This year, in a stark warning about epidemic levels of loneliness and isolation, the U.S. surgeon general dedicated a section of his advisory to the effects of technology on social connection. Two-thirds of Americans said technology has made it harder to meaningfully connect, and nearly 70% said it has led to a decrease in empathy, according to a recent survey from PlayUSA, a website that covers online gambling.
Still, 66% of respondents said they would choose a self-service kiosk over a human-run checkout, often citing speed and preferring not to talk to anyone. But there was a sharp divide along generational lines: Although 84% of Gen Zers prefer self-checkouts, it dropped to 46% for baby boomers. The survey didn’t include a breakdown of the Silent Generation, Myers’ age group.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.