Why the Future of Work is Human + A
Imagine this: It's 1930 in London, and you need to wake up early for work. You’re not worried about missing your morning routine because, right on time, a knocker-upper arrives. Armed with a long stick, they tap persistently on your window until you're awake. For those on the upper floors, they might even shoot dried peas at the glass to make sure you’re roused! Strange as it sounds, this was a genuine profession before alarm clocks became affordable and reliable. Today, it’s almost laughable to think of hiring someone just to wake us up, but back then, it was indispensable. It’s a perfect reminder that many jobs we rely on today might one day seem just as unusual. Image coursey: Wikipedia. A knocker-up in Leeuwarden , 1947 The AI paradox When reliable alarm clocks came along, the job of the knocker-upper naturally faded away. Back in 1914, The Guardian even published a piece lamenting how “the cheap American clock” was “killing the industry” in London. Doesn’t that sound fa...