In more and more places and in more and more applications humans are being replaced with electronic or do-it-yourself interaction modes. The latest is the self-checkout at grocery and department stores. Perhaps if most users were proficient with all the push-button interfaces we would be able to "get more done." But I maintain that "getting more done" is not all that it is about. I insist that as a social species, the more we separate ourselves from each other, the worse is our quality of life, even if we ARE "getting more done."

Case in point: I can listen to dozens of CDs at home without the hassle of getting there and getting home. But having the people on the stage or in the circle, some smelling sweetly, and some not, some misbehaving, and some being charming, having some of (whatever) to drink or eat is superior to that lonesome experience, even though both are listening to music.

Let vigorous discussion ensue.