The first electronic computer was invented in 1943. The electronic handheld calculator followed this invention in the 1960s (60 years ago). 

For the first time ever, humans could engage in mass calculation.

But how significant is this feat?

Let's view how mass calculation changed the workflow of modern businesses.

The Modern Transaction

Paypal is a financial service that allows people to generate electronic transactions. 

In 2019, PayPal processed 12.362 billion transactions or 33.86 million transactions per day (on average). With 23,200 employees (in 2019), that’s 532,845 transactions per employee per year or ~1460 transactions per employee per day.

This calculation assumes that everyone employed by PayPal works on its transaction service. But this assumption is not reality.

What is the non-technological equivalent of a PayPal transaction?

1. Acquire the cold-hard physical cash you will send.
2. Mail the cash to an address (e.g., via USPS) so another person can receive the mail.
3. Once the mail has been received, another person must ensure the transaction is valid: Without calculators, you must perform math by hand. 
4. When the transaction involves business, more people must get involved to ensure the transaction is logged and legal.

And PayPal does this 33.86 million times a day. That’s a lot of f*cking mail.

The Modern Search For Information

The Google Search Engine is used to find information on the internet.

Since Google doesn’t share search volume data, it’s impossible to know how many searches occur per day. However, it’s estimated that Google processes 5.6 billion searches per DAY. With 156,500 people employed in 2021, that accounts to ~35,783 searches per employee per day.

Of course, not everyone works on the search engine.

What is the non-technological equivalent of a Google search?

1. Send a letter containing the keywords you wish to search for — by mail — to a building. 
2. That building must have someone index the information within the building using the keyword you sent.
3. Once the requested information has been found, it can be sent to you via mail. 

And when you are looking for a building to pick up the information yourself, boomers call them “libraries”.

Even with 8 billion people on Earth, there is no way humanity could achieve 5.6 billion searches per day — consistently for a year — by hand. So, the invention of a “simple” handheld calculator is one of humanity’s greatest accomplishments.

And the electronic computer is even more powerful.

When the factory signifies the Industrial Era through the automation of physical labor, the calculator signifies the Information Age through the automation of mental calculation. 

But there is just one issue…

What is the Cost?

Amazon ships ~2 billion packages (in the U.S) per year: Every time a package is shipped, it involves the usage of a U.S Interstate Highway System that American citizens pay taxes for. 

So, what makes Amazon possible? 

• Not just its owners.
• Not just its workers.
• Not just its customers. 

But an entire nation of taxpayers.

Like, 160 million people.

There may be some people among us who dodge taxes… 

In any case, who has to pay for the wear and tear on the road when Amazon uses it? 

You. 

Who gets the reward when the package is delivered? 

Amazon’s shareholders. 

Forget your reward. 

Not even the workers get a reward (beyond their contractual agreement). 

In our current system, the only people who are given a share are the people who own the company and the assets that the system comprises.

Who Will Pay?

There are many circumstances where society benefits a business for “free”. 

Of course, I’m no saint. 

But who pays the price? 

This work is available from our mothers, fathers, educational leaders, and the work we as citizens have provided. Then, Companies can come along and use that work for free without hesitation.

And it’s not illegal.

The best part about tax debates is that the poor and rich both say the exact same thing: “We should pay as much as them!”

There are many circumstances where society benefits a business for “free”. 

Of course, I’m no saint. 

But who pays the price? 

This work is available from our mothers, fathers, educational leaders, and the work we as citizens have provided. Then, Companies can come along and use that work for free without hesitation.

And it’s not illegal.

Who gets rewarded for it all, though? 

A small handful of owners.

Are we ready for automation?