dependance on technology

my car was short on gas so i decided to make a quick spin to the gas station. but i was short on money too, so i paid the next ATM a visit. to my big surprise (and frustration) the ATM in question was out of order. that happens occationally so i did not mind and drove to another nearby ATM that was out of order as well. what the hell? with my tank almost empty and still no money for refuelling i figured it would be best to ask my bank what is going on. they told me straighforward that no single ATM in the whole district is working (including the credit card verification at the checkout) because someone damaged the dedicated line that connects all ATMs with the central server and for what apparent reason whatsoever they do not have a backup or redundant line (and did not manage to repair the broken line in more than 4 hours)! at least i had some old fashioned change in my pocket, otherwise i would have ended up with an empty tank in the middle of nowhere… welcome to the wonderful world of high technology.