Have We Finally Put Card Readers On Absolutely Everything?

We have a strange relationship with convenience. For instance, we've gone from counting out bills and change to simply tapping our phones on a card reader in order to make a purchase. We have self-checkout at several major retail stores. We're obsessed with making the experience of making a purchase as simple and fast as possible.

Recently I saw something that made me ask if we have finally put a card reader on absolutely everything in our quest for convenience.

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I was at Westgate Mall recently, and I noticed the massive gumball machine in the center court. Immediately I felt a nostalgic need to go and peer at the gumballs inside and maybe snag one for old-time's sake.

Then I noticed something that stopped me from enjoying my little trip down memory lane, and instead made me wonder how crazy our quest for a conveniently cashless existence has become.

The gumball machine had a card reader. It was even equipped to allow you to tap to pay. No need to even swipe your card to make a purchase.

Suddenly, this hallmark of my childhood seemed to take on a futuristic high-tech look that was a bit jarring.

It wound up inspiring some interesting conversations in the office regarding a cashless life, and the quarter-machines we all grew up with. One of the good points brought up was that no one really carries a lot of change with them anymore. The gumball machine had a slot where you could feed it a dollar to get gumballs, along with the card reader.

Others thought it was a bit over-the-top. We went down an imaginary path that wound up with all of the classic quarter-machines having card readers and you taking forever to swipe to get fake tattoos, finger puppets, and a handful of candy.

Imagine a world where a mechanical horse ride costs a dollar and you pull out your phone to pay for it. It just feels weird.

I suppose we should be glad for the convenience and the march into the future. I just wish it didn't make me feel so old.