Andrew McAfee: Could automation lead to chronic unemployment?

I was hiking with three friends this morning and we were talking about this. As productivity per worker keeps increasing (exponentially according to this article), fewer workers are needed to produce goods and resources needed by society.

I framed this as a social issue since society needs to accomodate a smaller work force and still have opportunity for most people to lead meaningful lives. I would posit that a meaningful life == being productive and having the world be a better place because of us.