Automation and Humans

The exact date of this episode is unknown. We've filled in the date above with a placeholder. What we actually have on record is: 196u-uu-uu.

This Radio Moscow program investigates automation in Soviet industries and the balance of employment.

A Radio Moscow reporter interviews the head of the personnel department at a Moscow carburetor factory on the implementation of automation and reassignment of workers. She explains how those who left sought work foundries to retain preferential pensions. They did not need to lay off any workers because production is expanding.

Next, he interviews a specialist in the State Planning Commission who explains how production can expand indefinitely, "we have neither crises or slumps." He asserts that the government controls income, which drives up individual spending and thus further increases production. The effect of automation is that it will decrease the daily work hours.

The final interview is with a student who is balancing education and employment with benefits dictated by the government.

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 150805
Municipal archives id: T7880