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As a youngster, I loved comic books. After my
homework was finished and the school books closed, I would read a comic
book until sleep time. Science fiction was always my favorite. Reading
about robots and machines taking over the world would infuriate me. How
could they let dumb machines replace humans? I thought it couldn't
happen, but guess what? It came to pass in a shorter time than I
expected. For several years now I have rebelled, trying as much as I can
to keep people working.
I have a pin number for the ATM and use it only
when the banks are closed. I admit it is easy, but, if I need money and
the bank is open, I write a check for cash and hand it to a person. I
want those tellers to keep working! Besides, the ATM doesn't give my dog
a cracker.
So far, I have never used one of those do it
yourself check outs at Wal-Mart or elsewhere. Let a person who needs the
job wave my purchase over the price counter and put it in a sack.
When I telephone a place of business, I make sure I
have plenty of time to hold an extra 15 minutes for an operator. If it’s
a place often called, I ask for an extension number and keep it handy.
I figure if they have enough people willing to wait for a live person,
they will keep them working.
The folks at the car wash do a much better job than
the automatic washers. Hand drying leaves a nicer finish. If they leave
a spot you can point it out.
Yes, I know you can save an extra $10 on your
airline ticket if you book online. Those agents at the reservation desk
need their jobs too. I call them.
Wonder where all those guys who used to put gas in
your car are working now? If I could find a station with an attendant
to fill the tank, I would use it faithfully, and keep them working.
What about those nice, friendly telephone operators
who have been replaced by automation? They were so helpful. They are no
longer working due to machines.
They've even taken away the little red caboose on
the end of the train and put a man out of a job. You know, the one whose
job was to watch out the back and make sure the train was still
attached. A terrorist could do a lot of damage back there when the only
two humans on the train are way up front.
I hate it when I hear a company is downsizing while
business is booming. I know machines are doing the jobs usually done by
humans.
Some day real soon, it may be possible that a
person will live their entire life and never come in contact with
another human being. Imagine a robot nanny to feed, diaper and bathe. A
child being schooled via satellite, exercised by machines, working from
a remote station, precooked food served promptly each day. Don't laugh;
it could be closer than you think. I never thought I could insert a card
and get money from a machine, or that my car would tell me to fasten
seat belts. Neither did I believe I would ever see pictures of Mars sent
to me by an unMANned space ship. The minds of our great inventors and
scientists know no bounds. Anything is possible and everything goes.
Automation is here to stay, but we are still able to keep people working
if we insist on talking to humans whenever possible.
I have resisted it, and will continue to kick and
scream and fight it as long as I can. I am one woman against the
machines. Please help me if you can by forwarding this to all your
mailing list as I have done.
I feel a little guilty about those guys at the Post
Office and their jobs, but we need to get the word out and via computer
is faster than snail mail.
Sorry, I have to run. My cell phone is buzzing, fax
is beeping and the man to repair my Tivo is ringing the door bell.
Thanks for your help.
Clara Wersterfer |
