In theory, advancements in technology are beneficial until a normal person is trying to get information or get assistance.

For example, automated phone systems save money and help people obtain general information.  But if you are trying to retrieve information that is not typically a general question, hair pulling frustration is imminent.  Today, I have tried to get a replacement 1099 form from both State of California and Social Security.  The automated system of the State of California office did not connect me to a person but rather hung up on me two times before finally being connected to a live person. Even more challenging is after two call back attempts by the Social Security office; the customer service “challenged” person could not help me and now I am going to go in person to the nearest office.

As the child born to a boomer, I grew up appreciating technology as it advanced; such as, embraced the ability to have my computer at home even when it was not commonplace, embraced joining AOL in 1994, and embraced cell phones by having one since 1993. And you would think as we are in 12^th year of the 21^st century, the balance between technology, automation and human interaction could find a balance or maybe I’m in denial.