Fact remains, looking on statistics and society as a whole, automation has rationalized work a lot. Between 1970 and 1990 automation had made work (at least in Sweden where I live) 75% more effective. Did we use this cut down on working hours? Did it give workers that high increase in wages? No. In Sweden the general discourse talks about "creating jobs". Why? Why would we want to create job that oftentimes isn't needed? That it is a philosophical question looking beyond the national and political economics.