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The purpose of reducing human interaction when providing services is to reduce the cost of those services. Looks like nearly all of the examples cited involve o
by 11thEarlOfMar 9y ago
The purpose of reducing human interaction when providing services is to reduce the cost of those services. Looks like nearly all of the examples cited involve one human providing paid services to another. In the name of productivity, the human providing the service is put in play because they are expensive.
It would be more telling to look at social behaviors that don't involve transactions. Family reunions, nights out with the gals, little league games, religious ceremonies, ... Is there a technological force reducing human interactions there? Distracted by the smartphone, perhaps?
And one could argue that technology enables in-person human interraction as well: Flashmobs, Meetups, etc.
- mc32 9y agoIt also eliminates variability. Most services strive to offer predictable services, and, as consumers, most of us also want predictable services. Starbucks is notorious for their mediocrity, but it's predictable. There's little worse in commercial experiences than going to my favorite coffee shop and one day getting a great drink and the next day having a flat drink. Getting fleeced of course is worse.
- losteric 9y agoI have found that good local shops start with higher variance but quickly hone in on excellence. It just takes time for the baristas to learn their regulars. However, that presumes the customer has developed their own tastes... when someone's definition of "good coffee" is "sugar, fat, caffeine", the barista doesn't have a lot of information to hone in the taste.