"Manna is meant to be a thought-provoking read or conceptual prototype rather than an entertaining novel (see exploratory engineering for more on such writing). The novel shows two possible outcomes of the 'robotic revolution' in the near future: one outcome is a dystopia based around US capitalism and the other is a utopia based upon a communal and technological society in Australia. Essentially, the two differ in that lower-class humans in the dystopic society have been left unmodified and are controlled by AI "managers" to the point of slavery, while humans in the utopian society more directly and efficiently participate in the management of the society as a whole and most or all willingly accept implanted AI aids."
Yeah, was definitely getting flashbacks to that story while reading the article. It's a very obvious next step in a lot of service-industry workplaces--I really wish our philosophy would catch up with our tech.
In the real world there won't be a thoughtful entrepreneur who saves everybody. I can clearly see that bleak future happening and I am frightened how we are going to deal with the consequences.
Historically, having a large and growing poor population is a recipie for revolution. Which is not to say the poor will revolt just that as you concentrate weath society becomes less stable and the poor are often used by those with some power who want more power.
From Wikipedia:
"Manna is meant to be a thought-provoking read or conceptual prototype rather than an entertaining novel (see exploratory engineering for more on such writing). The novel shows two possible outcomes of the 'robotic revolution' in the near future: one outcome is a dystopia based around US capitalism and the other is a utopia based upon a communal and technological society in Australia. Essentially, the two differ in that lower-class humans in the dystopic society have been left unmodified and are controlled by AI "managers" to the point of slavery, while humans in the utopian society more directly and efficiently participate in the management of the society as a whole and most or all willingly accept implanted AI aids."