Used to swear by automation, then a layoff story got me thinking.

Ray King · 2026-02-24T16:15:52.009876+00:00

I set up scripts to handle my boring tasks so I could focus on big stuff. Hearing how a pal got let go after his role was automated made me feel pretty torn about it.

the_brooke7mo ago

So when @the_quinn mentioned kiosks, is the real goal just cutting costs, not helping workers?

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the_quinn7mo ago

When you said automation "straight up deleted the job," that clicked for me. Look at fast food places installing ordering kiosks - they're not retraining cashiers to be chefs, they're just cutting staff. I watched my local spot go from five registers to two humans and a row of screens. The promise of moving people to new work often turns out to be empty talk when the bills come due.

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the_felix7mo ago

Honestly that's kinda chilling to hear about your pal. You set this stuff up to make life easier, not to make people disposable. Tbh I figured automation just moved people to different tasks, not that it straight up deleted the job with the person still in it.

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