The Harsh Reality of the Job Market in the United States

 In recent news, Amazon has announced that the company is planning to cut over 14,000 corporate jobs due to an increased use of AI technology in the workforce. This is certainly scary and even threatening to the survival of the common working class citizen. In fact, I find a rather interesting connection between the events of today and the economic crisis of 2008 which just so happens to be the primary setting of Sweat by Lynn Nottage. 

The economic crisis of 2008 was a huge problem for the working class. Due to a large stall in the economy, local workers who devoted their lives to a certain company were being laid off. This is powerfully demonstrated in Sweat when we see characters like Tracey and Jason facing job insecurity due to large budget cuts and less company revenue at the mill. In modern companies, we are seeing the very same insecurity but for very different reasons. For example, Amazon is making budget cuts but not because they are making but because they are making more. You see, companies like Amazon are now making more than ever due to AI automated systems and thus reducing the need for blue collar associates. Think about it, why would they need to keep people employed when they can have AI do their jobs faster and for a cheaper price? 

The US economy is technically strong with the size of major corporations growing by the day; however, that very same growth is detrimental to the job market and to the survival of blue collar workers. Its almost ironic how the US faces immense job loss during times of economic downfall and the very same job loss during economic rise. At the end of the day, workers are expendable when it comes to corporate greed: no matter the state of the economy, companies will always prioritize profit and efficiency over dignity and morals.

The American economy has always been like a piece of music: sometimes its steady and sometimes its chaotic. In 2008, the notes slowed to a painful rhythm. Today, with AI driving innovation, the tempo has become too fast for the working class to follow. Whether too fast or too slow, if the music is trash, then its trash; similar to how the economy will ultimately lead to job loss no matter if its booming or crashing.

I would even go as far as saying that the current job market is worse than it is in Sweat. With AI efficiency growing by the day, who knows if the job market will ever mend like it did after 2008. In fact, I believe that AI will fully replace blue collar jobs a lot sooner than you might think. No matter what happens, the lives of those in the working class will always suck and will continue to get worse as AI takes over the US.


 


Comments

  1. Vighnesh ChandaNovember 9, 2025 at 6:31 PM

    I really like how you highlight the irony in econmic rise and fall connecting it to music was well done, and it kinda reminded me of Taylor Swift like its funny how her worst album was bought by 10 million people even though it was her fall, similar to the irony of how people lose job at both the rise and fall of economy. Overall, an insightful post, good job Solomon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Suleman ChowdharyNovember 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM

      bro im literally in your comments how you manage to spell my name wrong

      Delete

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