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netduryesterday at 2:52 PM3 repliesview on HN

calculators doing a perfect job did not end accountants' jobs, it made it faster.


Replies

kube-systemyesterday at 4:14 PM

I don’t think that’s as good of an example as you think it is.

“Computer” used to be a job title. It was entirely replaced by … drumroll … electronic computers, i.e. calculators.

Technology doesn’t usually eliminate the need for a job output in general but it can sometimes shift the skills needed wildly.

Etheryteyesterday at 3:21 PM

Not necessarily faster, but more easy for sure. There's plenty of stories of proficient abacus using accountants being faster than those using calculators. Those days are gone now though because a calculator is just so much easier to pick up.

ironboundyesterday at 10:07 PM

Your sort of paying them to understand the tax code that changes year to year tho