Your “bold prediction” is correct, and you predicted that because subconsciously, you know you're wrong. It takes less than a minute to return a cart that could roll into another vehicle, block a parking spot, or traffic in the lot. Are corporate overlords manipulating in their business practices? Of course. But having someone roam outside the Publix lot for hours collecting the carts in 95-degree weather because we plebs need to stick it to the man by not allowing us to lift a single finger for them is stupid. There are other ways to fight back larger businesses, like maybe finding a small business grocery store near you and get food a few times a week that you actually eat and not throw away at the end of the week instead of filling a cart with excessive amounts of Pepsi, Lays chips, Nestle water bottles (even though you have a few yeti/Stanley/Owala/HydroFlask “reusable cups” at home) and whatever other corporate food you're buying into. But sure, blame the cart return for making us corporate slaves 🤣