Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market, particularly focusing on how it affects both young and experienced workers, suggesting that the real issue is the "replaceability" of jobs rather than age [2][15]. Group 1: Impact on Young Workers - Young workers are facing a significant challenge as AI systematically dismantles the entry points to their career ladder, leading to a situation where nearly half of recent graduates find themselves unable to secure jobs related to their degrees [3][4]. - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported that the unemployment rate for recent graduates aged 22 to 27 has risen to 5.8%, the highest level since 2021, while the underemployment rate for degree holders has surged to 41.2% [8]. Group 2: Challenges for Experienced Workers - Experienced workers are encountering a crisis as their established "experience barriers" are rapidly eroding due to changes in corporate operational logic [5][6]. - High salaries are becoming a liability as companies prioritize efficiency, leading to layoffs of experienced employees who are deemed costly compared to AI solutions [9]. - The emergence of large language models is diminishing the value of accumulated knowledge and industry intuition, as AI can now perform tasks that previously required extensive human expertise in a fraction of the time [10]. Group 3: The Nature of Work Value - The article emphasizes that the transformation in the job market is not merely a battle between young and old workers, but rather a contest of "replaceability" based on the standardization and repetitiveness of tasks [15][19]. - Workers who can leverage AI to enhance their capabilities, regardless of age, will be the ones who thrive in this new environment, as the ability to collaborate with AI becomes a key differentiator [17][20].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the disparity between industry profits and the low wages of workers, particularly in the animation and special effects sector, highlighting the need for workers to understand their market value and proximity to revenue generation [1][2][3]. Group 1: Industry Profitability vs. Worker Compensation - The success of the film "Nezha" generated significant revenue, yet workers in the special effects sector reported low wages and high workloads, leading some to leave the industry [1][2]. - The industry is profitable, but the expected increase in worker compensation has not materialized, indicating a disconnect between profits and wages [2][4]. - The special effects industry operates on a commission basis, which means that while the main creative team bears the financial risk, the outsourced teams are guaranteed payment upon delivery of work [6][7]. Group 2: Market Value and Job Security - Workers need to assess their market value and consider how to position themselves to benefit from industry profits [8][20]. - The article compares different roles within the recruitment industry, illustrating how those closer to revenue generation (like headhunters) tend to earn more than those in stable but less lucrative roles (like payroll services) [9][12]. - The special effects industry has a low entry barrier, resulting in a surplus of talent, which drives down wages due to high competition [18][32]. Group 3: Proximity to Revenue Generation - Workers in the cinema industry, such as ticket sellers and concession staff, have seen wage increases due to their direct connection to sales, unlike special effects workers [21][23]. - The article emphasizes the importance of being close to revenue-generating activities to maximize earning potential, as seen in the real estate sector where agents benefited from market booms [23][25]. - The disparity in teacher salaries between public and private institutions is also highlighted, showing that those who contribute directly to revenue (like online course instructors) tend to earn more [25][26]. Group 4: Misunderstanding of Industry Dynamics - The influx of talent into a sector does not equate to a market advantage for individual workers; rather, it can lead to oversaturation and lower wages [30][32]. - The article critiques the notion of "redemption" in industries where many workers believe they deserve higher pay due to hard work, while the actual market dynamics dictate compensation based on scarcity and value [26][30]. - The concept of "artisan spirit" in creative industries can lead to unrealistic expectations for workers, who may be overburdened without corresponding compensation [39][41].