I’m told (or I’ve read), for I’ve not actually read him on this, the Marx believed that, through class conflict, history would move us to a regime where the state would whither away and we could once again live an un-alienated existence, if not in our ‘natural’ state, something very like it. Isn’t that what artificial intelligence (aka AI) promises us, if not something very like it (at least in some versions)? The machines take over the bulk of the physical and mental drudgery and we’re left to...what? Socialize? Play?
I’ve read that in the very simplest societies, hunting-gathering bands, that substance activities require only two hours a day from adults. How do they spend the rest of their time? Socializing, telling stories, singing songs, play? Isn’t that what UBI (universal basic income) is about, giving people the time to socialize, tell stories, make art, craft pots, knit scarves, weave baskets, and so forth, play?
If that’s the case, we aren’t ready? There’s values, or course. There may be value and dignity in work, but not in the bullshit jobs that so many of us have. UBI should liberate us from that, and wherever such jobs remain beyond the reach of AI they should be appropriately compensated (i.e. as hazard pay).
What about education? What about restoring the arts and crafts to primary and secondary education and expanding their scope.
And so forth.