Well, under a capitalist system, automation or not benefits the rich anyway. And it's human nature to want to progress - necessity has nothing to do with it. You can try to stop progression (for example, during the dark ages) but eventually it will continue on. The only way to stop it is to wipe out humanity altogether.
Yes, this time we will be left with a net loss of jobs. That's why this time we need to rely on a new system such as UBI.
This isn't like the dark ages. The rich having all the power, and the mass having none is going to be terrible. Yes, it is already like that in some regards but the rich still need laboures, so we still have some influence. If a robot can do most jobs what will our use be? We will have nothing to offer, and will lose all our influence. We will be at the mercy of the rich. This isn't progress that will be positive.
I was using the dark ages as an example of how those in power tried to stop human progression and ultimately only delayed it.
Regardless if it's positive or negative, there's literally nothing we can do. There is no going back from where we are. We just have to push forward.
I personally believe we need to become a multi-planet species - that way there should be more work but the biggest thing we need to do is slow down our population growth.
Overall, theres no actual solution to this problem. UBI is an attempt at fixing it, but ultimately Earth will end up like that in the movie Elysium. It's morbid, but reality.
Yeah it's true. I'll personally try to get off the grid and away from society. I'm worried where it's headed
That is 100% an option but we'll have to wait and see how the future actually unfolds :)