The thing, I think people miss about automation is that it will increase unemployment rates -- forever. The more society is automated the less labor humanity has, the less we need to do to survive.
I think, as automation become common place, society will have a larger unemployment rate, continuing into a welfare-based society. It will be a time where art, science, and creative will grow, as basic needs will be supplied easily via automation.
Many people I discuss this with leave off the /s and straight-faced assert that income and employment are directly controlled through hard work. These people tend to be employed and well compensated.
