Thanks for your years of service to the Company, Jim.

[Remington]

Jim, you know this is hard for me to do.

What?
No, it's not a problem with your crew's performance. In fact, your numbers have been up this quarter significantly, right across the board. We couldn't be happier.


You've been one of the most useful, productive managers we've had so far in this company. No-one's doubting how efficient you've been, nor how trustworthy. The problem, Jim, is something that's really out of our hands. See, just last week, you became obsolete. The company's found software that can do your job better than you can, at least according to the vendor's benchmarks. It's for the sake of efficiency... I'm sure you understand.


Hey, don't get angry. This wasn't my decision; it came down from up on high. The Company needs to monitor and control it's workforce directly, while still continuing those budget cuts. We got hit real hard with the recession... everyone did. You've been a good employee, though, and we'd like to keep you on in some capacity... maybe in custodial services? No? Alright.


Well, I'm glad that's settled. Sorry it had to come to this, but progress is progress. You can be out of this office by 3:00, right? We need room for the server racks.

[Doktor Howl]

Nightmare fuel, ITT.   

[Doktor Howl]

This is gonna catch on, too.  People now DEMAND that machines tell them what to do.

Dok,
Won't even listen to automated receptionists.

[Adios]

This is gonna catch on, too.  People now DEMAND that machines tell them what to do.

Dok,
Won't even listen to automated receptionists.

Damn Skippy.

[Remington]

A question.
When you end up serving a computer, instead of the other way around...


Who's the machine?

[Doktor Howl]

A question.

When you're employed by a computer, carrying out its functions, and serving it instead of the other way around...


Who's the machine?

Everyone/everything involved.

If this catches on, you're going to read about me in the paper. 

[Requia ☣]

I just hope I can be in the room when the guy who laid me off gets replaced by a computer.  

[Remington]

A question.

When you're employed by a computer, carrying out its functions, and serving it instead of the other way around...


Who's the machine?

Everyone/everything involved.

If this catches on, you're going to read about me in the paper.  

Truth be told, I don't expect it to, at least not on a large corporate scale. The software seems to be geared for hiring, managing, coordinating large swarms of temporary contract employees. Workforce-on-demand situations, instead of long-term corporate situations involving management hierarchies.

Basically what this software does is eliminate middle management and allows top-level executive control over on-demand workforce. Actual humans are still essential to most management scenarios, as no software program has the same ability of comprehensive situational judgement that humans do.




...But then again, I'm a hopeless optimist. If the worst does happen, at least I'm ahead of the curve as the guy who controls the computers. Network admin, baby.

[Adios]

We could make a movie. We could name it Terminator.

Wait........

[Elder Iptuous]

second time in a week that i thought this short story seemed somewhat appropriate to link to:
http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm

[Doktor Howl]

Truth be told, I don't expect it to, at least not on a large corporate scale. The software seems to be geared for hiring, managing, coordinating large swarms of temporary contract employees. Workforce-on-demand situations, instead of long-term corporate situations involving management hierarchies.

Um, everything is workforce-on-demand.

We have achieved "just on time delivery" for people.

[Doktor Howl]

Basically what this software does is eliminate middle management and allows top-level executive control over on-demand workforce.

Am I the only one that sees the huge fucking humor potential here?

[Remington]

Um, everything is workforce-on-demand.

We have achieved "just on time delivery" for people.

Am I the only one that sees the huge fucking humor potential here?

Yes and no, respectively 

[Doktor Howl]

Um, everything is workforce-on-demand.

We have achieved "just on time delivery" for people.

Am I the only one that sees the huge fucking humor potential here?

Yes and no, respectively 

Trevor the MBA is now going to directly supervise the machinists.

[Adios]

Um, everything is workforce-on-demand.

We have achieved "just on time delivery" for people.

Am I the only one that sees the huge fucking humor potential here?

Yes and no, respectively 

Trevor the MBA is now going to directly supervise the machinists.

OFUK