General Discussion

PatrickforO

(14,556 posts)

107. You're misreading me as a luddite.

Sun Mar 24, 2019, 03:18 PM

Mar 2019

Not so. Technology is great - I would not want to be without my cell or my PC, for sure.

My point is just that we've got to somehow conquer the all-powerful force of human greed, and get our heads around planning for human need. This planning is not WITHOUT technology, or to get rid of technology or otherwise curtail it. Rather, let's use it to help one another.

Of course, Hoyt makes the point that America makes up around 4% of the world's population, but we CONSUME about 25% of its resources, just like a bunch of locusts.

Would I be willing to downsize? Yes.
Drive an electric car. Yes.
Recycle. Yes.
Conserve. Yes.

Point is, we need to use the very best in technology and we need to do these things together as a matter of policy.

We, as a species, are crucifying ourselves on the cross of greed, NOT technology.

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Highlight:

Why Self-Checkout Is and Has Always Been the Worst [View all] HAB911 Mar 2019 OP

allow businesses to replace cashiers with machines HAB911 Mar 2019 #1

In California they passed a law Mr.Bill Mar 2019 #76

Can't check IDs yet SoCalNative Mar 2019 #80

They have self checkouts at every store I visit. There is a checker stationed there. Tipperary Mar 2019 #82

Yes, that's one way to do it. Mr.Bill Mar 2019 #84

When there is only automated checkout I always ask for help delisen Mar 2019 #101

Most of this automation put the labor onto the customer! treestar Mar 2019 #90

I piss my wife off sometimes HAB911 Mar 2019 #93

Charming. WillowTree Mar 2019 #117

If I am nothing else, I'm charming HAB911 Mar 2019 #122

Our local Target store has only self checkout early in the morning spinbaby Mar 2019 #2

Because the one person can cover 4 checkout stations. It works great at my target, nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #6

At that hour, they don't have four people checking out spinbaby Mar 2019 #29

I always use a real cashier if no line, it is easier. nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #33

Even when there are lines, which there always are, I use a real cashier. Cassidy Mar 2019 #69

I absolutely homegirl Mar 2019 #75

Weird how it takes longer and is more invasive when I use a teller at PNC. Ligyron Mar 2019 #97

What's with the self checkout hate? It is easier. PTWB Mar 2019 #106

It sucks on all levels. Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2019 #3

+1 happybird Mar 2019 #104

I like it...... USALiberal Mar 2019 #4

I don't love it, but it's usually faster. A friend uploads Hortensis Mar 2019 #41

Before grocery carts were invented mercuryblues Mar 2019 #81

Don't know. Far fewer jobs, no matter how they're designed, Hortensis Mar 2019 #91

Here is a cute story about that. Scarsdale Mar 2019 #51

LOL, that is great! nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #120

There won't even be self checkout in the future madville Mar 2019 #5

So if someone gets ahold of your phone,they can clean out the store? MichMan Mar 2019 #7

No different if they took your wallet and Credit Card. nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #9

It's done partly with facial recognition madville Mar 2019 #10

Our Giant grocery store iamateacher Mar 2019 #8

Because she only has to do that one item! nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #11

I hate self checkout. marble falls Mar 2019 #12

Totally agree. EOM TruckFump Mar 2019 #22

Don't use it. See it as an affront to having employes and customers doing the work to save notdarkyet Mar 2019 #26

I do not use it. Just one of the many reasons I won't shop Walmart. marble falls Mar 2019 #40

Walmart was having people arrested for their self check out not working properly. Oppaloopa Mar 2019 #88

It's been a while since we had one of these let's go back 100 years thread when it worked better. madinmaryland Mar 2019 #13

And there is no stopping it and we should not try to. nt USALiberal Mar 2019 #15

Did you ever stop and think about how all this 'progress' just might be the underlying cause sinkingfeeling Mar 2019 #31

This! Stinky The Clown Mar 2019 #68

Agree and thank you. Oppaloopa Mar 2019 #89

The stores near me that have self-checkout always have lots of cashiers working as well LongtimeAZDem Mar 2019 #14

The movement from full service to self service has taken a long time MineralMan Mar 2019 #16

I remember going to the gas station panader0 Mar 2019 #53

I worked in a gas station like that. MineralMan Mar 2019 #79

Even past that Eko Mar 2019 #118

Personally, I'd rather be an employee who makes, maintains, trouble-shoots, installs, etc., robots Hoyt Mar 2019 #17

I don't know how old you are; I turned 60 my last birthday. PatrickforO Mar 2019 #44

Well, we could always stop technological advances. Of course, there would be even more people Hoyt Mar 2019 #57

It isn't a zero sum game MichMan Mar 2019 #62

You're misreading me as a luddite. PatrickforO Mar 2019 #107

I'm sure most people feel that way. However, there will be fewer of those jobs than the more menial Sapient Donkey Mar 2019 #119

It's not just "automation", it's shifting the burden of work onto the customer. eppur_se_muova Mar 2019 #18

+1 treestar Mar 2019 #92

When was the last time anyone demanded that an operator place a phone call? brooklynite Mar 2019 #19

Around 1974. PatrickforO Mar 2019 #38

Exactly obamanut2012 Mar 2019 #70

My wife. Cold War Spook Mar 2019 #115

Yesterday it took me 10 minutes to get two beverages at a McDonalds Generic Brad Mar 2019 #20

And if you use cash, you need the employee... Phentex Mar 2019 #59

Their new system is atrocious. Ms. Toad Mar 2019 #83

Late at night only automated checkout is available in most stores here, and the tblue37 Mar 2019 #21

Our Giant does that...grrr Freddie Mar 2019 #27

I love it. tymorial Mar 2019 #23

It is absolutely great for those few-items-at-a-time trips. Iggo Mar 2019 #45

I definitely do not disagree with you regarding a full cart. tymorial Mar 2019 #48

I like self checkout. Kaleva Mar 2019 #24

I use self-check out because they don't train the baggers how to bag groceries. CrispyQ Mar 2019 #25

Or they distribute the frozen foods into bags with room temperature items milestogo Mar 2019 #65

I love it when I don't have much stuff. Gets me in and out quick nt Quixote1818 Mar 2019 #28

Kroger had a deal on 24 pack soft drinks. House of Roberts Mar 2019 #30

I never use it but 90% of my shopping is at local family businesses that don't have Self-Checkout nt yaesu Mar 2019 #32

I like self-checkouts but I wish more stores had them with long conveyer belts. I like bagging Luciferous Mar 2019 #34

telephone bots barbtries Mar 2019 #35

Well, I simply cannot resist this teachable moment :) PatrickforO Mar 2019 #36

Well said. paleotn Mar 2019 #39

Good post! bluestarone Mar 2019 #43

Excellent post underpants Mar 2019 #56

+++++++++++ HAB911 Mar 2019 #95

Yes! Duppers Mar 2019 #111

Yogurt standard packaging was originally 8 ounces Wednesdays Mar 2019 #121

Sorry, but self checkout doesn't make my life worse.... paleotn Mar 2019 #37

Same here. trev Mar 2019 #94

Self checkout is easy to defeat SHRED Mar 2019 #42

This message was self-deleted by its author Mosby Mar 2019 #72

Better lawyer up! They will have you on video if you try and sneak out with even a pack of bubble g madinmaryland Mar 2019 #73

If I use the self-checkout mac56 Mar 2019 #46

Funny I do take an employee discount on organis if I use self checkout. underpants Mar 2019 #49

exactly, I want compensation for my labor HAB911 Mar 2019 #96

I'll admit I use it (if I don't got to the customer service desk) really just to be nice underpants Mar 2019 #47

I prefer the self-check out....don't have to deal with cashier asking me where I got something HipChick Mar 2019 #50

This message was self-deleted by its author Huffleprecious Mar 2019 #52

Every generation will have its Luddites that refuse to move on Tarc Mar 2019 #54

Automation and AI are realities and will only get more advanced and more pervasive. Blue_true Mar 2019 #55

Disagree about having people assigned to a machine MichMan Mar 2019 #67

A vending machine isn't at the level that I envision, not even remotely. Blue_true Mar 2019 #113

And don't forget the fossil fuel industry getting us to pump our own gas. jalan48 Mar 2019 #58

We did that not them. EX500rider Mar 2019 #108

True, we did put a lot of mom and pops out of business because they couldn't sell the cheaper gas. jalan48 Mar 2019 #109

I like it. I don't like having all my items crushed into bags that don't make sense. we can do it Mar 2019 #60

I'd like it a lot better if it actually worked. The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2019 #61

I still wind up needing a person 90% of the time, anyway. Stupid. GoCubsGo Mar 2019 #63

I always use self checkout when I don't have a full basket of stuff. Much faster and more efficient. Nitram Mar 2019 #64

" Unexpected item in the bagging area" California_Republic Mar 2019 #66

Self-Checkout doesn't make my life worse Politicub Mar 2019 #71

Stores will not open 10 items or less lanes AwakeAtLast Mar 2019 #74

Stores have always hated those low # of item lanes. Mr.Bill Mar 2019 #77

I love 'em - and my kid NEEDS them Blue_Adept Mar 2019 #78

As long as it is the belt type register - Ms. Toad Mar 2019 #85

I avoid them because they can't cope with a backpack as the "bag you provide yourself" muriel_volestrangler Mar 2019 #86

I'm so old, I remember when the cashier would empty your grocery cart for you. OMGWTF Mar 2019 #87

I prefer self-checkout Maeve Mar 2019 #98

A look ahead to the year 2039: mac56 Mar 2019 #99

The strange thing is... jmowreader Mar 2019 #100

I never use them. dawg day Mar 2019 #102

I'm a fan, due to the speed and the fact I'm able to bag my groceries with less plastic... VarryOn Mar 2019 #103

Eh I like it. Loki Liesmith Mar 2019 #105

Self checkout is corporate greed in the flesh JCMach1 Mar 2019 #110

Sherlock had a scene with Watson having a "row" with the self checkout machine. suffragette Mar 2019 #112

the plan is to do away with checkouts entirely JI7 Mar 2019 #114

We use self-checkout because it is better than waiting in line. Cold War Spook Mar 2019 #116