essay 2

Pete Carper

Dr. Mulliken

Engl 1113

11 Oct. 2011

Job Outlook

            In his article “Are Jobs Obsolete?”, Douglas Rushkoff, a writer who primarily focuses on the future of the American economy, argues that technology is replacing jobs. This article is featured on CNN’s online website where it is viewed by a very large number of fans and critiques every day. Rushkoff’s audience is comprised of mostly an older generation with substantial incomes. With that information, we can logically come to the conclusion that most of these people are well educated with a college degree or even higher.

Rushkoff says that because technology is becoming more advanced and user-friendly businesses like the U.S. Postal Service, a corporation employing over 600,000 people, are now in danger of being shut down. Rushkoff explains that since it is becoming significantly easier to send things electronically like emails, bills, and other forms of communication, “people are sending 22% fewer pieces of mail than they did just four years ago.” Unfortunately, Rushkoff explains that the U.S. Postal Service is not the only company in danger. EZpasses are now rendering toll collectors obsolete and this is costing many employees their jobs. These facts that Rushkoff is bringing up are arguments of logos. Rushkoff is connecting the EZ passes and Postal Service to people being put out of work.

Rushkoff uses pathos in a very specific way in he beginning of this article. He tactfully brings up the story about the U.S. Postal Service to make people sympathize for others that might be out of a job. Rushkoff uses this example about the Postal Service to make you more emotionally connected to the story. Instead of just starting off by telling you the facts, Rushkoff uses this story to get the readers interested in the subject matter. Rushkoff knows that you are far more likely to care about the subject matter if you have a story to relate to.         

Rushkoff argues that people have worked from the beginning of time but the idea of jobs was only created when the idea of the corporation came about. When people worked in the Renaissance era they only worked for themselves; creating goods and selling them to other people. Rushkoff says since technology has become smarter and more efficient, there are not very many jobs needed to run this equipment. Rushkoff argues, “We need to change our ideas: its not about jobs, its about productivity.” He suggests that instead of making products as a job, we can now have jobs that exchange information-based products. Rushkoff continues by saying we don’t have to rely on big companies to have a job because technology is allowing us to create our own work.  This information is another way Rushkoff uses logos. He rhetorically compares renaissance era to newer corporations and says that because the work environment is changing we must change with it.        

Next Rushkoff asks the question, “Since when is unemployment a problem?” Most people, according to Rushkoff, do not actually want jobs. People simply want the money and the benefits they provide. Instead of having productivity as a goal, we are now making employment the goal. Rushkoff states that employment is the goal because America is not in need of more stuff: it is able to feed and shelter everyone in it. Employment is the goal because it is a way to distinguish who deserves that stuff. Rushkoff uses logos to create this argument. He provides a theory, which is well constructed and makes sense and to back that theory up he provides specific examples. Rushkoff’s uses the example of America being a productive nation. He says that America is so productive and efficient that it could feed and shelter everyone in it with only a fraction of the population actually working.

Finally at the end of this article, Rushkoff presents his own opinion on how we can change the problem at hand. His suggestion for a solution is to change our whole viewpoint on jobs. Rushkoff says, people usually think of jobs as going to work for a company to create a product and then sell it to customers. He says that instead of that kind of job we are now able to take full advantage of the digital age. We are now able to sell and exchange information-based products. Rushkoff says, “This work is not so much employment as it is creative activity.”

Rushkoff’s arguments are effective through the use of ethos.  As Rushkoff writes this article, he seems as though he has his readers, who are generally the middle class, in mind. He is giving them advice and solutions that he feels will help them. As you read Rushkoff’s article he makes it very easy to understand his arguments because he presents them in a clear and understandable way. Instead of lying or exaggerating the facts, Rushkoff presents the facts and leaves it up to his readers to agree or disagree with him. Rushkoff educates his audience on the current economic state and his readers decide what they want to believe.    

Rushkoff starts off by defining the problem for his readers by describing the issue of limited jobs. He concludes his argument with his own opinion and suggestions. Rushkoff writes this article in a very simple way that is very effective at educating the readers. The one thing seemingly lacking in this article is proper use of pathos. Rushkoff could have added more emotional appeals to catch the audience’s attention. By using this technique, he may have made his argument stronger. In this article, Rushkoff presents the facts in a way that lets the readers know he is well informed and knowledgeable.

                                                                

                                                                 Works Cited

Rushkoff, Douglas. "Are Jobs Obsolete?" Cnn.com. 7 Sept. 2011. Web. 3 Oct. 2011