Does Peter Rickaby have subjective dyslexia concerning my observation of robotics replacing humans at work? (Letters, April 19) He should relax his unhealthy obsession with Red Robbo and Machiavellian complexities of the 1970s and consider the impact of Robby the Robot today.
Not unlike Robby the Robots’ master Morbius in Forbidden Planet, the elitist collective unconscious of Westminster threatens to destroy further any remaining ability for altruistic social cohesion among the working class.
The fictional sophistication of Robby is yet to become reality, but in the 20th century mechanisation replaced much labouring work and threatens all working environments in the 21st.
Now this is the important part: profitable companies around the world threaten to replace their workers with robots if they get too “greedy” for a living wage.
Father of the First Industrial Revolution, Richard Arkwright, utilised automation and cheap labour in his factories.
Just as back then, today’s politicians fail to counter such selfish profligacy with socially inclusive policies that benefit the working class.
Regarding a beloved Labour Party, there’s no such thing, Mr Rickaby, because they don’t represent humanitarian ideals. Ironically, it was that genuine gentleman Tory, Harold Macmillan, who aspired to a leisure society.
Tom Scaife, Manor Drive, York.
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