This is a slightly shallow way of looking at productivity gains. You benefit from productivity gains across every industry. Without consumers, there is no capital. So you, the consumer, benefit from increased productivity, even if it means that somewhere, someone, lost out. We just have to go back to the original luddite example. It is cliche for a reason. A quote:
"The tragedy is that although these groups of workers did suffer from the deployment of new technology, over time, the general population benefitted from cheaper clothes, lower prices and new jobs in other sectors of the economy."
Obviously, as a developer, I don't want to lose my career. But am I a hypocrite? Are you a hypocrite for buying anything that is now manufactured by automation, putting people out of jobs? I'd say yes.
"The tragedy is that although these groups of workers did suffer from the deployment of new technology, over time, the general population benefitted from cheaper clothes, lower prices and new jobs in other sectors of the economy."
Obviously, as a developer, I don't want to lose my career. But am I a hypocrite? Are you a hypocrite for buying anything that is now manufactured by automation, putting people out of jobs? I'd say yes.