There was a 2016 Amazon patent putting workers in cages

There was a 2016 Amazon kapitnskapitnspatent putting workers in cagesThere was a 2016 Amazon patent putting workers in cagesDepending on if you see a future of robot takeovers or friendly robot colleagues, the next 10, 20, 30 years of humans learning to working alongside machines can spark optimism or dread. There are bound to be insane ideas that should never see the light of day And in 2016, Amazon filed a patent that took human-machine cooperation to this kind of dark place.According to a patent recently highlighted by the Seattle Times, Amazon had an idea to put humans in cages, so that they could work in robot-only zones safely and efficiently. In the patent figure, you can see a metal cage-like enclosure on top of a robotic trolley that could transport the workers around a facility. In the patent summary, the technologys use is painted as a way to helpunnecessary downtime where no inventory-related tasks can be performed.Patent of worker cage not likely to actually happenMany p atent applications never see commercial use, and it appears that this patent is never going to be of them. Lindsay Campbell, an Amazon spokeswoman, told the Seattle Times that reaction to the patent use was misguided, and Dave Clark,who oversees operations at Amazon, went further and acknowledged it was not the best technology Sometimes even bad ideas get submitted for patents. This was never used and we have no plans for usage.But the human cage for the sake of machine efficiency gives insight into Amazons thinking about its priorities. In this patent vision of robot-human cooperation, humans are having their movement dictated by a company machine that is free to roam. The patent gets referenced in a recent case study on the artificial intelligence systems powering Amazon Echo by Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler. There, they write that the patent represents an extraordinary illustration of worker alienation, a stark moment in the relationship between humans and machine. Human labor p owering the wealth of companies comes at the expense of personal autonomy.If you want to get a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence, look into the patents and visions around them. Dystopian futures are built upon the unevenly distributed dystopian regimes of the past and present, scattered through an array of production chains for modern technical devices, they warn.

4 Ideas for Really Helping an Unemployed Friend

4 Ideas for Really Helping an Unemployed Friend4 Ideas for Really Helping an Unemployed Friend2These days, almost everyone knows of at least one friend who is unemployed or underemployed. You probably feel the need to help them out somehow, but youre just not quite sure what to do. Your first reaction might sound something like this If I hear of anything, Ill let you know, which is a nice sentiment, but how helpfulare you actually being with this advice? There are often other ways you could be helping an unemployed friend.Here are four ways you can start helping an unemployed friend.Show up.Showing support your friend can manifest in a number of different ways. Just because youre not quite sure how to verbally comfort your friend doesnt mean you need to avoid them like the plague. Being unemployed is already emotionally taxing without worrying about how your newfound career position might affect your relationships. Try and engage with your friend as you normally would, while being mi ndful of their undoubtedly smaller budget.Lend a helping hand.Consider what skills you have that could help your unemployed friend find work. You could offer to lend a hand at editing their resume and cover letter, or offer to watch their children during any interviews. If you have professional experience with your friend, you could suggest writing them a letter of recommendation.If its not professional help they are in need of, make a nice gesture like bringing them coffee during their job search or helping them shop for a new home office setup. Its the little gestures that can help carry your friend through this challenging time.Network.While you should never make promises you cant keep about potential professional connections or jobs, you should scan your list of contacts for any promising connections. You probably know more people than you think. If possible, try and arrange informational interviews, or bring your friend along to your next networking event. Dont disregard the In ternet for networking as you can always make a professional introduction via email. Or if you happen to have a lot of experience networking, a highly desirable quality to have in todays professional world, spend some time coaching your friend since networking does not come easyfor everyone.Motivate them with a giftstoff certificate.What better way to introduce your unemployed friend to the world of flexible work than through a gift certificate to? They will have no excuse now to start applying for jobs. will provide them access to over 25,000 screened and verified job leads, in over 1o0 professional categories, from nearly 4,500 companies. With part-time and flexible scheduling jobs, your unemployed friend can take their time integrating back into the workforce. With telecommuting jobs, they will have access to jobs all across the globe, increasing their chances of finding employment without the risk of uprooting their current life. And freelance jobs are a great way to earn a salar y while potentially looking for a more permanent position. Gift certificates are available for all subscription plans 1 month for $14.95, 3 months for $29.95, and 1 year for $49.95. For more info on gift certificates, click here.There you have it. You can now avoid giving your mediocre sympathy spieland potentially a few months of awkward conversation while your friend finds work. You can step in, offer your emotional or professional expertise, and be the support that your friend ultimately needs.Readers, how are you helping an unemployed friend? Share with us below

The 9 Rules of Being an Adult at Work - The Muse

The 9 Rules of Being an Adult at Work - The MuseThe 9 Rules of Being an Adult at Work We all think we have it together at work. But then something happens- an annoying co-worker, a failed project, a company restructuring- that makes us, well, act a bit out of ur element.So, its important every once in a while to be reminded of what it means to be a responsible and mature adult in the office. Because otherwise, we could cost ourselves our reputation, a promotion, or even our jobs. Yes, these may sound basic, but take note- immature moves could change the way people perceive you, and determine whether you actually succeed in your career (or come out looking like an uncontrollable child).1. Show Up on TimeBe on time in the morning, to meetings, to presentations, to company all-hands, to off-sites- early if possible. And speaking of time, stay late when its needed or expected of you.2. Dress AppropriatelyYou know what this means in your office. 3. Do Whats AskedIt shouldnt have to be sai d, but Im going to anyways. Your boss gives you an assignment, or asks you to chip in on something, or wants you to attend a meeting. Do it and do it well- because they asked, and because not doing it (or doing it poorly) will only hurt you in the long run.4. Respect Your Co-workersBe kind, honest, and patient with them. Along those same lines, avoid gossip. Youll have to work with many different kinds of people in your career- and you never know when these colleagues will reappear in your life- so make sure youre cultivating good relationships with everyone you meet (even if its just a professional relationship).Along those same lines, respect your co-working space (and those dirty dishes).5. Keep Your Complaining QuietThere will be times when youll have to do work that you dont enjoy, feels tedious, or takes an excessive amount of your time and energy.Real adults take these moments in stride. They may not enjoy them, but they dont whine to anyone wholl listen- and they dont do it over and over again in public spaces. And as a result, they are the ones recognized for doing the grunt work (and are rewarded as such).6. Keep an Open MindYour career, for better or worse, will never be truly stagnant. People will change, your job will change, your company will change, your interests will change.So, be open to new possibilities, whether its a new assignment, a new networking opportunity, or a new person to get to know. Let people and things surprise you- and if they dont, be OK with moving on to something else.7. Be ResilientLike I said above, nothings truly certain- and thats a good thing Change, mishaps, failure, they all make you a stronger, wiser, more exciting person.When they happen, dont let them get you down. You can wallow for a bit (yes, even with a tub of ice cream), but then pick yourself up and keep trying. Adults know that they have to own their career to thrive in it, even if that means failing over and over again. Practice being resilient in everyth ing you do, and people will never doubt your maturity and potential.8. Practice Self-AwarenessKnow when youre frustrating others, when youre not pulling your weight, when youre wrong, when you can do better. If you dont, get feedback.And, when youre aware that youre doing something right, take note of it, too. Always be learning from yourself and keeping tabs on where you stand in your career. (This worksheet can help.)9. Get Comfortable With ConfrontationConflict and confrontation at work are inevitable. Youll have to face firing an employee, dealing with office drama, challenging your boss, being in-between two colleagues, among other difficult things.Rather than avoid these situations, be an adult and accept them. Learn how to give tough feedback (and receive it). This will only make you a more respected and confident leader.Its the toughest moments that are a true test of how far weve come since kindergarten. Follow these rules every day (or, at least, fruchtwein days) in the of fice, and youll prove youre the kind of adult people want to work with and for.