A less misanthropic alternative: The technology required to replace the person is much smarter and more adaptable than that which was needed to replace the horse. Because of this, you can end up in the horse's role in the story without having to be as dumb as a literal one so long as it's this other lever which moves instead.
makerofthings · · focus · HN ↗
miyoji · · focus · HN ↗
zamadatix · · focus · HN ↗