iPad as a job-killer

You don't have to look far to find evidence of luddites in positions of power. Here's one example I found today.

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. calls out iPad as a job-killer
http://www.tuaw.com/2011/04/16/rep-jesse-jackson-jr-calls-out-ipad-as-a-job-killer/

According to a report from Real Clear Politics, Representative Jackson is now blaming the tablet device for “eliminating thousands of American jobs.” He pins the closing of Borders and a decline in book sales at Barnes & Noble on the iPad and similar tablet devices. On the House floor on Friday, in remarks about the seeming inability of the current Congress to focus on America’s unemployment problem, the congressman stated the following:

“A few short weeks ago I came to the House floor after having purchased an iPad and said that I happened to believe, Mr. Speaker, that at some point in time this new device, which is now probably responsible for eliminating thousands of American jobs. Now Borders is closing stores because, why do you need to go to Borders anymore? Why do you need to go to Barnes & Noble? Buy an iPad and download your newspaper, download your book, download your magazine.”

Sound familiar? It should do. Jackson sounds just like the vocal opponents to the motorcar talking about job losses of blacksmiths and saddle makers. Or the opposition to TV due to job losses of roles such as as voice actors on radio serials. 

Yes, there are job losses in the print industry, but there is job creation in many other industries and roles. Look at the job creation that the car brought about. It was an amazing industry for most of the 20th century and continues to be important today. As was the golden age of television growing into the massive industry it is.

While one industry is drawn to a close, new ones replace it. I mean, this is high school economics stuff and not any great insight.

So, will someone please forward the memo to Jesse Jackson that the information revolution has not only begun, but has made it through first and second gear. 

Opportunities for wealth creation globally has never been as compelling as they are today. And the barrier of entry for the creation of new products and services have never been as low as it is now. 

There will always be hard copy books, just like today there are still blacksmiths and voice actors. It's just that the predominance of this form factor is now over, and a new one is on the rise. 

So while it is a very sad human tragedy for the individuals in the book industry that have lost the jobs, it is far from  one-sided disaster story Mr Jackson is selling. 

Agree or disagree?