The Blue Collar Delusion: Why the machines don’t have to climb up to where we are, because the work will descend to meet them
Your 'AI-proof' trade job might vanish as work is redesigned for robots.
In a viral Reddit post, a mechanic challenges the widespread belief that blue-collar jobs are safe from AI. The author argues that the real threat isn't robots learning to mimic human dexterity, but rather the systemic redesign of work to eliminate the need for humans altogether. Car manufacturers have long made vehicles unserviceable—sealed transmissions with 'lifetime fluid,' glued parts, and diagnostics locked behind proprietary software. Tesla's entire architecture is built around bypassing third-party repair shops. This trend will accelerate.
Foxconn and BYD already run factory floors in literal darkness using LIDAR instead of visible light, with no walkways sized for a human body. Service bays may follow. The mechanic warns that AI and automation won't need to master traditional trades; they will simply reshape the tasks into forms that machines can handle cheaply and tirelessly. The blue-collar safety net is an illusion—the work will descend to meet the machines.
- Cars are being designed with sealed transmissions, glued parts, and proprietary diagnostics to make third-party repair harder.
- Factories like Foxconn and BYD operate in darkness with LIDAR, eliminating human workflows entirely.
- The mechanic warns that trades will be 'pincered' by redesign of products and automation of service processes.
Why It Matters
For professionals in trades, this means their skills may become obsolete as work is reengineered for machines.