Final answer:
Computers make routine tasks more efficient but also create new challenges, like constant availability for work. The balance of reliance on computers involves weighing their efficiency against the unique qualities of human intelligence and labor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The role of computers in our lives is complex, as they bring both ease and difficulty to our daily routines. On one hand, automation has replaced many routine jobs, making processes in sectors like bookkeeping more efficient. Technologies such as dishwashers and washing machines have reduced time-consuming labor, yet the promise of time-saving is often offset by issues like internet downtime or the expectation of 24/7 availability, which ironically may not reduce the overall time we spend working. The rise of automated systems like self-checkout lanes has also altered the job market, requiring fewer employees to oversee operations.
Discussions on whether computers can be equated to human minds bring ethical and philosophical questions into the computational realm, especially as artificial intelligence progresses. Ultimately, the degree to which we should rely on computers is governed by a balance between the efficiency they offer and the human elements they cannot replace, such as creativity, empathy, and ethical judgment.