Are you sure? Is it a measurable phenomenon, or our perception?
I don't know where you are on the globe, but here in the US, the trades have increasing shortages. Even employers offering on-the-job training are failing to find enough qualified* applicants.
The problem is that the social status of these fields has fallen dramatically. The guy who pumps septic tanks in my hometown bills more per hour than the lawyer, yet nobody there hopes their kid will skip college and work on septic systems instead, nor would any out-of-work paper pusher I know consider taking the job (even if it meant making more money than he used to).
Our middle class is most hurt not by the changing nature of middle-class jobs, but the changing perception of them. As recently as the 70s or 80s, the guy who fixed your septic, installed your air conditioner, or fixed your car was considered an important part of society -- the very image of middle-class America. Now he's treated like a loser for not having a degree.
How many people who identify with the American middle class go seek new careers that they and their peers see as lower class, even for middle class wages? I don't know, but my gut and anecdotal observation say "not enough". Changing careers is really hard for some people -- how many will make it while their friends and neighbors look down on them for working a dirty job?
* In this context, "qualified" is roughly equivalent to "will show up on time, won't steal or destroy stuff, will behave decently toward coworkers and customers, can read, can follow directions and learn to turn a wrench". So, not looking for rocket scientists, just basically hard-working folks.
OK, but the economy can only support a certain number of tin-knockers, plumbers, septic-tank cleaners, janitors, etc. These jobs exist because there are other people with other jobs that can pay for these services.
The reality is that when folks have bills to pay, considerations of "status" will only last for a few months. A few months of unemployment and depleted savings will make _anyone_ reconsider what jobs are "beneath" their abilities.
Finally, its not like anyone can be a septic tank cleaner. It takes a bit of knowledge, the ability to develop a customer base, significant equipment, and is restricted to certain geographic locations (where people don't have sewers).
I am sorry, but to be honest chrome noteboks are nothing more than just a fad that will pass, sort of like windows zune. not sure about netbooks but i still like hem. and i bought second one recentlty.
Wow a real flame bait.
i suggest another topic to discus here on HN:any monkey can learn to code, and read manuals all day lon. some monkeys get an ego and start thinking that. they are somehow more hardworking or smarter. not true. you just a monkey that can read and obbey instructions in the book.
It's not a flame bait. I'll gladly do one on the flipside later. Technical guys looking for a cofounder aren't all perfect either. Far from it. It's just between the two sides, I run into more problems with the business cofounders.
Excellent response, to my flame-bait about monkeys in the first comment :) I personally respect technical guys more than the said business co-founders...
if it quacks like a duck, that it must be a.. paypal?
or how are you guys different from paypal, again?
something about third party developers....how are you going to atract 3rd-parties if I as a consumer after reading post and comments still do not understand what your service does, and what are the benefits...apart from privacy - this stuff is just plain pointless in this day and age....
IMHO: don't see no problem or valuable advice in the post above. If you are really interested in helping person, you will explain the need for specifics. If not, you'll give an answer you gave.
sorry if it was already posted, i probably missed it - overall an interesting read, and somewhat different view from most of the "5 things/ideas/points" type of articles on HN lately.
