And there are always going to be jobs that robotics cannot provide for in the foreseeable future. People that work with their hands outside of an assembly line job are very difficult to replace. There are no robot plumbers, HVAC mechanics, auto mechanics, construction workers, etc. There is still plenty of good work in the future for people who do not want to work a desk job.
Greater efficiency benefits everyone in the long term.
I agree with most of what you said, and specifically your last sentence. Based on what I am seeing, I believe that plumbers, HVAC mechanics, automechanics, construction workers, will be replaced by robots within 30 years and most likely within 15 years. Currently cars are being made by robots, see the Tesla Video
http://video.wired.com/watch/the-window-tesla-inside-a-tesla-model-s-electric-carRobotic technology and its use is growing exponetially. The simplistic robotics of 15 years ago are the thing of the past. Boeing just signed a 10 year agreement with their union. I believe a major portion of that is that robotic technology is going to be ready in 10 years to replace the workers. Robotics are currently doing the precision and challenging working in the factories, but the amount of robotics in the construction of a plane is accelerating. Factories are incorporating robotics into every aspect of the process. They work longer, faster and are much much more accurate. They don't make mistakes and they don't demand healthcare and raises.
The areas of the workforce that will be out of work with self driving cars/trucks: Taxi drivers, delivery drivers(see Amazon's drone delivery), longhaul drivers, bus drivers, etc. This will occur within the next 15 years. At some point it will be illegal to drive your car as you will be too dangerous.
As more buildings, equipment, boats, machines are designed on CAD/CATIA type computer generated design platforms the easier it is to transfer that data to an automated robot to build the final project. You will not have architects complaining that their construction crew screwed up their building as the robots will be following their drawings down to the millimeter.
From what I hear, Amazon is building and renovating completely automated factories. All those grandmas and grandpas that help out during the holidays are not going to be welcome in 2 to 5 years. You can't have them being run over by a robot that is 100 times faster and more accurate.
Interesting thoughts. I think a lot of Mustachian behavior will help the transition, but when I hear that you don't need a higher education then you better plan on being off the grid. For our kids if they are not getting a STEM type education then I think the future is going to be challenging. Those glory jobs of doctors, lawyers, pilots, are going to be replaced by the guy running the machine. Having a nurse to take your bp, temp, weight, etc. is going to be gone within 10 years. A robot can do that and upload all the information into the computer. No mistakes, no salary, fairly simple robot.
3d printers are looking more like Star Trek! Next thing we don't need factories!
For us, having the capital to buy the stocks that control the technology will be beneficial. As they squeeze those who are not deemed productive because they were replaced by robots, profits will increase. Until no one is needing anything. That is when having a government that can support the changes and deal with inequality will be needed.
Like everything it goes back to the essential needs. Food, Shelter, and Love. Robotics are on their way in all of those categories. Which of the crazy Matrix, Terminator, Star Trek or other sci-fi movie will we evolve or devolve into?