This is slowly happening to our world. the bottom 60% so of workings are being pushed out of the way by better efficiently and automation. Soon we will not be able to exchange work for pay and will not be needed. but what then? does the top 40% support the former workers. If a massive portion of the world is no longer needed as workers then we will eventually, will fall into even further economic downfall and will again rely on support (money, food, shelter) just to survive.
it can be a scary thought. Just as waking up and finding that my son no longer needs a father of my wife a husband or my employer no longer needs a worker. Even if I can fill my other needs of food, shelter ect... I would still feel an emptiness if I could no longer be a supportive part of somebodies life. All this reminds me of a saying on a TV show I use to watch "If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy"
@deadmoonwrites The impending transition that you refer to is intriguing to contemplate. In my view, it is simply a continuation of the process beginning many thousands of years ago when hunter-and-gatherer societies became more agrarian. The further evolution of humans involves greater and greater amounts of leisure, with simpler tasks becoming automated by technology. I do not believe this implies mass unemployment, or the need for the working class to rely upon the upper class. Instead, it signifies a paradigm shift in which
The wealth of the entire planet "increases" in a manner which will eventually obsolete poverty [as we know it presently] due to the fact that there will be so much abundance.
Individuals, families, and organizations will have much greater ability to pursue that which they are passionate about without so much fear of financial failure.
The world becomes gradually more humanitarian and there is a growing consciousness that "We're all on the same team" which allows people to be of even greater service to each other.
In short, I believe that while there will be many growing pains as much of our labor becomes able to be performed by robots and other automatons, humans will have the chance to become greater visionaries, leaders, thinkers, and faithful stewards of a beautiful planet which we have often taken for granted and/or mistreated. There will always be a way for people to be useful and helpful. We will all discover new skills and talents previously unknown as our lives change drastically over the next century.
P.S. Important to mention is the pressure inherent in this change. Humans must discover and embrace our competitive advantage over machines. That does mean that, in general, low-skill labor becomes depreciated in value. In order to compensate for this, we must develop much better education to cultivate the inherent genius of every human being. Right now, much "education" is mere propaganda and enslavement. Here's an article that presents an interesting take on the Economic and Social Consequences of Robotization written in 2016.
While I agree with this it is the 'paradigm shift' that is going to cause the largest hurdle due to well, humans and their penchant for greed. However, it is also possible that an AI could create an argument and simulation so compelling that almost no matter who one is, the shift would be possible. It doesn't take all to understand, just a super majority perhaps.
As much as I want freedom to do 'as I please', I also have the view that a life of purpose is constrained by responsibility and there is no greater than understanding the self enough to realize it requires building healthy relationships with others.