No matter what level of automation we achieve, there will always be a place (such as a dark room) for "hands-on" craftsmanship. Such work can be rewarding...even stimulating..
Owen,
I think the jury is out on your premise.
When I met my wife, I was working in the Photo Finishing industry in NYC.
I walked up to her and said, "Excuse me! My name is Fred. You look really pretty. Let's step into my Darkroom, and we can see what develops".
Now things are so much more advanced, more sophisticated, more learned, on a much higher plane.
Now they send their fake avatars around. You see a pretty gal on your i droid or blueberry, and you text, "
WHADDUUUPPP!You send your picture, not of your face, but of your stomach muscles.
She types to your stomach 6-pak, Wanna live together as Friends with Benefits? Major stipulation though! Toilet seat must be down when finished in bathroom.
"Well I have a stipulation too, ya know. Will you drink beer from a can that does not have that extra air vented pouring hole?"
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
The next text says, "GOTTA GO!"
Owen, I really wonder about the continuation of growth in the new versions of software.
Fred