Cory Doctorow's "Revenge of the Chickenized Reverse-Centaurs" argues that tech companies, driven by venture capital's demand for exponential growth, prioritize exploitative business models. They achieve this "growth" by externalizing costs onto society and vulnerable workers, like gig economy drivers or content moderators. This creates a system akin to "reverse-centaurs," where a powerful, automated system is directed by a precarious, dehumanized human worker, a dynamic exemplified by Uber's treatment of its drivers. Doctorow further likens this to the exploitative practices of the poultry industry, where chickens are bred and treated for maximum profit regardless of animal welfare, thus "chickenizing" these workers. Ultimately, he calls for regulatory intervention and collective action to dismantle these harmful systems before they further erode social structures and individual well-being.
High egg prices are pushing people to consider backyard chickens as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative. While seemingly a simple solution, raising chickens requires significant initial investment, ongoing costs for feed and healthcare, and dedicated time for daily care. Furthermore, local ordinances and neighborhood covenants often restrict backyard poultry. Despite these challenges, proponents argue that the benefits of fresh, high-quality eggs, reduced reliance on industrial agriculture, and the joys of raising chickens outweigh the costs and effort, making backyard flocks a viable option for some consumers facing inflated egg prices.
Hacker News users discuss the practicality and challenges of backyard chickens amidst rising egg prices. Some highlight the significant ongoing costs of feed, upkeep, and coop construction, arguing that it's not a cost-saving solution, especially for just a few eggs. Others mention the time commitment involved and the potential for conflict with neighbors due to noise and smell. However, some commenters counter that the benefits extend beyond just cheaper eggs, including fresher, higher-quality eggs, the enjoyment of raising chickens, and a reduction in food waste as chickens can consume kitchen scraps. Several commenters also point to the role of avian flu and corporate price gouging in the current egg market. Finally, there's discussion of alternative solutions, such as buying eggs directly from local farms or raising ducks, which are purportedly less susceptible to avian flu and require less care.
Summary of Comments ( 86 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44118055
HN commenters largely agree with Doctorow's premise that over-reliance on automated systems leads to deskilling and vulnerability. Several highlight examples of this phenomenon, such as pilots losing basic stick-and-rudder skills due to autopilot overuse and the fragility of just-in-time supply chains. Some discuss the trade-off between efficiency and resilience, arguing that systems designed for maximum efficiency often lack the flexibility to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Others point out the potential for "automation surprises," where automated systems behave in unexpected ways, and the difficulty of intervening when things go wrong. A few commenters offer solutions, such as designing systems that allow for human intervention and prioritizing training and skill development, even in highly automated environments.
The Hacker News post titled "Revenge of the Chickenized Reverse-Centaurs" has generated several comments discussing the concept of "Chickenized Reverse Centaurs" introduced in Cory Doctorow's article.
Several commenters engage with the core idea of powerful tools becoming less useful due to over-reliance on automated assistance. One commenter describes this as "deskilling by design," where software deliberately hides complexity, leading to users who can operate the tool but lack deeper understanding. This is exemplified by analogies to pilots relying heavily on autopilot or photographers using automatic settings without comprehending the underlying principles. This commenter also raises the concern of becoming reliant on these simplified tools, making it difficult to revert to more manual and nuanced approaches when necessary.
The discussion also touches on the balance between automation and human control. One commenter argues that some level of automation is essential for managing complex systems and that the ideal scenario involves humans guiding automated systems rather than being completely hands-on. They suggest the goal should be to leverage automation for efficiency while retaining the ability to intervene and make critical decisions. Another commenter expresses concern over the potential for these automated systems to become so complex that they are beyond human comprehension and control, leading to unintended consequences.
Another thread focuses on the impact of this phenomenon on different professions. Examples are given of programmers who may not fully understand the underlying systems they work with and writers becoming overly reliant on AI writing tools. This raises concerns about the quality of work produced and the potential loss of creativity and critical thinking skills.
Some comments also explore the societal implications of "Chickenized Reverse Centaurs." One commenter worries about the potential for job displacement as automated systems take over tasks previously performed by humans. Another points out the risk of increased inequality as access to powerful tools and the knowledge to use them effectively becomes concentrated in the hands of a few.
Finally, some comments offer alternative perspectives or challenge the premise of the article. One commenter suggests that the concept of "Chickenized Reverse Centaurs" is not new and is simply a restatement of existing concerns about automation. Another argues that the focus should be on educating users and empowering them to understand the tools they use rather than simply decrying automation.