In "Empire Falls" by Richard Russo, a character named Max comments on how someone never picks up their phone during the day, allowing their answering machine to take calls instead. This behavior reflects a trend where individuals prefer to let technology handle communication rather than engage directly. Max's observation highlights a growing reliance on modern inventions to filter interactions.

Miles responds by implying that people like Max are contributing to the rise of such technology. His remark suggests that societal behaviors are influencing the development of tools designed to evade direct contact. This conversation encapsulates a larger commentary on how personal choices shape technological evolution, illustrating a shift in the ways people connect with one another.