There are a number of misconceptions when it comes to the lump of labor fallacy. The prevalent one is confusing the small and the big picture.
If a factory introduces automation, no doubt that the resulting job losses are a problem that must be addressed.
However, the lump of labor refers to the big picture - in the same time span, other jobs are created elsewhere. If they weren't, considering that automation started at least 200 years ago (in the most limited sense of the term), the whole planet would be out of jobs by now.
If a factory introduces automation, no doubt that the resulting job losses are a problem that must be addressed.
However, the lump of labor refers to the big picture - in the same time span, other jobs are created elsewhere. If they weren't, considering that automation started at least 200 years ago (in the most limited sense of the term), the whole planet would be out of jobs by now.