Where Are We Going?

Already Here challenge prompt: Write about one technology, tool, or habit in your everyday life that already feels like science fiction, and what it’s quietly changing.

Some of the things we use every day would have sounded like science fiction not that long ago. Now they're just part of everyday life.

Think about one technology, tool, or everyday habit that already feels like science fiction. It could be something you use every day or something you've only recently started to notice.

Explore how it's changing the way people live, work, create, communicate, or think. Whether your piece is personal, analytical, or reflective, stay grounded in the present and consider what these quiet changes might mean.

Vocal Media

Last week, I was in a big box store and noticed all of the self-help checkout lanes. Busy. One clerk was helping customers check out there. Then one clerk was on a lane checking people out with their items moving along on the belt.

For years now, I have preferred the customer service of the clerk at the regular checkout. How regular is it? Every once in a while, they will need to open another checkout line because no one is using the self-help checkout. As a person born in the 50s, I was hoping the self-help checkout would not last.

Now it has spread to the gas station. It has been a thing at the pumps for some time. I still prefer the full-service gas station, but that went away with the advent of the pay at the pump.

Just the other day while buying gas, I went in for a receipt, and to use the bathroom. As I stood in line waiting for the clerk, I noticed a checkout option where a man was scanning his items, and apparently also paying for his gas.

When I reached the clerk, I inquired about the option of self-pay. He said, it has been working well, and that some people use it regularly. It has an option of using your credit or debit card, cash, and for bagging your own items.

Maybe I will never understand. I don't like it in the gas station any more than I like it at the big box stores, but it really does appear to be staying. More and more, it will take over. Oh well, my time is going and others are coming. I'm told it is hard to get and keep workers. I suppose this is the result.

A few years ago, I noticed the self-checkout option in fast food places. You can order and pickup your items without any interaction with a clerk or employee of the company. I have not tried that either. I decided I do not want machines to take over my whole experience in the world.

Now we get to Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI art. AI writing. AI is developing faster than I can keep up with. My granddaughter has to tell me what is AI when looking at short animal videos online. I really can't tell most of the time, unless it is so far out, that it can't be real!

My son said he can make me a website in a matter of minutes with AI. All I need to do is give him some material I would like to see on there and what is the message I want to relay. AI will do the rest. He has sent me things he has done for his business to ask if it would fly in the Native American world.

When I let him know what the problem is, he plugs that in and some changes are made to fit the objection. For being his culture consultant, he wants to make me a website. I'm not sure if that is really what I want.

Knowing that this isn't all there is that has changed in how things are being done. I do like to depend on people. I enjoy talking to the clerk when checking out. I really do feel like all of this can't end well. And I know it will only continue.