I don't think the purpose was to screw anyone over, of course, the benefits are obvious. It is much easier to deal with a large volume (any volume, really) of d

I don't think the purpose was to screw anyone over, of course, the benefits are obvious. It is much easier to deal with a large volume (any volume, really) of digital applications. You can pool from a much wider application base and like you said you don't physically need to be there to apply. But my impression is that it was more of a monkey paw curl for applicants than a boon. I definitely think a human knowing you exist when you submit an application would add a small hint of humanity back to the process. I watched my wife recently submit dozens of applications and heard back from only a handful in the form of rejections, it was like throwing darts in a dark room.