Machine vs Man

Yesterday, I went in a new store and I saw one manned register and three or four self check-out registers. I thought how odd and sad that was. Companies are now trying to eliminate the workforce and force consumers to do the work themselves. It may help their bottom line with saving on salary. But they have forgotten the most important reason they are in business. Humans are created to interact with each other. We crave conversation and touch. (Remember how we would run into each other at Walmart? Many of us would stay way longer than planned because we ran into someone we hadn't seen in a while and needed to chat or hug and catch up!!) Machines cannot do that! They can be programmed to respond in certain ways, but no machine can be a flesh and blood human. So, my thought process is this: If I have to get in my car, drive to a store, collect my items, check myself out and then drive back home, without being able to have a conversation or shake a hand or greet an old friend, what is the point?!? I can save gas, shop online and have a conversation with the mail carrier when they deliver my package!! At least there will be some human interaction. While technology can be a good thing, it can never replace us or be able to give the same personal experiences we all crave.