Technology, Dogs, Cashiers, and You!

So, technology is the wave of the future, no? Well, hopefully they didn't mean this too literally, as in wiping out all of humanity in one massive tidal wave of high tech products. Don't worry, it hasn't reached nearly this level yet, but I can just imagine the headlines: "Want a dog? How bout one who doesn't pee, poop, jump on furniture, or need to be walked twice a day. Just select size, gender, personality, and type, and Fido will be at your door by tomorrow morning. Batteries not included." Oho, but I'm only talking about dogs, you say, what about people? What do dogs have to do with me?

Well, let's swap out "dog" for "grocery store cashier". Want a cashier who doesn't pee, poop, jump on furniture (eh, ok, maybe some do, you never know), require a paycheck, or need a lunch break? Then our computerized cashier is for you, no batteries required, no money needed, one more human out of a job. Seriously, this is already happening. Remember those automatic checkout lines in the grocery store? Those annoying computerized voices that are either way too loud, in another language, or just too darn demanding? "Please place the item in the bag." "Please place the item in the bag." "Please see the cashier, you are being too difficult for my computerized brain." AAAAAHHH, darn computer, what if I just didn't want a stupid bag? What if I wanted to save the environment? Do you even care? Heck, do you even know what food is? Besides credit cards?

It drives me crazy that computers are taking people's jobs and taking away the chance for a normal, friendly conversation and interpersonal relations. Not that kind, sheesh, I just mean a normal HUMAN interaction. Just a few weeks ago, my favorite movie store announced it was soon closing its doors. Several people out of work and the rest of us out of luck. Know what's gonna show up next? A Blockbuster DVD Kiosk, or else a Red Box, all electronic, no humans required. Heck, if I had wanted to talk to a machine, I would have ordered Netflix. Nothing wrong with Netflix, but let the computers stay computers, not trying to function like portable people. Especially in an age when people really need their jobs. But at least some stores, like Publix, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's are standing up for their employees. By keeping their store management and employees human...unless they've partaken of the newest wave of life-like robots. Uh oh, here we go again.