Central Claims
What is Bessen’s central claim in The Automation Paradox?
Bessen’s claim: Automation increases opportunities and employment in some fields rather than reducing jobs.
What does the root auto- mean in the word automation?
Auto- = “self.”
What effect do graphs have in The Automation Paradox?
Graphs show employment trends; they prove that jobs requiring computer skills increased with automation.
Who is the likely audience for Heads Up, Humans?
Intended audience = students and young adults.
Which author believes automation increases employment?
James Bessen (The Automation Paradox).
Which claim does Alarcón make in Heads Up, Humans about AI and jobs?
Alarcón’s claim: AI and automation will raise unemployment levels and replace many jobs in the future.
Which definition of technology is used in paragraph 3 of Heads Up, Humans?
Electronic or digital products and systems
What do Alarcón’s citations reveal about her research?
Her citations suggest she used a variety of sources, including experts, reports, and studies.
Which paragraph in Alarcón’s text presents a counterclaim?
Paragraph 5 in Heads Up, Humans includes the counterclaim.
Which author warns that automation will harm employment?
Claudia Alarcón (Heads Up, Humans).
How do both authors view the role of technology in employment—positive, negative, or mixed?
Bessen = positive/optimistic; Alarcón = negative/pessimistic.
What does the word paradox suggest about automation in Bessen’s article?
A paradox is a situation that seems contradictory but is true; automation seems like it should reduce jobs, but it often creates them.
Which text relies more heavily on statistics?
Alarcón uses more statistics, such as percentages of jobs at risk in different countries.
Give one reason the counterclaim is important in Heads Up, Humans.
It strengthens the argument by acknowledging the opposing view before refuting it.
How are the tones of the two texts different?
Bessen’s tone = optimistic, practical; Alarcón’s tone = urgent, cautionary.
Why might Bessen’s claim be considered more optimistic than Alarcón’s?
Bessen argues automation can create more jobs and opportunities, while Alarcón warns of job loss and inequality.
Replace the word automation with a synonym that fits both texts’ arguments.
Synonym: mechanization or computerization.
Which text uses examples of ATMs and legal discovery, and why?
Bessen uses ATMs and legal discovery software to show that automation reduces costs and increases demand, which leads to more jobs.
Why would Bessen’s article be convincing to workers rather than teenagers?
Bessen uses real-world worker examples (lawyers, bank tellers, cashiers), so his article would reassure adult workers more than teens.
Which text emphasizes the future impact of AI rather than current changes?
Heads Up, Humans emphasizes future AI impacts.
Write a one-sentence thesis comparing the authors’ claims.
Both Bessen and Alarcón argue that technology transforms the workforce, but Bessen sees it as an opportunity for growth while Alarcón views it as a threat to jobs and stability.
Write a new sentence using automation correctly in a workforce context.
Example: Automation has transformed customer service by allowing chatbots to handle simple requests without human workers.
Explain how evidence in both texts helps develop the authors’ arguments.
Bessen’s evidence supports optimism (jobs shift, not disappear); Alarcón’s evidence supports pessimism (automation reduces employment and wages).
Write your own counterclaim to either text.
Example counterclaim: While Alarcón argues automation will cause job loss, many industries are already using automation to create new specialized careers in programming and system management.
Write 3 similarities and 3 differences between the authors’ claims.
Similarities:
Both discuss effects of technology on jobs.
Both use evidence and expert sources.
Both aim to inform readers about the future of work.
Differences:
Bessen = optimistic; Alarcón = pessimistic.
Bessen emphasizes increased demand & job creation; Alarcón emphasizes displacement & unemployment.
Bessen highlights present/past trends; Alarcón highlights future risks.