Until this morning, it had been over a month since I had been to my local Home Depot. I have been shopping at this Home Depot for 19 years and had come to know just about everyone working there. This morning, I did not see a single person I knew. It appeared that they have had virtually 100% turnover. Why? This:
100% turnover because of 100% self-checkout, even at the commercial lanes.
Instead of cashiers, there were a bunch of high schoolers standing around watching the self-checkout lanes, and one security guard watching over everything.
I’m sure the people who had been cashiers for the last 20 years didn’t want to stand around watching the self-checkout lanes for $11.50 minimum wage. High schoolers, on the other hand, especially those getting their first job, are only too happy to do that.
I’m pretty sure the rich corporations are only getting richer by doing away with annual salaries. And with Twitler and his ilk doing away with health insurance, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and keeping salaries low for those who do get to work, “Hunger Games” might not be too far behind.
Russel Ray Photos 
We’re seeing some of this in Canada too. I hate it!
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It’s inevitable that new technology will displace workers. We live in a age that no longer has elevator operators, bag boys, people who come out and pump your gas and clean the windshield and I’m sure we could add more to the list. In fact I just remembered that an anesthesiologist only has a job because the law requires somebody to supervise the robot.
I think that we’ll see Universal basic income at some point. But the advantage will be that those actions will lead to a place where you can use your time for your own benefit.
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Star Trek can’t get here soon enough for me, but I think the 1% will destroy the world first.
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I’m a little bit more optimistic. I think that we will see technology that gives us a way to leave the 1% wondering what happened. For example, we got really close to phasing out banks with Bitcoin. I have to think that the next improvement in code may be the beginning of the end for them.
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They will wind up regulating it. Countries need their tax income.
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Self scanning checkouts are also the norm here in the U.K. and there’s usually a queue, but happily, the staff manned checkouts remain equally busy and Iong may it continue!
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We are still a little way from 100% self-checkout here, thank goodness. But it is only a temporary reprieve from the inevitable.
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Probably in next year’s budget……..
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Ugh. That is not good news. Don’t these corps make enough profit already?
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Nope. I really do think we’re on our way to Hunger Games.
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I sincerely hope not. I’d be hopeless with a weapon of any sort. 😦
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Me, too. I guess a gardening shovel would be my weapon of choice………lol
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-giggles- I swing a mean pickaxe! Ha ha…tools at dawn. 😀
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