Why are we letting computers replace our brains?

Question

I go to a store, and the cashier can't add unless the register tells him/her the answer. I call the company, and the service person can't fulfill my request because there is no computer option for it. The telemarketer calls me but can't answer my question because it's not in the computerized script. Everybody knows computers are dumb but still treats them like they're gods. Why are we so welcoming of this and letting our brains atrophy?

Answer 1

Perhaps you are generalizing. Some people are like that and some are not. Things change, life changes. Technology is here to stay. Many people can't live without their cell phones and would have a hard time if suddenly the world could no longer use them. I personally hate cell phones. I do not let my brain atrophy though. I love reading and I enjoy to do word games that make me think and challenge me. And as far as math, look at the new craze of suduko, that involves math and people love it! It's true there are negatives but not all is bad :)

Answer 2

There is an active effort to battle some of this. In some cases, you get what you pay for. Let's face it, some of these jobs are unskilled labor. Too bad that also means uneducated in some cases. Some people choose not to be educated. We can't help that. Computers make so many things easier. They can triple check things and correct errors. When I was a cashier, I was slow. I was also deliberate checking my numbers three times in front of the customer. I made mistakes and caught them. People in general are in a hurry. They don't care if you make a mistake because the computer will catch it. Otherwise you have a good point. Just remember, buyer beware and you get what you pay for. Employers are effectively buying labor. That's basically it. It's a choice. It's a stupid choice, but still a choice. Laziness has a little to do with it too.

Answer 3

It's a social evolutionary by-product of convienence.

Retail and customer service representatives are hired primarily for their physical characteristics and customer service - these days, that's just a fact of the retail world.

Manual Laborers need only to know repetitive tasks, there isn't much sense in trying to educate people who don't have a natural disposition to learning certain skills the majority of us take for granted, so the social landscape shifts to compensate for them.

Not to say that everyone who uses a computer is a moron, but computers do help to integrate people into the workforce who would otherwise be victims of social darwinism.

Answer 4

Because we generally no longer USE our brains!!!

Letting something do the work for us has always been what most humans do,
whether it be a beast of burden, slaves, water, electricity or even microorganisms.
We look to our environment and notice things and use those things to change our environment so we can have more time.

I could go on for ages but that's the shortest i can do right now.
"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

Answer 5

Who's we? Got a gerbil in your pocket, cause you're not talking about me.

A computer, calculator, etc are tools that I use to assist me, not to replace my abilities to do other things.

As for the telemarketer- likely he knows exactly what's on his page and no more because it's not profitable to actually train the people about each account they are selling for, when that guy will likely be selling another product tomorrow.

I'm not sure who you hang out with, but the group I choose to be around - for a multitude of reasons, including their knoweldge and intelligence (Collectively and as individuals) are distinctly technologically impaired. I've raised my kids to be able to function without the tech. Do the same for yours, as a favor to them.

Answer 6

Why did you pose this question via a computer to a network of people on computers instead of going out on the street and doing a straw poll?

Because this is quicker and easier.

Answer 7

I'm not,but the fact is(at least for me) that I only have
so much room in my internal hard drive.

The rest,I will enjoy the convenience of the web for

information,plus I always am learning something as a result.

Answer 8

what percentage of the population were

conversant
literate
able to do arithmetic

20, 50, 100, 200, 500 years ago?

Answer 9

Because it's easy and people are lazy.