McDonald's to replace cashiers' with touch-screen computers

I'm not too worried about losing some unskilled minimum wage jobs. Honestly, I'd rather support people on welfare than employ them in an endeavor that adds no value.

 

ok so how does this relate to UFOs again?

 

Pssht. Let me know when they start offering handjobs like Starbucks.

 

<i>Regulated</i> against?



...



<i>Regulated against</i>?!?

 

You'd rather pay people for doing no work, than for people who do something?

 

The Milkman, Ice Delivery Man, and Stagecoach Driver unions stand with you!

 

I'd prefer they just cull them altogether.

 

They have those at jack in the box, but they have cashiers to.

 

I don't know where you got that number but I can guarantee you that there are considerably more than 1400 McDonalds in the US.

 

I agree. soon innovation is going to kill the middle and below-middle class All these low paying jobs will be taken over by computers eventually; then it will strike the middle class jobs. The US class hierarchy will be Very Rich or Very Poor since our education system isn't preparing people to take over the high tech jobs of the future. I still think the country needs to keep these type of jobs "un-automated" so the people that don't have education can find work and contribute to the economy.

Not an economist so it is probably wildly more complicated than that.

 

You're suggesting that each McDonald's employs 71+ cashiers? No wonder they are looking into this.

 

So wait... Will these touch-screen computers be solo en espanol just like the cashiers being replaced? Will it still get my order wrong, even though all I'm asking for is a medium order of fries and a large drink? Will it take the computers 20 minutes to give me my medium fries and large drink, even though people who ordered 15 minutes after me are already sitting and eating?

If so, I'll pass. I'd rather be mad at people for that kind of inefficiency.

 

That's certainly the dystopian view of things. And I tend to think that it's entirely possible. But you can't stop progress just to keep knuckle-draggers employed. If this comes about, it might be a catalyst for some of these people to get motivated and change their lives.

However, these new tech innovations do create jobs in manufacturing and service/repair which will pay better. So what's better for the economy? 5 cashiers who make minimum wage or a well paid technician will in turn be smarter with his money?

 

Haha. I meant 14,000 Mcdonalds, of course. :grin:

 

Not sure what McD's you frequent, but at least one positive thing you can say about McD's is that they are efficient.

"60 seconds service time, 120 seconds taking order and receiving food. max waiting time is 5 mins"

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_mcdonalds_service_times#ixzz1NIrVWLB7

You should get it free otherwise.

 

Customer service? At a fast food joint? I have to established a freakin relationship before I get good customer service.

I much rather tap a touchscreen than put up with the present "customer service" attitude.

(disclaimer: I've made a decent living for a good while as someone serving others)

 

Who do you think is designing the kiosks.

 

Yes. We collectively support them through our taxes or else in the cost of the burger. If they aren't adding any value to that burger (because they can't do anything a computer can't do better), it's welfare through the corporation instead of through the government. The fact that they are working is an illusion of capitalism. So, if everyone else is paying their way regardless, why should they run around, get belittled by bosses, and eat crappy food? May as well relax at home.

Some will be content to persist in the government welfare and they will continue to cost us. But the cost is dampened by a fraction of those laid-off choosing instead to get some education or get a skill and find a way to create value in society to live better. If we preserve the jobs that create no value, we support that entire population instead of a portion of it. We're paying them to do the fast-food equivalent of digging holes and filling them up again.

That's my MBA-informed socialism. You'll maximize everyone's standard of living through efficiency, even when that efficiency creates deadweight from workers who can't contribute. Ethics and political stability demand those people are provided for. But, it's a small price to pay to support them considering the benefits we get from laying them off.

 

Since we're throwing out credentials, which college did you receive this MBA from?