How do we deal with the job losses caused by automation? Offer a universal basic income? Halt the march of technology? Shorten the workweek? Get more education — or a different kind of it? Raise the minimum wage — or lower it?

Get used to these questions.

Readers had a lot to say in response to an article about what many economists believe is a crisis of our times: how to support the people who are out of work because their jobs have been or will soon be automated. It is a bigger long-term cause of job loss than trade, offshoring or high levels of immigration.

Some readers questioned capitalism, and whom it’s supposed to serve:

John Ranta, New Hampshire

The myth is that companies are “job creators.” There isn’t one company out there that wants to create jobs. Jobs are expensive; they reduce profits. Every company is driven to cut jobs, because employees are an expense, a drag on profits. The ideal company is one that has no human workers. All capital, no labor! This is the natural outcome of capitalism. Is it what we want?