‘Our reliance on tech is lazy and tragic —can’t we do our jobs?’

Do we really need robot waiters or restaurant menus accessible only by QR code? (Picture: The Beachcomber)

What’s your take on our dependence on technology?

It’s not just a concern for older folks; readers of all ages are sharing their thoughts on the topic.

It’s becoming apparent that more and more services rely on having a device, but the question is: has this actually led to improved service? What if you simply don’t want one?

Here we share just some their views – let us know what you think.

The ‘zombiefication’ of the modern smart phone world

Do our smartphones make us ignorant? (Picture: CHRISTOPH SCHMIDT/DPA/AFP via Getty)

I totally agree with Fi Rosen (MetroTalk, Wed), who bemoaned the ‘zombiefication’ of the modern smartphone world.

Yes, everybody is walking about glued to their damn phones all the time, walking into you. Nobody speaks to one another. Ignorant people everywhere. Poor service in shops. I am 47 but it has never been like this and so bad. Helen, via email

Why has there been no full public consultation on the march of this inhuman techno-dystopia? And whose interests are being served by it? It’s high time that humanity thinks again. Richard, Stroud

Paul (MetroTalk, Fri) asks what Fi Rosen would have made of the invention of the motorcar, TV and cash machines and describes her as having an ‘inexplicable fear of new technology’.

Fi doesn’t have a fear of technology, she was merely making an observation that the modern world has created an environment where people no longer need to talk to another human being.

In this technical world that has seduced so many, people have learnt to converse sarcastically, just as Paul did.

Maybe he should take some online classes on how to be pleasant and respectful? Anne, London

Automation simply isn’t inclusive yet

I’m 71 and am finding it very difficult to access services due to my lack of smart equipment. Also, I grew up in the paper-and-pen era.

I and many thousands like me are becoming marginalised.

This country is not as inclusive as it likes to think it is. Valerie Ewart, Newcastle Upon Tyne

These planned ticket office closures are a scandal. I have already been reduced to tears trying to cope with online bookings. Archan James, via email

Last year over 120million tickets were bought at a ticket office – why get rid?

Rail authorities are closing ticket offices because too few people use them (Picture: Maureen McLean/REX/Shutterstock)

The rail authorities are closing ticket offices because only 12 per cent of people use them.

The latest figures show there were 990million rail journeys in the 12 months to March 2022, which means that ticket offices were used almost 120million times.

Now, 12 per cent sounds like not much but 120million sounds a great deal. What would the people who were involved in those 120million transactions do without the ticket office? A foolhardy proposal. Howard Walmsley, Bromley

Trying to resist? Think again…

Our freedom of choice is being eroded. We are being forced to do our banking online, which not everyone wants to do.

Electric vehicles are being rolled out, despite the infrastructure not being in place. Car manufacturers are looking at different types of fuel. But can the batteries be recycled? Will the National Grid be able to cope with the spikes on usage? What happens in a power cut?

What happens when they break? (Picture: flickr Editorial/Getty)

And now they want to close ticket offices. What happens when the machine isn’t working?

There are so many apps out there for everything but with memory overload over usernames and passwords, people tend to use the same ones, leaving themselves open to being scammed.

And so the list goes on – the next generation will not have the face-to-face interaction others were lucky to have. Jo, Kent

These technologies have not been developed for our benefit but rather to make or save money. Trevor, Barnes

I’d say we have about five years before cash disappears and everything is monitored. You won’t even be able to pop out to buy a loaf of bread without Big Brother knowing where you are.

Oh, but it’s so much easier, people say, times change. Or they say they have nothing to hide, so what’s the problem?

But that’s not really the point is it? I’m not a conspiracy theorist or anything but I don’t want to live in a society like that. I want the option as a free agent. Dec, Essex

And finally… A reader gives their perspective on the issues facing men

Caitlin Moran’s new book is about the issues facing men (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

Caitlin Moran has followed up her best-selling book How To Be A Woman with What About Men? in which she investigates the pressures faced by men, including such high rates of suicide, prison sentences and school exclusion.

I agree with most of what she says in your interview with her (Metro, Wed) and do think men should learn from women’s rights campaigns and redefine their role in the modern world.

I think a lot of men have been tricked into believing they are already privileged and don’t have any issues or difficulties.

I do think we need a men’s rights and issues campaign to dispel the myth that men have it so good.

One misconception Caitlin does seem to still believe is that men have nothing to worry about when walking the streets at night.

I can say I’m a man and I avoid being out late at night if I can avoid it. Being male doesn’t guarantee you’re safe from being a victim of an assault. Mr Bell, via email

Readers aren’t sure automation is as helpful in our lives as it’s claimed to be.