> More automation isn't the answer, less is (if we're going to survive as a species).

In a world with a trend of less automation, indeed optimal policy will be far different. But given that we are not in that world and appear to be moving rapidly in the other direction, we shouldn't write policy as if it were so.

> I do gig work deliveries in the mountains of Tennessee and driving down 5% grade switchbacks and across streams isn't something I see automation handling any time soon.

I agree. Human elevator operators are still necessary in some places. But we should base broad scale policy around the near term future for most people, most of the time.