If past revolutions in technology are anything to go by, the benefits will flow to capital and the ruling classes and the costs will be visited on labour and everyone else.
Toyota is relaunching the Scion brand, and its first product is the KEI-01, a tiny truck with a 660-cc engine. The KEI-01 is basically a rebadged Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo, but will be assembled in Princeton, Indiana. Initial sales will be via a fleet-focused trial program, but limited retail sales could come if there is strong enough demand.
this may be obvious, but perspectives like this ignore the subjugation of the worker, a force that exhausts the mind and soul completely. this “frugal”way of living soon becomes the only of way of living, which gives way to constant fight or flight. what kind of life is that?
Multiple roommates. Ramen noodles. Near public transportation. Respect to the people who do whatever it takes.
I worked as a bartender. Bar-back. $2.15 an hr plus whatever tips got shared. Worked at a retail store. Never had benefits at any job.
Had 5 roommates in a 3 br apt. Ate lousy food out of cans and ate a ton of peanuts and shit food at happy hour. Had credit cards ripped up. Etc.
But I learned a ton. Taught me what was right and wrong about running a business by watching my bosses and their bosses
Yeah I know. It was much easier then, when inflation was 15 pct and national unemployment was 10 %. I know I was fortunate when I finally got fired from the store, and had to start my own business with zero cash. Bill collectors everywhere.
Even luckier when I found my first customer so I could pay my bills
But I recognize it’s so much harder today.
Which is why I respect the people who are willing to do what it takes to get started
Communists who have no illusions, who do not give way to despondency, and who preserve their strength and flexibility ‘to begin from the beginning’ over and over again in approaching an extremely dificult task, are not doomed (and in all probability will not perish).
— V.I Lenin