I assumed a basic level of abstract thinking since this is HN.

For the point I illustrated it does not matter. Everything is needed. The record somewhere will not be sufficient to get you your flat back when you return from holidays. Nor will a the police w/o a judge. Or the judge w/o having the the record to look at.

And re. "always a computer": trust me, in Germany where I live, it will not be a computer for years to come. Everything is paper here. :D