March 20, 2026
Pep talks vs. pink slips
Why I'm Not Worried About Running Out of Work in the Age of AI
Tech boss says AI won’t steal jobs — readers clap back: easy for you to say
TLDR: A veteran tech exec says AI won’t erase work, citing history to argue jobs shift, not vanish. Commenters fire back that it’s easy to be calm with a cushy resume; the real fear is whether ordinary people will still have paid work, even as a few urge preparation over panic.
Veteran tech boss posts a pep talk saying he’s not worried about running out of work in the AI era, pointing to history: elevator operators vanished, new jobs appeared; pain is real but society moves on. The comments? Not having it.
Top reply kicks down the door with “Get wrecked,” accusing the author of comfort-zone optimism because he’s an ex–Salesforce VP and a venture firm advisor — in other words, someone with multiple safety nets. Another zinger boils it down: there’s always “work,” sure, but will anyone pay you for yours? That anxiety thread runs hot, with readers warning that big chunks of coding could be commoditized and that even seasoned folks might feel the squeeze in just a few years. One commenter dunks on the post’s repetitive writing; another deadpans, “An ex–Salesforce VP isn’t worried? thx lol.”
Not everyone is throwing tomatoes. A calmer voice urges preparation over panic, reminding the mob that tomorrow’s software world will be different and we should plan for it — “we are, after all, this industry’s auto workers.” Still, the vibe is clear: pep talks vs. pink slips. The author’s fish-and-coconuts economics lesson met a crowd wondering how to pay rent this summer.
Key Points
- •The post uses comparative advantage (via Ricardo and Samuelson) to frame how industries and jobs shift across borders.
- •It notes caveats to relying solely on comparative advantage, including security, resilience, fledgling industries, and externalities.
- •The author reiterates a prior prediction that societies typically do not miss jobs eliminated by technology after transitions occur.
- •Examples of extinct or diminished occupations highlight historical labor displacement by automation.
- •The piece emphasizes that while trade/automation create net gains, costs are localized (e.g., Rust Belt) and occupational transitions can be difficult for individuals.