Anselmo Ferreira Vasconcelos

Disruptions caused by Technology: are they more trials for Humanity?

Under the tutelage of Jesus - Spiritual Governor of this world - souls endowed with high intelligence and ability have consistently helped in human progress. In fact, our civilization has undergone major changes and transformations over the millennia. The discovery of fire, iron, and writing, among countless others, are clear signs of the overcoming of human limits always looking for a better physical existence. In this sense, the progress achieved is remarkable, especially considering the speed at which they are being generated, particularly from the middle of last century onwards. For everything we have achieved and developed, it is undeniable that we have entered into another level of knowledge and applications.

However, we should recall that "The purpose is to reach a full progress. However, people, and individuals as well, only reach it gradually, step by step. It can happen too that while they do not develop their moral sense, they may use their intelligence to do evil. These two forces, morality and intelligence, only reach a balance with time". (780b issue of The Book of Spirits).

Thus, when the development process does not properly contemplate the moral imperative, an imbalance scenario of inequities and grievances is created. With the advent of the computer age – precisely with the ENIAC computer in 1946 -, the changes have been enormous, especially those related to the professional area. Indeed, photos of the offices in the 60’s showed hundreds of people crowded up doing their work almost mechanically. Telephone switchboards, in turn, portrayed dozens of women receiving calls and simultaneously plugging the cables into panels in front of them. Assembly lines of factories were a separate chapter given their characteristics and arrangements. 

The role of work in human progress 

Anyway, we must recognize that in that period of History, the worker, the laborer, and the executive, were less appreciated than today. The families were formed and, despite the difficulties due to a low salary and income, they all managed to survive and even succeed. Parents were very proud when their children could go to university. Such a feat represented a safe prospect of new achievements and accomplishments for individuals. There was, so to speak, room for everyone through the blessed work.

Indeed, the importance of the labor law has been duly clarified by Allan Kardec in issue # 676 of the mentioned The Book of Spirits: "Why does man have to work? The reason is that it is a consequence of his physical nature. Although it is part of his expiation, at the same time it is a means of man improving his intelligence. Without work, man would remain always in his childhood, regarding his intelligence. That is why his food, safety and well-being depend on his work and activity. To the extremely weak body God gave intelligence in turn. But it is always a work"(Emphasis added).

Thus, before Spirituality work plays a vital role in the creatures’ progress. It would be wise, therefore, that considering the corollary of failed human experiences - I refer to the cyclical crises that affect the working world always producing harmful consequences to people and their lives - the creation of job opportunities should have already been considered a moral obligation in this sphere for all that it represents; however, this is still not the case. To illustrate this point it is worth mentioning a study by the Pew Research Center focusing on the generation of the millennials (young people between 18 and 34). The results showed that for the first time in 130 years, young people are choosing to continue to live with their parents, among other reasons due to financial constraints or lower wages. In short, a precarious labor remuneration level at present does not allow, at least for many individuals in this age group, the necessary conditions to constitute their own families or to have financial independence. 

The nightmare generated by technological progress 

Technological advances have also not been effective enough to help correct such distortions, on the contrary. In fact, its effects and impacts have been especially tragic for skilled workers. As highlighted in another study recently published by the International Labor Organization (ILO), entitled "ASEAN in transformation: How technology is changing jobs and enterprises" (available at: <http://www.ilo.org/public/english/dialogue/actemp/ whatwedo / aseanpubs / report2016_r1_techn.htm>) involving nations of southeast Asia, many industrial sectors and a contingent of 632 million people, "technological advances and innovations are challenging the existing order". For the authors, jobs - particularly those related to activities that require low-skilled and belonging to sectors that demand intensive labor - are doomed to be disabled by technology and global supply chains. Such a framework is, in their view, highly challenging demanding precise interventions.

The current technological progress is creating a nightmare not only for the workers considered less qualified (lower-skilled workers), as suggested by the results of the above study, but also - and here a clamorous paradox is identified - for the most skilled workers (higher- skilled workers). According to news published by the magazine Epoca Negocios, exaggerated automation - arising from the use of very powerful software - is threatening even the financial market professionals, who work on Wall Street. Therefore, prominent industry organizations should significantly reduce its physical facilities, for example, Goldman Sachs.

Professionals, who performed almost "handmade" analysis and projected likely scenario are being replaced by computer programs that generate extremely fast responses. Incidentally, in the Brazilian banking sector there is a battle between the two major players for the possession of a more digitized institution concept. It is not difficult to deduce that the interest is to reduce fixed expenses with agencies and people, leaving to the customers-consumers the obligation of increasing their operations on internet or smartphones. It only remains to say: "Come to our branches as little as possible or even never". 

Consequences of the collapse caused by the advances of technology 

The frenzy of the new technological discoveries has already produced software able to write journalistic texts, though not very complex - which menaces the professionals of this area - at least for now... Another striking example is the almost demented quest that some companies are doing to develop a car without a driver. Imagine what would it be life for the taxi drivers of cities like Sao Paulo or New York to be prevented from earning a living? Some might argue that they can be prepared to accomplish other functions – in the same manner as other workers strongly affected by the disruption caused by technology⁽¹⁾ - as if this would be something easy to perform, especially in areas where the moral factor is set aside.

The situation is so alarming that the creator of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, author of The Fourth Industrial Revolution, among other works, expressed his concern by stating that "New technologies are accelerating changes in the nature of work [a provider apparatus, it should be emphasized, for the intellectual, moral and material development for the incarnate Spirit]: until 2020, almost half of the professions may be affected by the advances in robotics [in absolute detriment of those who have to work to at least survive]. As these changes occur at an unprecedented speed, governments and business will have to promote the necessary changes in a wide range".

Although Schwab goes directly to the heart of the matter, unfortunately, we are not aware of any initiative that is being taken to reduce this collapse. Apparently, even international organizations, such as ILO, are passing at a distance of the topic. The interest is even lower when it comes to governments. We hardly see debates and deeper discussions about this issue, not even in the academic sphere. More insightful reviews of the consequences - caused by this state of things - are scarce in the vast scientific literature on business ethics. It is also surprising to note the neglect of the trade union movement about such an active subject. In short, the seriousness of the problem was not yet detected or it did not cause any interest in the groups that should precisely act to reach plausible and balanced solutions.

Suggesting sensible ways to address the issue, Schwab notes that "We should consider the machines as a complement to our efforts in helping to build a more prosperous, including and sustainable world. Innovations should be used to benefit all mankind. "And he ends his considerations proposing that we need a "fourth ideological revolution, centered on the human being, to help us find values ​​that are the basis for our collective future".

What shall we do about the progress of technology?

Considering the uncontrolled and inhumane way in which technological development is being implemented on the planet, it is clear that only a few privileged groups benefit - nothing more, nothing less. If this scenario continues to prevail, it is evident that we will have a resurgence of poverty and marginalization of the masses. It is therefore urgent that governments and international organizations focused on labor take specific measures to ensure that the problem is at last solved. We are not suggesting that there is a recess regarding technological advancement. But it is perfectly reasonable to imagine that we could postpone some of them in certain sectors. Moreover, laborers can undergo permanent training and capacitation, and those affected by this situation can be relocated to other areas, but under a decent pay and appreciation.

In short, what I suggest is that technological advances always serve the interests of all Humanity either through specific laws or general principles. To this end, it is essential that the monitoring of relevant initiatives should be done with all strictness. After all, we still live in a world where there are strongly present feelings of selfishness and indifference. As very well observed Schwab, "increased productivity cannot be the only goal of the fourth industrial revolution. I believe it will also be a revolution of values, which will include ideas such as engagement, purpose and inclusion in our economic focus".

In my opinion I consider that this is a great opportunity to go a little further. In this sense, what I propose is that technological development also encompasses the reality of the Spirit and its evolving needs under the auspices of love, solidarity and compassion. The true human progress necessarily involves the acceptance of these virtues, so that the institutions also fulfill their role. Otherwise, you can only envision more trials for Mankind.

As pointed by the honorable Spirit Joanna de Angelis in the work Glorious Days (a psychographics of Divaldo Franco), "Knowledge and feeling joined harmonize wisdom, which is the highest achievement that a human being should reach, i. e., the intellectual and moral plenitude as emphasized by the noble Encoder of Spiritism, Allan Kardec”.

⁽¹⁾ Disruptions meaning: ruin, collapse, break.