The inevitable decline of humanity begins

Bow down to your robotic master, puny human slaves!

Kiss your cushy jobs goodbye, people. The age of robot workers has begun--in Japan, of course.

Need temporary help on your company's reception desk? One Japanese employment agency is suggesting you try recruiting a robot.

For just under 50,000 yen ($430) a month, a fraction of the cost of a human temp, the PeopleStaff agency will dispatch Hello Kitty Robo, a robotic receptionist capable of sensing a visitor's presence, greeting him or her and holding simple conversations.

Sure, it's just robot temps now, but don't be surprised when one of these days, you get called into the boss's office, only to find out that he's been replaced and your new cybernetic overlord tells you that you're being transferred to an off-world mining colony to dig up the ore that will be used to build your cheaper, more competent robotic replacement.

Sounds far-fetched? Well, don't come crying to me when your kids end up as the batteries that power the Matrix.