Automation will kill us all

When you consider the future, combined with things like technology, you should consider the past. Yes, that same past that's being continuously investigated and removed from history.

Technology is threatening you with the Matrix, which is almost a literal reference at this point. Except we are in the prequel version, where people volunteer themselves into the machine. Or the metaverse. Pick a name Facebook.

We aren't at fault. We didn't see the machine coming at us. It always just showed us the cool things it could do, how it can do a job for us, entertain us, help us, while selling all of our priceless predictable data behind your back. You signed the 800 page legal terms and conditions, so don't complain. Comply.

Now look at us,  disgusting shells of human beings. My whole life, I never expected us to become this stupid. The internet took the human out of the human equation. We removed human contact with social media. Then we raised a generation in it. And now that generation can't figure out how to live in the real world.

This isn't a culture shift, this is a hostile takeover that glamorized itself with all the bells and whistles. Bought and paid for by your ignorance.

Of course I'm talking about the stupid ass incompetent self check out machines at 711.

No more 'good morning, have a nice day' from the employee running the cash register that they may or may not skim a little off the top. The chain smoking guy who doesn't want to be there but stays friendly to customers. The ladies who gossip loudly while you shop. Those people will be missed.

Now it's just a sign. 'Register is cash only,  please use the self checkout.'

Hey, I thought there was a coin shortage. What happened?

Oh, that's right. We are dumb and don't pay attention. We are so used to avoiding human interaction because we have immersed ourselves with social media, and now we don't care if you have a nice day.

Regretfully, I comply. I'll use this machine that seems to be broken half the time. Not surprising at this ghetto store. The ice machine is out of order,  along with the ATM, the money order portal, the coffee machine, and the microwave. Do you care to fix this shit? Of course not. There's no one to complain to.

This morning, after the credit card machine crashed, I had to go find the clerk. They had their pronouns on their name tag (which I don't mind respecting) and looked at me with utter disgust, as if I had ruined their day because they had to do something.

Then I started to think, maybe no human contact isn't a bad thing. Would be nice to not deal with any of this stuff. Just sit back and be entertained. Plug in and shut up.

That isn't the answer though. I treated them with respect and courtesy as I always do. Because we spread good by being good people.

That's the only way good will prevail.

Say hi to a stranger. Smile when you get to interact with someone. Let them know you appreciate them by being pleasant and nice.

Do it now while you still can. Because one day, shaking hands and having polite conversations will be gone. And we will miss it. But our children won't.