Technology, in the form of capital, will win over labor as the primary factor of production in the near future [1]. There is no shortage of STEM labor [2], only a shortage of extremely skilled knowledge workers willing to work at bargain basement prices.
The only workable solution involves a state redistribution mechanism, which depends heavily on the politics of your nation. Some nations already have excellent safety nets, others not so much. Best to prepare for the future now, than be caught in an ideological war between the wealthy as they decide the fate of the less fortunate.
Most readers here have the ability to emigrate to a nation with excellent social welfare systems. Look for low crime rates, healthcare, education opportunities and low costs of living.
Conversely, if you are an upcoming or current millionaire/billionaire, the world is your oyster. Just remember that death smiles at us all, so it may be worth giving Craig Venter (et al.) some money [3].
The problem is that we're not talking about a safety net anymore, but a solution for a permanent reduction in the workforce. That's something entirely different, more daunting, and perhaps unsolvable.
> Most readers here have the ability to emigrate to a nation with excellent social welfare systems. Look for low crime rates, healthcare, education opportunities and low costs of living.
I don't think you can get all of that in the same place (especially not low costs of living, if you do get the rest). At least in Europe, the richest countries/cities also have the highest costs of living.
The only workable solution involves a state redistribution mechanism, which depends heavily on the politics of your nation. Some nations already have excellent safety nets, others not so much. Best to prepare for the future now, than be caught in an ideological war between the wealthy as they decide the fate of the less fortunate.
Most readers here have the ability to emigrate to a nation with excellent social welfare systems. Look for low crime rates, healthcare, education opportunities and low costs of living.
Conversely, if you are an upcoming or current millionaire/billionaire, the world is your oyster. Just remember that death smiles at us all, so it may be worth giving Craig Venter (et al.) some money [3].
1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/review-the-second-mac...
2. http://spectrum.ieee.org/at-work/education/the-stem-crisis-i...
3. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/business/in-pursuit-of-lon...