Stephen Hawking has pointed out growing inequality in wealth distribution and the tie to many technological advances. While technology has boosted the economy, the majority of the money goes to wealthy owners and very little reaches the average worker. The loss of blue collar jobs has forced many workers to turn to lower paying positions.
Similar things have happened in the past, as innovation often affects a select few. When the cotton gin was invented, Eli Whitney aimed to make harvesting cotton easier. In theory, this would help not only plantation owners, but small farmers. In reality, the cotton gin secured all new wealth for the upper class and the boom in the economy didn't reach anyone else.
http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/12/news/economy/stephen-hawking-technology-inequality/index.html?iid=ob_homepage_tech_pool&iid=obnetwork
Bob Cummins, 6th Period- Interesting synthesis! This is very true of Hawking to say. The technology is making inequality, but it is also providing many people with new opportunities to get education and work.
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