By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    data science anayst
    Growing Demand for Data Science & Data Analyst Roles
    6 Min Read
    predictive analytics in dropshipping
    Predictive Analytics Helps New Dropshipping Businesses Thrive
    12 Min Read
    data-driven approach in healthcare
    The Importance of Data-Driven Approaches to Improving Healthcare in Rural Areas
    6 Min Read
    analytics for tax compliance
    Analytics Changes the Calculus of Business Tax Compliance
    8 Min Read
    big data analytics in gaming
    The Role of Big Data Analytics in Gaming
    10 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The ticket puncher on the train
Share
Notification Show More
Latest News
SMEs Use AI-Driven Financial Software for Greater Efficiency
Artificial Intelligence
data security in big data age
6 Reasons to Boost Data Security Plan in the Age of Big Data
Big Data
data science anayst
Growing Demand for Data Science & Data Analyst Roles
Data Science
ai software development
Key Strategies to Develop AI Software Cost-Effectively
Artificial Intelligence
ai in omnichannel marketing
AI is Driving Huge Changes in Omnichannel Marketing
Artificial Intelligence
Aa
SmartData Collective
Aa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Uncategorized > The ticket puncher on the train
Uncategorized

The ticket puncher on the train

StephenBaker1
Last updated: 2010/05/15 at 2:30 PM
StephenBaker1
4 Min Read
SHARE

DSC01750 Waiting for a train this morning, I read a story from yesterday’s Times on my iPod. It was about a secretary in Jacksonville, Fl., who types at an impressive 120 words a minute–and cannot find work. Workers manage their own information now. They type emails. They book flights on Orbitz. She works parttime for a third of her former salary as a cashier at Wal-Mart.

I write this on a New Jersey Transit train to NY. I just paid $14.50 for my roundtrip. That’s up from $11.50 since May 1. Reducing the deficits at NJ Transit is one response to the state’s dire fiscal crisis.

So I pay this money to a conductor who pulls a sheath of tickets out of his pocket and proceeds to craft my return trip ticket with his puncher. This is an information tool that predates the secretary’s typewriter, and even the telegraph. As you can see in the picture, to enter $14.50, he needed to punch three times: once on $10, once on $4, and once on 50 cents. This recalls the sophistication of the abacus. I count …


DSC01750

More Read

cloud computing and robotics

How Cloud Computing And Robotics Play A Role In Industrial Automation

3 Big Data And Automation Resolutions For Entrepreneurs In 2019
Peak Irony: Interpersonal Skills In The Age of AI Are More Vital Than Ever
3 Ways AI In The Business World Can Lead To Industry Improvement
Is Robotic Process Animation The Next Evolution Of Big Data?

Waiting for a train this morning, I read a story
from yesterday’s Times on my iPod. It was about a secretary in
Jacksonville, Fl., who types at an impressive 120 words a minute–and
cannot find work. Workers manage their own information now. They type emails. They book flights on Orbitz. She works parttime for a third of her former salary as a cashier at Wal-Mart.

I write this on a New Jersey Transit train to NY. I just
paid $14.50 for my roundtrip. That’s up from $11.50 since
May 1. Reducing the deficits at NJ Transit is one response to the state’s dire fiscal crisis.

So I pay this money to a conductor who pulls a sheath of tickets out of his
pocket and proceeds to craft my return trip ticket with his puncher. This is an information tool that predates the secretary’s typewriter, and even the telegraph. As you can see in the picture, to enter $14.50, he needed to punch three times: once on $10, once on $4, and once on 50 cents. This recalls the sophistication of the abacus. I count 10 holes on my ticket alone.

The question, of course, is how a society can keep employing people like this. Or, if we don’t, what happens to those of us with these archaic skills? I recently returned from Germany, where I bought tickets in machines and
rode conductor-less trains. It makes sense. They save money, and every
once in a while sent through inspectors to bust freeloaders. At some point, they fired their ticket punchers. I wonder where they went next, and what they’re up to now…

Now I’m writing a book about a machine that not only could write
tickets, but also answer all kinds of questions about travel, and just
about everything else. It’s a knowledge machine that understands language. It and its kin will be
replacing humans at a breathtaking rate over the next decade. In this environment, many of us with skills that seem a whole lot more competitive than punching tickets will be scrounging for work in niches safe from machines.

Link to original post

TAGGED: automation
StephenBaker1 May 15, 2010
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn
Share

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

SMEs Use AI-Driven Financial Software for Greater Efficiency
Artificial Intelligence
data security in big data age
6 Reasons to Boost Data Security Plan in the Age of Big Data
Big Data
data science anayst
Growing Demand for Data Science & Data Analyst Roles
Data Science
ai software development
Key Strategies to Develop AI Software Cost-Effectively
Artificial Intelligence

Stay Connected

1.2k Followers Like
33.7k Followers Follow
222 Followers Pin

You Might also Like

cloud computing and robotics
Cloud ComputingITRoboticsSecurity

How Cloud Computing And Robotics Play A Role In Industrial Automation

8 Min Read
big data and automation
Data CollectionMarketing

3 Big Data And Automation Resolutions For Entrepreneurs In 2019

6 Min Read
interpersonal skills in the age of AI
Artificial IntelligenceExclusive

Peak Irony: Interpersonal Skills In The Age of AI Are More Vital Than Ever

6 Min Read
AI for industry improvements
AnalyticsArtificial IntelligenceBusiness IntelligenceData Management

3 Ways AI In The Business World Can Lead To Industry Improvement

5 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

ai in ecommerce
Artificial Intelligence for eCommerce: A Closer Look
Artificial Intelligence
giveaway chatbots
How To Get An Award Winning Giveaway Bot
Big Data Chatbots Exclusive

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US

© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?