There is a story which is probably apocryphal, nevertheless, I think it makes the point:—

Henry Ford was giving Walter Reuther, then head of the auto workers' union, a guided tour through his newly automated assembly line. There were no live bodies there, only robots, cranking out car after car.

"Robots," Ford said proudly. "They work tirelessly, they never take breaks, they never call in sick, and they don't draw wages." With a bit of a smirk, he added, "And, Mr. Reuther, I would be interested to know: how are you going to charge them union dues?"

"Well, Mr. Ford," said Reuther, "the same way you are going to sell them automobiles."

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How long will it be until these brilliant tycoons have warehouses jammed full of $150 shoes that no one can afford to buy?

Don Firth