N. Raghuraman’s column – Is dependence on machines destroying human qualities? , N. Raghuraman’s column: Is dependence on machines destroying human quality? Achi-News

N. Raghuraman, Managing Guru

I was freezing in the bone cold after visiting Niagara Falls this week. The mist of water that emanated from that huge waterfall engulfed everyone present there, who had covered themselves with thin raincoats. Most of the people went to the coffee shop nearby. I was no exception. Panera Bread was my choice, despite the fact that their outlet is next to Starbucks.

As their staff were already attending to customers, I went to the self-order kiosk and ordered a decaffeinated coffee and some croissants. I paid for it with my sister’s US credit card. Immediately his name began to appear on the large screen above the counter, and below it was written – “Your order is being prepared!”

Suddenly someone called his name. I went to the counter. One of the workers said, “We’re sorry, we don’t have decaffeinated coffee and we’ll refund you.” He didn’t even ask me if I wanted anything else in return. He asked me to reset the credit card in the machine on his desk.

The worker at the other end punched something and immediately the amount worth the coffee was returned to the account. I asked him, “Why didn’t the machine tell me earlier that the item of my choice was not available in the store?” He said, “We’re sorry, these are glitches in the system.”

After this they began their work. I saw no trace of worry on the shop manager’s face and returned the virtual money. But the best thing is that when my sister got the refund slip, she destroyed it after reading it and threw it in the trash. I asked “Are you sure the money has been returned?” “Don’t worry, the systems are very strong,” he said.

But I realized that the relationship between the seller and the buyer is just a transaction, there is no place for human emotions in it. They didn’t seem offended at all that I didn’t get what I wanted, and they didn’t care that it was their brand’s fault – because I believe the kiosk machine also represents the company’s brand. After getting the croissant, I went to another shop.

I wanted to convert $100 into smaller notes for some of my small expenses. The shopkeeper refused saying that he is not allowed to open the electronic cash box connected to the computer without making any transaction in the computer. Then my sister asked me to buy a fridge magnet for $2.

The shopkeeper punched out the bill and the computer said, “Return $98.” He took out the currency, punched it in the machine and closed the cash box after the total reached 98. It was easy for him, because the machine kept track, and he didn’t have to use his brain to do it .

Here is a glimpse of the activities of this developed country, where the relationship between man and man is changed to the relationship between man and machine. But this desire to help cannot be transferred to machines, because they have no emotions.

The bottom line is that As human beings, we must use machines to speed up our work, but I believe that we should not transfer our emotional aspects to them. what are you saying