I'm getting sick and tired of the expectation that for whatever bureaucratic procedure you need to do you're expected to have a fully functioning digital office: smartphone (e.g. to take photos; will a digital camera do? No!), computer with a selection of browsers to accommodate fickle websites, fail-safe internet connection, printer (colour if possible), scanner, photocopier. All bang up-to-date and in perfect working order.

The latest one I experience was the expectation that I had a colour photocopier. Not even my well equipped workplace has that.

Using technology would be OK if it was a complement to existing methods and optional, but no, it's increasingly becoming a replacement and compulsory. No flexibility or human intervention or inventiveness allowed. Hard-and-fast computer dictates rule the day.

Try to phone and you're made to listen to a robotic voice telling you to press endless options or use their website, before being put on hold and eventually getting through to someone who doesn't seem to know what they're doing, other than tell you to use the website that you can't use or wouldn't be phoning them or forward you to someone else, who sends you back to the robotic voice.

Gone are the days when I could phone someone who spoke to me like a human (using his/her own brain!) and fulfil requests over the phone or by letter (using brain technology!). It was so much simpler back them.

I just love this and think I might get one ("An American space engineer has built her own, one-of-a-kind cell phone with a ROTARY DIAL because she despises smartphones and texting."):

I have a basic phone and I'm happy. No track and trace for me.