Automation - Boon or Bane ?

All parts of our life today is touched by automation of some kind and some level. There is a constant pursuit of human kind, to find and separate the "mundane"

and repeatables and automate them.

Automation has been the prefered way to increased productivity since the invention of "ScareCrow".

Did you notice though, as we keep on defining more and more jobs "automat-able" and keep delegating those to the machine, we lose the skills to do those ourselves ?

I was in SFO to catch a flight to Boston, well advance in time in the queue.

Turned out they have just one "manned" counter and all other counters are automated check-in.

Simple stuff really -

Touch screen, choose language, put the bag on scale, scan your Passport or driving licence and one should be done.

Problem is, there is still a section of population that need human help. The line was like 1 KM long. Few older people in the queue constantly shouting for help.

With all that I still made it to an auto-check in counter barely 45 mins left for the flight time.

Just when I thought I made it, the machine complained that it does not recognize my passport or driving license. For all foreign document holders, I need to go to "manned" counter.

And did I mention that there was a union strike and just one manned counter that day ?

To cut a long story short I missed my flight. The lady behind me also missed her flight and at least 20 others behind that.

All along standing in the line, the lady behind was having real anxious and nervous small talks with me. When I missed my flight, I had a broad smile on my face and she asked "What makes you so happy ? You did not want to catch the flight ?".

I said, "No, now the uncertainity is gone. I am definitely not flying today. And thats liberating" :)

Well.. having said all that Automation is still a Boon.