United Kingdom: Where does the principle of social responsibility stand? Robots are killing jobs and increasing anti-social trends

We talk about technology and about how beautiful technology is. Some bits of technology are obviously very attractive and rewarding for many, but other bits of technology can create social mayhem. Every year, policians of all political colours talk about rates of unemployment, but when it comes to unemployment rates, a single piece of equipment has created a lot of unemployment and especially amongst those more vulnerable in society.

I went to my local supermarket. It was a beehive of activity and the shopping experience was very much a social experience. I knew the attendants and the attendants knew me since I had been going to the same shop day in and day out for several years.

Yesterday, I went to the same local supermarket and it was as quiet as a funeral parlour. All I could see was a queue of puzzled customers and a security guard that had to get out of his way every three minutes to help customers that were struggling to use the self-check out machines that often get stuck while you are registering your shopping.

When shops or banks are not closed down straight away, they usually incorporate self-checkout machines and other automatic equipment. The more automatic equipment is introduced the less of a reason to return as a customer. I value people and I value the social experience. Shopping is not just about putting things into a basket and registering the goods on a robotic machine.

Politicians talk a lot about the importance of building up communities. They are not going to build up communities with robotic machines that are destroying jobs and ruining social experiences. 

Something similar was proposed when the closure of ticket offices in railway stations was mentioned. Should you have a heart attack, should you need any especific information, should you be attacked at the station, you can ask the electronic machine on the wall to help you. This kind of technology is dehumanising and anti-social. It is destroying the very same things that we say that we want in society.

Looting and shoplifting are on the way up. I am sure that looters and shoplifters will care very little about a solitary security guard that would not want to put his or her life in danger by trying to prevent robberies. If you were alone inside a shop and a crowd of undesirables entered the shop to take everything they want or can get from inside the shop, would you stand on their way? A local shop was targetted so many times in a single month that the shop was closed down for good and all this happens because of misuse of technology. Society is about people. Society is not about robotic machines that replaced people. 

Ticket Stations to be closed down: Paradise for criminals and a nightmare for old people, the disabled and the vulnerable

 

The closure of ticket stations leaving stations wide open and complete unguarded could make train stations now go areas and a focus for crime.

If you have an accident, if you suffer suddenly from some health condition and require urgent assistance, if you are lost and require guidance, if you are an elderly person or a mother with small children and require assistance, if you are vulnerable to crime, then you will be on your own and should anything bad happen to you then you will be lost. No aid, no assistance, no guidance, no support.

Private companies are getting away with murder. It is not enough with late trains and cancellations, strikes and announcement about non existing drivers. You wil also have to face what could be extremely dangerous situations because stations will be abandoned, deserted, with no help at hand.

Should electronic systems fail, you will face the prospect of having to pay unjustifiable fines for travelling without tickets. So on top of ever rising travelling fares, you might be forced to pay fines when it is not fault at all that vending machines were faulty.

Punctuality and efficient service? No. More affordable fares? No. Now, on top of that, you will face dangerous situations on your own.

As always, 'a consultation process will be available'. We know what consultation means. Decisions have already been made and whatever is going to be asked is no more than a formality. We do have a government and it is the duty of the environment to ensure that travelling in the United Kingdom is safe and affordable for all. Travelling is not a luxury. Travelling is an absolute necessity for most people using the transport system.