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Outsourcing There are a lot of smart people in technology and politics who don't really seem to understand the driving forces behind economic growth. When I was a kid and dedicated GUI interfaced computers were just entering the market, I recall a great wringing of hands over the job losses that would result from computers replacing typists, filers, mail clerks, and so forth. It was believed that computer automation and networks would also replace laborers …

…my dad was my age, he used to pick apples for $1.75 an hour on an apple farm. One day that farm brought in a group of Jamaicans each of whom out-picked him 4:1. He couldn't keep up no matter how hard he tried. In retrospect I believe it was good thing that he decided not to cling to his apple-picking career and went on to focusing on running a technology company and letting me help him.