Reading Dundon and Howcroft

Running head: READING DUNDON AND HOWCROFT
Reading Dundon and Howcroft
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1READING DUNDON AND HOWCROFT
1. Main Idea and Reception
The main idea presented by the authors is that despite the inculcation of automation
and robots in the present scenario, the burden of work and labour will not be reduced. The
authors also discuss about the main idea of the negative impacts of technological
interventions. The article strives to bring forth the idea that the rampant use of technological
innovations is dependent on the prevalent political, economic and social scenario (Dundon &
Howcroft, 2016). The authors also discuss about the manner in which sheer belief in
consumerism leads to the perpetration of interest and investments in cheap labour.
I feel that the topic is relevant in debunking the myth associated with the end of work
in the modern era due to the intervention of technology. This fact that the writers have
addressed this topic reflects the need to break the myth and to displace the accepted belief of
technology as the provider of leisure time.
2. Context
The article was written to eradicate the notion of artificial intelligence erasing work
prospects for human beings. The article was written after taking into consideration the
context. Closer scrutiny will reveal that many people had expressed their fear about the loss
of work and jobs due to the intervention of the robots and automation. Various newspaper
articles and stories expressed the prevalent fear surrounding the myth of deletion of jobs and
future prospects. Statistics reveal that 6 million workers in United Kingdom were worried for
their jobs (The Independent, 2019). However, the authors have endeavoured to erase this
irrational fear by projecting that technological usage depends on myriad factors. Thus, it can
be said that the compelling context and background have propelled this write-up.

2READING DUNDON AND HOWCROFT
3. Support and Evidence
The views presented by Dundon and Howcroft relate to technology can be supported
by the philosophies of Karl Marx. In this article, the writers had presented the idea that
the proper use of technology depends on the positive ambience in the political as well as
economic scenario. The writers also mention that the notion of technological innovation
and intervention also entails the idea of power and its distribution. This can be related to
the views of Karl Marx who propounded that due to the intensely capitalist societal
structure, the power to exercise technology will remain vested in the hands of a few
private owners (Hornborg, 2014). Thus, it can be said that Marx would have supported
the stance of Dundon and Howcroft.
Studies reveal that Karl Marx viewed technology as the form of societal fetishism
(Hornborg, 2014). The same can be seen in this article where the authors project
technology as viewed by members as a form of fetish that can reduce manual work.
4. Place of Publication
The article is likely to be published in United States because it is seen that most of the
people express their discontent and fear about the loss of jobs and employment
opportunities due to the onslaught of artificial intelligence (Fong, 2017). It is also seen
that US residents believe that artificial intelligence, technological interventions and robots
might overthrow the need for human beings in myriad job roles.
Given the prevalent scenario and temperament, this path-breaking write-up would
have served to broaden the mindset of many sojourners in USA. The article would also have