An unanswered question: Automation's effect on society: Little research has been done and few plans have been laid to ease the transition of developed industrial nations to a highly automated society

The small, stocky man in blue overalls picked up the welding torch, turned to the unfinished transmission casing on the workbench, and, with a slight nod, dropped the protective hood over his face. With a searing white light, the torch sputtered liquid metal a foot in all directions. After a few minutes, the worker passed the casing on to his colleague — a robot.