Over the break I sat down with my grandfather and we got into a big discussion about the classes I am enrolled in currently. This class is one that he found himself extremely interested in. As we got into a discussion about class and the topics we cover he began sharing his thoughts on the issue of homelessness with me.

We began by talking about where we purchase goods and how china used to be our main source of product production. Now that minimum wage has increased there and they have a higher population they have more of a need to be self servicing. Due to this we have found other countries where they produce goods for our country. He then began talking about our increase in technology. He stated that one day soon we would not even need to involve other countries or low class citizens in production because we will have robots that produce shoes, and clothing and other basic goods. This increase in technology will lead to a major decrease in low wage jobs as they are often simpler jobs that technology will soon take over.

This is an increase we have already seen in California, especially with the boom of the technology industry. Especially in silicon valley where I am from. We see simple jobs that used to be done by people that are now completely controlled by technology. This increase across the board is going to lead to a decrease in employment availability leading to lower employment rates and thus leading to an increase in homelessness as people do not have a source of income.