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Perhaps unsurprisingly compared with his feckless predecessor, Canute was one of the most effective kings in English history. His reputation was such that he was able to get his daughter married to the man who would later become Holy Roman Emperor. Not bad for a "barbarous" Dane.
Such a ruler attracts the flatterers that naturally gravitate to a powerful royal court. The chronicles tell us that King Canute had his throne erected on the shore of the sea, and commanded the tides not to rise. Of course it did and the king admonished his courtiers, telling them to put not their faith in the commands of mortal men.
Alas for the degraded age in which we live, with politicians so much less wise than Canute. Miguel posts about how New Your City Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to ban robots:
True, but what he is really doing is commanding the tides not to rise. You see, New York State passed a law raising the minimum wage to $15/hour:What he is talking about is increasing the costs of doing business. That makes America less competitive on the global market. Which in turn will harm American businesses.To try and save some jobs from being lost to robots, he is going to cost America many more jobs when companies can’t be cost-competitive and go under.
As part of the 2016-17 State Budget, Governor Cuomo signed legislation enacting a statewide $15 minimum wage plan that will lift the earnings of more than 2.1 million New Yorkers, in all industries across the state.Well, businesses do what businesses do when the cost of one of the factors of production rises - they look for substitutes that are cheaper (hence, robots). Oops, unemployment goes up! Dang, the tide is coming in and everyone's feet are going to get all wet and their shoes will be ruined!
But have no fear, gentle reader! Mayor de Blasio is on the scene to command the tide not to rise! All is for the best in the best of all possible worlds!
[Sigh]
You'd think that these morons would learn from the past, but you'd think wrong.
I think very few of us who blog know Dr. Pangloss or read Candide. I'd be surprised if there was still a school in America that requires reading Voltaire.
ReplyDeleteThe Curley Effect in action?
ReplyDeleteIf the business that don't like the new rules or can't afford them all leave, those who stay are easier to control later.
OK then lets bring back all those jobs that have already been replaced by "robots".
ReplyDeleteElevator operators used to manually drive elevators in NYC.
Telephone operators were needed to connect phone calls. ( and no more cell phones )
You're going to need a carriage driver, and someone to cleanup after the horses.
and don't forget someone to shovel coal into your furnace.
Just How many "Roborts" do you want to eliminate Mr Mayor??? Maybe you should ask AOC how this is all supposed to work. You can write her a letter ….. just as soon as you locate your Quill. She should get it next month.