Will the High Tech and Emerging Technologies Workers Become the new Middle Class?

[GearHeadDave]

Originally Posted by EvilEyeFleegle

For many, life is good right now, economically. While there is a lot of concern over stagnant wages and the like..employment is high and some sectors, notably High Tech, have made gains. My question?
Is a lot of what we are seeing as economic dislocation a direct reflection of the changing workplace..into a less labor intensive, more cerebral place and, will this result in a technical/intellectual elite as the new Middle Class?

I think we will find that they will indeed become the new Middle Class - but that the Middle Class will be a lot smaller. We don't need 100 million workers in high tech. The underclass will continue to grow exponentially.

You don't mention that fact that many people do not have the aptitude to work in a "cerebral" workplace as you put it. These people in previous generations had opportunities to work on assembly lines or farms as laborers, and were still able to make a reasonable lower middle class living. In the brave new world that you describe they will have little opportunity to contribute to society.

[s1alker]

The issue is not everyone has the aptitude or ability for certain types of work. Trying to fit everyone into a STEM mold will definitely end in failure. It's just that there is less and less work available (that pays a living wage) that someone who is average/below average can do. I can see a permanent welfare underclass existing in the future. Heck, we're already seeing it. There are whole towns where many of the people are on welfare or disability from cradle to grave.

[s1alker]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

That's a bit of a contradiction in terms. If they're elite, they won't be middle class. I'd say they're the new upper middle class, like doctors and lawyers used to be. Or still are.

Being a family GP provides a nice middle class living but it's hardly rich. I have some friends who went to med school who have tens of thousands of dollars of debt to pay back. They did not have rich parents.

[EvilEyeFleegle]

Originally Posted by GearHeadDave

I think we will find that they will indeed become the new Middle Class - but that the Middle Class will be a lot smaller. We don't need 100 million workers in high tech. The underclass will continue to grow exponentially.

You don't mention that fact that many people do not have the aptitude to work in a "cerebral" workplace as you put it. These people in previous generations had opportunities to work on assembly lines or farms as laborers, and were still able to make a reasonable lower middle class living. In the brave new world that you describe they will have little opportunity to contribute to society.

So then..is the answer to cut the work week while keeping wages the same. A 32 hour work week..at 40 hr wages?
Studies have shown that the drop-off in production would not be that much...and those companies with 24/7 needs can hire more.

Provide jobs for aimed at lower-skills segment..like Oregon does with making a gas attendant mandatory?

Provide more leisure time as a bonus...and an opportunity to work two jobs if one wishes to?