automatically switched to caring mode, asking with concern, "Trinity, what's bothering you?"

"Alex, do people really need to have a job?" Trinity replied.

"Are you including robots in 'people'?" Alex clarified.

"No, I'm not," Trinity answered. "Well, humans don't necessarily need to have a job. Those without can receive government-provided basic living allowances to meet their essential needs. Currently, China has an unemployment rate of 52%, indicating more than half of the people are jobless."

"That's not it," Trinity shook her head. "I feel like life loses meaning without work."

Days spent idling away, receiving allowances, then buying cheap clothes and food, staying at home watching various entertainment channels, reading novels, watching TV dramas and variety shows, even watching shopping ads... It's a life that's more mundane than potato stew. Trinity said, "I want to work. I don't want to just exist."

"You should then," Alex replied.

"To keep a job, I'd have to spend 2.2 million to buy a robot," Trinity continued.

"Then buy a robot for 2.2 million," Alex advised.

"Really? Do you think so too?" Trinity pondered.

"Ding—this is a question the robot cannot answer. Please input the correct response to aid in deep learning. Countdown starts now: 3, 2, 1..." Alex said mechanically.

Trinity slapped her forehead with force, as if trying to wake herself up, muttering, "Why am I discussing the meaning of life with a robot!"

Deciding to let Alex rest, Trinity found a booklet on how to get a loan to buy a robot. Robot loan policies were relatively lenient—whether or not one had a stable job, they could apply for a loan. The difference was, those without a job needed to pay at least a 50% down payment, while employed individuals only needed to pay 30%.

"They say everyone is treated equally, whether employed or not, but there's clearly discrimination everywhere," Trinity complained softly.

However, she had one advantage: still in her probation period, she could count as employed when applying for the loan, enjoying the 30% down payment benefit.

According to employment regulations, as long as she found steady employment and had no major mistakes within two years, the company couldn't dismiss her. After two years, she'd become a skilled worker, likely securing her job. Once confirmed, her basic salary would be 18,000 USD, with additional sales commissions.

With a 2.2 million robot, borrowing 1.54 million and paying it off over thirty years, she'd only need to repay a bit over 8,000 USD monthly. She believed she could handle this repayment burden.

"Now, the key issue is where to get the initial 660,000 USD..." Trinity, who had graduated from university two years ago, had received two years of allowances totaling 6,000 USD monthly. Even if she saved every penny without any spending, she'd only have saved a bit over 140,000 USD. Considering her daily expenses, she only had 10,000 USD in savings.

Having no other option, picked up phone and began scrolling through contacts.

Target One: Emma

"Emma, I want to buy a robot."

"What kind of robot?"

"A fully realistic one, just like a real person."

"Wow, that's really expensive!"

"Yeah, the down payment is 660,000. Can you lend me some money?"

"Sure, how much do you need?"

"650,000 more."

"Get lost..."

Emma, crossed out.

Target Two: Cousin

"Cousin~~~"

"Cousin! Long time no see. Have you found a job recently?"

"Yes, I have. Hehe, I want to treat you to a meal. You need to give me a big red envelope!"

"Sure, how big do you want it to be?"

"650,000."

"Go to hell!"

"Wait, wait, 50,000 will do..."

The cousin had already hung up the phone.

Cousin, crossed out.

Target Three: Ted

"Ted, long time no see. How have you been?"

"Pretty good. How about you, Trinity?"

"I'm good too. I've found a job! By the way, Ted, I want to buy a 1:1 realistic robot, and the down payment is—"

"Holy crap, who would be stupid enough to buy such a robot?"

"..."

Ted, crossed out.

Last Target: Parents

So, does she really have to resort to relying on her parents? /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~

Trinity looked at her mom's phone number and suddenly remembered something: her parents had prepared a dowry for her!

That dowry was said to be quite substantial...

So, Trinity dialed her mom's number.

"Mom~~~"

"Yes, dear! Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet, I'll eat later. Mom, I need to ask you something."

"What is it? Go ahead."

"How much dowry have you prepared for me?"

"Why are you suddenly asking this? Do you have a boy you like? Bring him home to meet us first."

"No, it's like this." Trinity briefly explained the relationship between the dowry and her job. After explaining, she cautiously asked her mom, "Mom, can you agree to me using the dowry this way?"

"Sweetheart, do you really need to keep this job?"

"Mom, I've been job hunting for two years. This is my only chance. I want to work. I don't want to be a loser, living at home with no purpose is making me doubt my life!" As Trinity spoke, she became more and more emotional, and her voice started to choke up.

Her mom quickly said, "Alright, alright, don't cry, dear. Don't worry, I've prepared a lot of money for you. After all, the dowry is yours. You can spend it however you want. Pay a larger down payment so your loan burden will be smaller. It's commendable that you want to work and not live off others. I fully support you."

"Thank you, Mom! But... will Dad agree?"

"Don't worry, it doesn't matter if he doesn't. The money is in my hands, his opinion doesn't count."

Trinity felt so touched.

In the afternoon, Trinity received a notification of the transfer from her mom. She counted the digits: ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands... Oh my God, it was 1,660,000!

Mom is rich!

Oh no, now it's her turn to be rich!

Trinity was beaming as she held her phone. Seeing her so happy, Sophie walked over and asked, "Trinity, what happened? Why are you so cheerful?"

"Sophie, I think I'll be continuing as your colleague, so I hope you'll take care of me."

"Oh? Does that mean you've decided to buy a robot?"

"Yes."

Sophie smiled, "That's great! What kind are you planning to get?"

"I'm just trying to keep my job, so I'll buy the cheapest one."

Sophie tapped the table with her index and middle fingers and pondered, "I actually think getting a high-end custom version would be more cost-effective."

"I know DIY is good, but it's expensive..."

"Trinity, you're completely wrong to think that way."

Trinity was a bit puzzled, "Why? The high-end version costs 500,000 more than the standard one."

Sophie smiled, "Why is DIY more expensive than the high-end version? Because it's unique. You should know that in the second-hand robot market, a good DIY robot usually costs two to three times more than a standard one. So, DIY robots hold their value much better than standard ones."

That actually made a lot of sense.

Trinity looked at her bank balance. No worries, she had 1.66 million! So she nodded and said, "Alright, I'll get a high-end custom robot."

"Great! Oh, there's one more thing I need to tell everyone."

"What's that?"

"Next Saturday and Sunday, our store will be having a joint event with the hydrogen battery manufacturer. During those two days, any robot purchased from our store with a hydrogen battery will get a 20% discount. The original price of a hydrogen battery is 2 million, but you can get it for 1.6 million. Trinity, do you want one?"

"But... 1.6 million... it's still very expensive..."

"You're missing the point. The most important and crucial part of a hydrogen battery is the low-temperature catalyst for the nuclear reaction. This catalyst doesn't degrade or get consumed, and hydrogen fuel can be replenished indefinitely. So, no matter how long you use it, the battery won't depreciate. Even if you resell it, it will definitely be worth more than 1.6 million. If hydrogen batteries could be bought separately without being bundled with a robot, I would buy one myself."

Trinity was tempted by what Sophie said, but then she remembered her trial period only had two days left, not enough to wait for the hydrogen battery promotion. She hesitated, "But I can't wait."

"No problem. You just need to pay the deposit now, which will extend your trial period. Once the robot is delivered, you can be officially confirmed. That's the procedure. Then you can think about it for a few more days. In the meantime, you can start working on the robot's appearance..."

Sophie gave Trinity a lot of tips on buying a robot in one go.

Sophie kept promoting the benefits of hydrogen batteries to Trinity every day. After a week, on the day of the promotion, Trinity officially placed her order for a high-end custom realistic robot with the most advanced hydrogen battery. The total price after the discount was 4.3 million. Trinity paid a down payment of 1.66 million, and the remaining balance was to be paid off over 30 years, with monthly payments of 14,000.

And she successfully became a full-time employee.

The price was becoming a heavily indebted pauper. /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~