Question

List three professions around today that will be very unlikely to exist if we revert to a lower energy/resource, less high-tech state.

Short answer

Question: List three technology-dependent professions and explain why they would be unlikely to exist if we were to revert to a lower energy/resource, less high-tech state. Answer: Three technology-dependent professions include software engineers, airline pilots, and data scientists. Software engineers would be unlikely to exist in a low-tech society as the development of advanced technology would no longer be a priority and computers might not even be widespread. Airline pilots would be unnecessary in a less high-tech world with limited resources since air travel would likely become unsustainable or nonexistent due to the high level of technology and energy required for airplanes. Lastly, data scientists would be very unlikely to exist in such a scenario as the tools and infrastructure needed for managing and analyzing large amounts of data would not be available, and the demand for data-driven insights would decrease due to industries reverting to traditional, low-tech ways of operating.

Step-by-step solution

1. Identify a technology-dependent profession

A profession that heavily relies on technology or high energy consumption is a software engineer. Software engineers use advanced computer programming skills and software tools to create, maintain, and improve various technological systems.

2. Explain why the technology-dependent profession would be unlikely to exist

In a low-tech society with lower energy or resource consumption, the need for software engineers would significantly decrease because the development of advanced technology would no longer be a priority. Also, computers and other advanced technologies might not even exist or be widespread in such a society, making the software engineer profession obsolete in this context.

3. Identify a second technology-dependent profession

Another profession that relies on modern technology and high energy consumption is an airline pilot. Airline pilots are responsible for flying passengers and cargo on airplanes, which require a significant amount of advanced technology and resources, such as fuel, to operate.

4. Explain why the second technology-dependent profession would be unlikely to exist

If society were to revert to a lower energy/resource, less high-tech state, air travel would likely become unsustainable or even nonexistent, since airplanes require a high level of technology and energy to operate. As a result, there would be no need for airline pilots in a less high-tech world with limited resources.

5. Identify a third technology-dependent profession

A third profession that depends heavily on technology and high energy consumption is a data scientist. Data scientists analyze and interpret large amounts of data using advanced software tools and algorithms to identify trends, patterns, and insights for various industries.

6. Explain why the third technology-dependent profession would be unlikely to exist

In a low-tech, low-resource society, the tools and infrastructure necessary for managing and analyzing large amounts of data would not likely be available. The demand for data-driven insights would also decrease, as industries would likely revert to more traditional, low-tech ways of operating. Consequently, the data scientist profession would be very unlikely to exist in such a scenario.

Key concepts

Software Engineer

Imagine a world where every application on your smartphone, the operating system on your computer, and the code that operates online platforms suddenly disappear. This is a glimpse into a reality without software engineers. These tech wizards utilize complex programming languages to build and maintain the digital infrastructure that runs our daily lives.

In a situation where we transition to a lower energy resource and a less high-tech existence, the dynamic role of software engineers faces a substantial shift. These professionals thrive on innovation and the availability of advanced technology. In a low-tech environment, their skills may no longer align with the reduced need for complex software solutions, signaling a drastic transformation in the nature of their work or the potential redundancy of the role altogether.

Airline Pilot

Taking to the skies has revolutionized global connectivity, thanks to the highly skilled airline pilots commanding aircrafts. With a comprehensive understanding of avionics, navigation, and meteorology, alongside the ability to maneuver complex flying machines, airline pilots are quintessentially high-tech professionals.

However, their profession’s existence hinges on the availability of high-level technology and immense energy resources, predominantly in the form of aviation fuel. Should society regress to a low-tech state with limited energy resources, the aviation industry might find itself grounded. The reality for airline pilots in such a scenario is stark, as their expertise may no longer be in demand if the skies become silent in the absence of aircraft.

Data Scientist

Data scientists are the modern-day oracles, drawing from the vast sea of information to reveal patterns and predictions that help shape business strategies and scientific endeavors. They are masters of big data, utilizing algorithms and machine learning to extract actionable insights from complex datasets.

In a world less reliant on technology and with restricted energy resources, the tools that empower data scientists could diminish or disappear. The roles requiring the processing and analysis of large data sets would reduce drastically as businesses move towards simpler, low-tech methods of operation. Therefore, this transition would challenge the existence and relevancy of data scientists and could potentially signal an end to this tech-centric profession in its current form.

Energy Consumption

Energy consumption is the backbone of our technological society, powering everything from home appliances to entire industries. The demand for energy grows concurrently with advancements in technology, as each new device and system require more power.

In a transition from high-tech to low-tech, there would be a substantial decrease in energy consumption. Sustainability would become the driving force, with a focus on energy forms that are more accessible and less reliant on complex infrastructure. In such a state, renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which are less energy-intensive to produce and maintain, could become more prevalent, supplanting the need for those energies that support our current high-tech lifestyle.

High-tech to Low-tech Transition

A high-tech to low-tech transition implies more than just a change in the types of gadgets and machines we use; it's a fundamental shift in society's underlying operational fabric. In such a scenario, we would witness a move towards simplicity, manual processes, and a reduced reliance on digital and automated systems.

During this retrogression, professions reliant on digital infrastructure, intricate machinery, and large-scale energy usage would face severe transformations or fade away. Societies would need to rediscover traditional, labor-intensive ways to solve problems, manage daily tasks, and perform work - relying more on human labor and less on silicon-based brains. This evolution, or rather reversion, could lead to a resurgence in professions and trades that have been overshadowed by our current, technology-dominated paradigm.