Computers are amazing machines; they can do things beyond the ability of mere humans: fly aerodynamically unstable fighter jets, unravel the mysteries of the human genome, and taking orders in a fast-food restaurant. In a Burger King restaurant on Sunset Boulevard there are touch screen terminals on which you can place your order, pay with cash or credit card, and then wait for the staff to mess-up your order. The only difference between these terminals and a human is that it now takes longer to place your order. The terminals even do that annoying thing of asking if you want a drink after you have placed an order for a burger – if I had wanted a drink, I would have asked for one. The differences are actually rather more substantial, with a human taking your order, you do not need someone standing by the customer instructing them in how to use the system.
I have had to use the BK on Sunset several times in the last few days, as my wife has been in hospital across the street. There is one real advantage to these machines; they lie unused while technophobic people queue to have their order taken in the traditional manner. I have ignored this queue entirely by using the machine. If this lack of use persists, I doubt I will see many more of these units deployed.
