IF we are in a Recession/Depression, WHO is going to buy the "latest" technology...

**MRAHoffman** · 01-10-2009, 10:05 AM

making the companies grow. In starting the topic "Save a job" several people commented on we need to support technology based, not "customer service" jobs, but I would like to know for the past ? how many years we have become such a throw away society in such that we would support new technological advances by buying new technology (new video gaming systems, new cell phones, new computers, ipods, leasing new cars every 2 years, new TVs etc) not because the one we had no longer worked, BUT because the new item was the "latest and greatest" but in a "new" economy where people are becoming smarter with their $ not to mention with people losing their jobs and just can't afford it, who is going to SUPPORT the purchase of thereby supporting the technology of the "latest and greatest"...not me...I say we need to invest in our people and no, not everyone is going to be highly educated, but we may once again obtain 3 class levels (wealthy, middle income and poor) rather than 2. And while I agree that to some degree the unions were greedy, they DO have a purpose as far as equal pay, good working conditions, reasonable benefits (and yes, you can kick me now, but being an almost 4 year breast cancer survivor, I support nationalized healthcare where EVERYONE pays into it based on a sliding scale and how much you make so that both healthy and sick are in the same pool rather than the sick having to pay 10 times more than the healthy as I got news for you, while I am now healthy, the REALLY sick can't work/afford it which would lower the cost, BUT I also feel there needs to be more attention spend on preventive healthcare rather than healthcare AFTER the fact). We NEED to make things again and yes, we CAN have FAIR trade, not to mention why can't these international companies support where they sell and sell the items they manufacture in (if you build in China, sell in China, if you build in US, sell in US...saves on shipping, etc sell the products based on the cost to make them in that country). Ok, I have a playdate with my son of my

now. Take care and God bless.

**shadowfax** · 01-10-2009, 11:03 AM

part of the problem is Planned obsolescence. Technology is designed to break after a certain time period so that the consumer has to go out and buy another one.

Gone are the days of built to last.

Americans also want to have high paychecks but cheap merchandise. It's all a glamor and makes us look fat and wealthy to those in other countries when really all we have become is fat and lazy and greedy.

Part of the problem in the service industry is finding people who actually want to work. In a world that is focusing in on job cuts and unemployment the restaurant and other services are actually having difficulty getting fully staffed. I have been working double shifts for he past year covering holes in our staffing as have most of my co workers because we cannot find people who will work.

Young people and some older ones all want to sit behind a desk all day doing nothing much and getting big paychecks while those who sweat and get dirty and work hard get very little pay and long hours on their feet. Seems like this should be reversed. I have literally had trainees come in one day and not come back the next.

Simply because they want big money for no labor.

Attitude has a lot to do with the problems in the world today.

2 Timothy 3:1-7 says it all....
But know this in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.
People will be lovers of themselves,Lovers of money, self assuming, haughty,blasphemers,disobedient to parents,unthankful, disloyal,having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers without self control.......

**MRAHoffman** · 01-10-2009, 11:14 AM

many things you mentioned are SO true and points very well made. Well, I guess the younger (younger being whatever you want) generation will learn before THIS crisis is over...sorry they will have to learn the hard way. Take care and God bless.

**elphie** · 01-10-2009, 11:16 AM

I was actually one of the people who commented about technology based job creation and I stand by that view for several reasons...

1) Even in a recession the market continues to demand technology. I agree that many people get hung up on having the latest gadget that isn't really much of an improvement over its predecessor, but that isn't always true. Sometimes the new technology is truly creative and those that can afford are able to take advantage of the innovatiion.

2) It is not only the private consumer who benefit from technology. Corporations are constantly looking for ways to be competitive through many avenues; price, service, product, etc. Companies willing to take advantage of technology will fare better in the long run. Which leads me to...

3) As companies become more reliant on technology we must be ready for this innovation as the potential employee. If you wish to work you must be able to work with technology.

4) Finally, the global economy demands that we stay competitive technologically. There are many reasons our economy is in recession right now that include everything from consumer irresponsibilty to corporate corruption. However it is also because we refuse to move forward technologically in some areas. Innovations in car manufacturing have made cars safer and more fuel effecient in recent years. Guess who's cars are rated safest and the most fuel effecient- not ours. Guess who's auto industry is still managing to stay in the black during a recession- not ours.

5) Finally, a service is only worth paying for if I can't do it cheaper and easier myself. This entire website is dedicated to doing it ourselves- we don't pay people to make our clothes, food, cleaning products and more because we can do it ourselves. If I avoid technology because it may displace a job I suppose I should also avoid home cooking because the restaurant workers will suffer, I shouln't garden because farmers will suffer, I shouldn't use vinegar to clean my windows because the Windex people will suffer. I DO use self checkout sometimes and other times, especially when I have produce to be weighed, I go to a cashier because that is useful to me. If you want to be paid for a service then provide a service I can use. It is not the consumer's responsibility to save jobs, it is the producers responsibility to create jobs the consumer can't do without. JMHO

**MRAHoffman** · 01-10-2009, 12:27 PM

I don't disagree that those NOT willing to embrace technology will be left behind, but with corporations (MY company has put a hold on many new technology upgrades as well as have requested back non NECESSARY...and necessary they mean...cell phones, laptops etc as a cost cutting measure) and with far FEWER people/companies purchasing from these technology companies, how are they to invest in research and development thereby putting some level of stagnation into place? Thank you for your thought provoking input...keeps me on my toes

**Gardengal18** · 01-10-2009, 12:51 PM

We don't plan on buying anything new for quite some time. We are able to make due with what we already have.

**elphie** · 01-10-2009, 02:01 PM

MRAHoffman- I also enjoy these discussions- "A productive exchange of ideas" is what my dad would call it.

I see your point that fewer technologies will be needed but fewer services will also be needed, it really is just an issue of where different people place their priorites. thankfully people's priorities are as diverse as the market and some will choose to continue spending on service while other choose to continue spending on goods. I think the real downturn comes about because people will now have to choose instead of enjoying BOTH.

Thanks again for the thought provoking posts- I do enjoy it up here on my toes

**MRAHoffman** · 01-10-2009, 02:04 PM

I think the real downturn comes about because people will now have to choose instead of enjoying BOTH.

I know, people won't be able to have their cake and eat it too.

**MRAHoffman** · 01-10-2009, 02:16 PM

Cool CES electronics, but will anyone buy them...

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/news_stor...03861&catid=14

**Grayce** · 01-10-2009, 02:35 PM

I am one of those people who think if it ain't broke don't replace it. I try and make do with what I already have.
I don't have a big/flat screen TV because my old TV's are fine and what would I do with them if I got a new TV?

I am still using my 1996 model stove because it works fine. I would not consider replacing it because it doesn't have a ceran top.

My appliances are all white, not the trendy stainless steel.

My washing machine is a old top loader not a front loader that are all the rage now.

I did not rush out to buy a new iphone when they came out because there was nothing wrong with the phone I have.

But I personally know people that have replaced all these things because they have to have the latest and greatest. I think those people will always be out there.

**McD** · 01-10-2009, 07:36 PM

Uh, just popping in with my psa of the day: Not all young people are afraid of hard work and want to sit behind a desk all day doing nothing, but earning a paycheck. Stereotyping sucks.

**shadowfax** · 01-10-2009, 10:21 PM

I did not say all young people.

Heck I see this trend also in older people.

consider this as I am seeing from my point of view as a 37 year old. So to me young people is late teens early 20's and older can mean my age.

Not all technology is bad no. If I had issue with technology I would not be talking to you all right now.

People just need to learn to keep things in their proper place. materialism is not a good thing. But then I really cannot find most of the members of this forum to be materialistic either. My comments were on the world in general not anyone here or specific.

**McD** · 01-10-2009, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Young people and some older ones all want to sit behind a desk all day doing nothing much and getting big paychecks while those who sweat and get dirty and work hard get very little pay and long hours on their feet.

Shadowfax, this is the statement that lead me to make my stereotyping psa. My apologies if I misread it.

**fixer** · 01-10-2009, 10:50 PM

Seventy-five years ago, labor was cheap and technology was expensive. Now unforetunately, the situation is the opposite. I have been in several factories and seen where robots are being used in the place of people. Most times it is because machines can have a level of precision that a person cannot have for an entire shift. Sometimes, I is for menial material handling jobs that cause repetitive movement injuries. Technology will continue to displace workers as we move forward.

I believe that we stand on the cusp of a change in our economy that will rival the industrial revolution. People left the fields to get good paying jobs in factories. Now, we have fewer than three percent of workers involved in agriculture. Our economy will adapt to market forces and thrive once again. I confess, however, I do not know where the jobs will come from to replace the ones we are losing. Service, retail and manufacturing have been artificially inflated with spending that was not sustainable. Even if we continue to want to, we simply cannot continue spending at this pace. We do not have the wealth to do so and credit will be tight due to an overreaction to the lax standards that perpetrated this problem.

I have faith that we will overcome this situation the same as we have in the past. What concerns me is that we now have people who have never had to sacrifice. I am not sure we possess the meddle to overcome this problem.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 01-11-2009, 12:42 AM

As long as it is being made and marketed to the general public, people will buy any type of new technology that they can get their hands on. Not every region of the country/world is in a recession and even if they are, there are some sections of that particular country or the world that aren't feeling the recession as much as the others.

Grayce summed it up very nicely.

I like having new technologies but I'm also very smart in when I get it and how much I spend on it. If it's something I need, I'll look for it in a way that's easy on my wallet but still provides the industry with room for growth. I believe that many of this generation (being mine) will learn to live with what they have... all in due time. The people with expendable income are the main market that a lot of companies want to tap into. As the economy tightens and some people go back to more thrifty habits, the people with expendable income will still be there.