Vice Season 9 Episode 9 The Replaced & The Missing

In season 9, episode 9 of Vice titled "The Replaced & The Missing", the show dives into the impact that automation is having on the workforce in the United States. Vice reporters speak with individuals who have lost their jobs due to robotic automation in industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, and even fast food.

The episode begins by introducing the audience to a former manufacturing plant worker, named Gary, who lost his job when his company decided to replace their human workers with robots. With no college education or other job prospects, Gary is struggling to make ends meet. Vice talks to him about the emotional toll of losing his job and the challenges of finding a new one.

Next, the show explores the rise of automation in the agricultural industry. With the introduction of autonomous tractors and drones, many farmworkers are losing their jobs. Vice speaks with a former farmworker who lost his job when his employer switched to automated equipment. He talks about the uncertainty of his future and how he has had to turn to day labor jobs to make ends meet.

The episode then shifts to the fast-food industry, where companies such as McDonald's are introducing self-service kiosks to take orders. Vice speaks with a former McDonald's worker who lost her job when her store replaced their cashiers with these kiosks. She talks about the challenge of finding a new job and how she believes companies are valuing technology over human workers.

Throughout the episode, Vice also interviews experts in the field of automation. These experts discuss the potential benefits of automation, such as increased efficiency and productivity, but they also acknowledge the negative impact it is having on the workforce. The experts talk about the need for governments and companies to invest in training and education programs for workers who are displaced by automation.

The episode also touches on the issue of coal jobs in Appalachia. As coal-mining companies continue to automate their operations, workers are losing their jobs at an alarming rate. Vice speaks with a former coal miner who lost his job when his employer introduced autonomous machinery. He talks about the impact this has had on his community, as well as his own financial and emotional well-being.

Finally, the episode ends with a discussion about the future of work in an increasingly automated world. Vice acknowledges that automation is not going away and that workers need to adapt to survive. The show suggests that the key to success in the future may be in developing new skills and embracing new technologies.

Overall, season 9, episode 9 of Vice titled "The Replaced & The Missing" is a thought-provoking exploration of the impact that automation is having on the American workforce. Through a combination of personal stories and expert analysis, the show paints a picture of a changing world where human workers are being replaced by machines at an unprecedented rate. While the episode acknowledges the potential benefits of automation, it also highlights the challenges and hardships that workers face when they are displaced by this new technology.