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The fewer people who are working on these sites, or in these industries, the smaller the talent pool from which experienced management can come: virtually all businesses really need this hands-on experience. The water industry seems a classic of this point at present: so few people are involved in the collection and processing that it's nearly all so-called professional management, and look at what a great job they've done for one of our most precious materials!

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Interesting point - hadn't thought of that

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This is a challenge in all professions as the impact of automation tools and AI means time spent doing the ‘basics,’ e.g. for lawyers discovery research as an associate replaced by e-discovery, removing this learning by doing from the professional development of future senior lawyers, etc.

There is plenty to learn and gain insights from the material world of which sectors/companies have managed this transition well, and which have just led to poor management, rent seeking profits, etc.

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