[ExI] Receipts, Choice and Unintended Consequences

[Dan TheBookMan]

On Wed, Sep 30, 2015 at 2:23 AM, Ben <bbenzai at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Ha! I wrote the above before reading (from Dan):
>
> "Many places now ask if the customer want a printed receipt. Places using
> Square also just email a receipt, so nothing gets printed -- unless there's
> a special request"
>
> So, some element of choice, here - and some pressure to give out an email
> address.
>

My understanding is that with Square, you give Square your email address. I
don't know how easy it is for the retailer or clerk to find it out from
there.


> Paper is still needed though, at least for many purposes.  There are good
> reasons why the 'paperless office' never took off.
>

While true, paper use can be seriously reduced for many things. For
instance, about a decade ago, before I used a GPS device, I would print out
directions and maps. Then I started using Garmin devices, and promptly
stopped printing out directions and maps. Now I don't even use dedicated
GPS devices since GPS is available on just about anything -- and if you
have a connection you can access updated maps and directions. If you don't
have a connection -- say, if you're out of area or off the grid, which I
often am -- you can plan ahead and simply have digital copies of maps and
directions on whatever devices you carry.


> There will always be unintended consequences, of course, but the
> 'prescriptive solutions' mindset is at least something we can try to guard
> against.
>

I agree about top-down solutions. I think the paperless thing is working
itself out now. It will be evolutionary process, but likely a quick one as
people learn it's easier to do without paper in almost all situations and
the younger generation simply doesn't have the same concerns.

Regards,

Dan
  Sample my Kindle books via:
http://www.amazon.com/Dan-Ust/e/B00J6HPX8M/
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