General Discussion

meadowlander

(5,163 posts)

30. I mostly just laugh and count all the money I didn't waste on it.

Fri Apr 16, 2021, 08:36 PM

Apr 2021

Smart refrigerators? Really? How hard is it to keep track of what's in your fridge and write a shopping list on a notepad so you can take it to the store with you. If the app takes longer than pen and paper why are people spending thousands on it?

The most asinine "smart technology" I've seen is a tray with a computer chip that can keep track of how many eggs you have left in it. What's next? Smart toilets?

I'm also an old crank about Alexa, Siri and all the similar recording devices people insist on installing in their own homes. Why are the best and brightest in our society working on problems like how to avoid reaching up and using the light switch manually or opening your computer/phone and just googling shit instead of working on world hunger, anti-aging medicine, the next pandemic, and climate change?

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I am in a constant struggle with all the electronic crap and "upgrades" that do nothing to improve [View all] Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 OP

Used to have a wall phone. Loved it. dchill Apr 2021 #1

Like this? El Supremo Apr 2021 #8

My great grandma had one of those. hunter Apr 2021 #17

Well, no. Mine had the new-fangled rotary dial. dchill Apr 2021 #47

We had a new fangled rotary phone with a party line. SergeStorms Apr 2021 #62

we had a "party line" too! If someone was using the line you waited. How novel! Was that socialism?? Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #69

The telephone companies. SergeStorms Apr 2021 #87

Still hate AT&T. Look at the largest buildings in every major city. Banks and insurance companies. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #131

I rember that one - AncientOfDays Apr 2021 #78

The world feels to be shrinking Xavier Breath Apr 2021 #2

Agreed. Live long and prosper. Boston dedicated a Leonard Nimoy day. Totally logical. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #6

I was not aware that they had done that Xavier Breath Apr 2021 #10

it ESPECIALLY sucks when you deal with it both at work and at home Skittles Apr 2021 #3

Amen. I resisted for years to have one in the house and succumbed 14 years ago, to my regret! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #5

I only wish I had just one laptop at work! Skittles Apr 2021 #11

I know........seriously thinking.....I'M DONE WITH IT ALL......although I do love texting. a kennedy Apr 2021 #4

I am the opposite. I HATE texting. smirkymonkey Apr 2021 #12

and some just do Facebook and you can't even email them?? Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #16

As for texting... druidity33 Apr 2021 #92

I hate texting as well PatSeg Apr 2021 #104

I agree with you completely in every way! smirkymonkey Apr 2021 #111

I have small hands, but I still have trouble PatSeg Apr 2021 #119

I hear ya. I worry about the next gen. They are losing actual interaction. nt Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #120

+1000 llmart Apr 2021 #124

That's exactly how I feel about texting. llmart Apr 2021 #122

But you have to be on a "plan" to text. ie. paying more money. I find it convenient as well, Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #13

I use a phone GPS but considering getting a regular GPS...and losing the unlimited data...I don't Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #25

That's another issue. I have had multiple GPS's screw up at very inconvenient times. Gimme a map! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #40

I have a prepaid flip phone. No credit check, no contract, no plan. hunter Apr 2021 #115

Who's your provider? Sounds pretty good. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #134

We pay 80/mo for two limes... Rosco T. Apr 2021 #147

That's a good deal. Thanks for the info. Did the phone come from T-Mobile? I need a new one. OLD LG Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #149

Yup the phone came from T-Mo Rosco T. Apr 2021 #163

Thanks Rosco! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #165

David Thoreau said it best: packman Apr 2021 #7

To spend some time at Walden Pond. A worthy aspiration. I try my best. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #15

Wow. llmart Apr 2021 #127

I left out Henry. Sorry. I have lived it as well. Have you seen "Alone in the Wilderness"? Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #137

Yes, I have. llmart Apr 2021 #143

Yes it was. In Alaska filmed by a man who did it all. Sounds like you had great parents. Salute. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #145

I found him fascinating. llmart Apr 2021 #146

Mine was a very self-absorbed artist! Gratefully he was fairly liberal and a Dem. WWII vet. GI Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #148

And Get off My Lawn, You Kids! MineralMan Apr 2021 #9

Oh that just hurts. And the same goes for your little dog too! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #14

I want my vcr recorder back Tree Lady Apr 2021 #18

Agree. meadowlander Apr 2021 #26

Can't you get Kanopy dianaredwing Apr 2021 #59

Play on has a small lifetime fee and you can record antenna shows and even if you have say Hulu Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #27

Still use our VCR and turntable (vinyl just sounds better) Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #41

Have you seen VCR-quality video side-by-side with current tech? Silent3 Apr 2021 #112

Ironic OP given your username. Celerity Apr 2021 #19

My wish to "evolve" involves moving towards a more tolerant society based on acceptance of other Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #28

fair enough Celerity Apr 2021 #39

Landlines were significantly cheaper and the idea you have to be available 24/7 has led to Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #29

good points, & COVID's certainly exacerbated the trend toward atomisation & isolation for many Celerity Apr 2021 #38

It's not that I don't want to be informed. There is plenty to choose from. But I thought between Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #43

We had rolling blackouts back in the early 2000's. llmart Apr 2021 #130

I lead a fairly simple life by choice and always have. senseandsensibility Apr 2021 #20

Funny thing is that I'm 75 years old, and love all that technology. MineralMan Apr 2021 #21

Have you been hacked? We have suffered multiple data breeches at home and at work. It's good Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #24

Nope. Never. I am very, very careful. MineralMan Apr 2021 #33

So are we. So far, Equifax, Target, Home Depot, Blue Cross and credit card hacks. Someone in UK did Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #45

This is quite right. It has made our lives easier in many ways. Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #31

Well, your background was in IT! Nt USALiberal Apr 2021 #86

It was, but only sort of. MineralMan Apr 2021 #96

Interesting......... USALiberal Apr 2021 #98

The first program I had to do was one that MineralMan Apr 2021 #103

Yes, I don't miss those days! Nt USALiberal Apr 2021 #109

Ug. Hated Fortran and Cobal. Dropped the class. Sounds like you enjoyed it. More power to ya! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #150

I didn't enjoy it at the time, but it introduced me to MineralMan Apr 2021 #152

It's just interesting what people gravitate toward, embrace or just tolerate. Not sure when I Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #159

Well, I'm not a Luddite, by any means. MineralMan Apr 2021 #160

We don't love maintaining it, but we love having it to use. Hortensis Apr 2021 #93

What I like best of all is instant access to information about anything. MineralMan Apr 2021 #97

Yes, yes, yes! And, yes! Information availability is magnificent. Hortensis Apr 2021 #99

In 1971, I was doing research for my Master's thesis. MineralMan Apr 2021 #106

Marvelous story. I didn't go on for a master's but I absolutely Hortensis Apr 2021 #141

You're not alone. The shit keeps growing. yonder Apr 2021 #22

Motorcycle and toothbrush. OK cash too! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #140

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Apr 2021 #23

I mostly just laugh and count all the money I didn't waste on it. meadowlander Apr 2021 #30

I like Siri for playing music in the car. I have apple music (an indulgence I know) and I Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #32

I actually enjoy pulling Alexa's plug from the wall. She's a spy. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #46

The most asinine "smart technology" I've seen is something that smells the coffee beans & alerts NBachers Apr 2021 #80

Now that's ridiculous. Like your tag line about Repugs BTW! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #154

Back in my day.... CrackityJones75 Apr 2021 #34

My Mother wouldn't let us have TV...I mean everyone else in the world had TV...but she Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #35

same here! Didn't have a TV in the house until I bought one at age 13 for school (OK and Gilligan's Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #49

My Father despaired of the 'new generation'...'bunch of half wits'...he would mutter. Demsrule86 Apr 2021 #36

My Mom was in her 80's and she'd say to me while we watched a commerical full of special effects and Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #48

+1!!! This stuff was supposed to be time saving! Dustlawyer Apr 2021 #37

I hear your frustration. ancianita Apr 2021 #42

Thanks. Yeah, I'm pretty saturated after the last 4 years...Is that the Navajo code breakers? Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #51

No, it's about the woman who mapped RNA and thereby enabled RNA vaccines. ancianita Apr 2021 #81

Thank you so much. That is very interesting. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #121

I hear ya bucolic_frolic Apr 2021 #44

Spam ware, bloat ware (WTF?) running in the background even if you have good virus/ spam filters Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #58

money maker for nothing! monkeyman1 Apr 2021 #71

Now ancianita Apr 2021 #85

Not sure what you do or don't use your Mac for, but I've found ... eppur_se_muova Apr 2021 #90

My iMac has reached the end of its upgradeability, and Tracer Apr 2021 #108

Well, ancianita Apr 2021 #110

appreciated! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #129

Laundry phone? madamesilverspurs Apr 2021 #50

Jeezus Peezus. Quarters please! Retina scan linked to bank account to utilize washing machine?? Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #55

My car wash had those annoying special tokens, and moonscape Apr 2021 #57

This message was self-deleted by its author Chin music Apr 2021 #123

Evolve Dammit cayugafalls Apr 2021 #52

With all due respect to Cayuga Falls (or Watkins Glenn) screw it. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #56

All said while typing on a computer and communicating with thousands, I meant no disrespect. cayugafalls Apr 2021 #66

"There is nothing about technology that imposes itself on the user without the users consent..." Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #68

Like what? Paper forms exist for almost all things that Seniors need, you just gotta ask. cayugafalls Apr 2021 #73

Meanwhile, lack of access to the internet as a basic utility Hortensis Apr 2021 #95

Thank you. You are correct. I just find it intruding on our lives from so many angles. Happy Spring Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #133

well ,this is what i said ! monkeyman1 Apr 2021 #53

Yep. I worry about our ability to cope as we have lost many valuable skills and knowledge. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #63

agree'd monkeyman1 Apr 2021 #70

Don't think they could survive without electronics for navigation, (air, water) etc. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #72

Computers were supposed to make life easier, Demobrat Apr 2021 #54

More succinctly said than my rant! It is a major time sucker. No humans needed, except to pay $. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #60

I'm a writer by trade. When my IBM selectric (yes, I'm that old) Demobrat Apr 2021 #83

I'm pathetic with a typewriter Silent3 Apr 2021 #114

It's not the word processing that's the problem. Demobrat Apr 2021 #116

I agree. My job only required a word processor (or selectric) for letters. Changed dramatically. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #126

Most identity protection services are utter bullshit. Initech Apr 2021 #61

Right. And you have to try to scrutinze what is legit or possibly spam/hack attempt. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #65

My theory about scammers is that there are a *LOT* of them out there. Initech Apr 2021 #89

We're good about that. Anti-virus, don't click on stuff, etc. Credit card fraud has been rampant Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #132

The fracturing of which you speak has been a long time coming. BobTheSubgenius Apr 2021 #64

20 years ago I heard that all combined "technology" was doubling every 8 years. Try to keep up. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #67

walk out a store with a lap & next day it's out of date ! duh ! monkeyman1 Apr 2021 #75

I have gone from a party line to VOIP RainCaster Apr 2021 #74

What's a VOIP? See! Another new acronym. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #76

VOIP - Voice Over Internet Protocol Rosco T. Apr 2021 #84

In rural places like where I live, it's pretty modern RainCaster Apr 2021 #91

'73?? I need a horse, tablet and chisel. So sad. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #128

I have to disagree on Skype/VOIP. meadowlander Apr 2021 #88

This is a good example of positive tech. improvement Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #155

The laptop I'm using right now is 11 years old and still going strong. Kaleva Apr 2021 #77

Glad it's all working well for you! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #79

I'm 62 and really love the modern technology. Kaleva Apr 2021 #82

not debating medical advances; added years to my parents lives. Our corporate health care system Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #125

Which OS are you running? hunter Apr 2021 #100

Windows 10 Kaleva Apr 2021 #101

Moore's Law ain't what it used to be when it comes to laptops and PCs Silent3 Apr 2021 #113

My gripe is with web sites that become unusable after myriad redesigns Generic Brad Apr 2021 #94

good insight. It changes so rapidly that good models are discarded for "new" not improved. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #136

It occurred to me this morning that the most uplifting part of this whole week has been Vinca Apr 2021 #102

I found the funeral very comforting as well. Some normalcy in an insane world. Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #135

I feel you. I just spent a week switching cell phone companies Mosby Apr 2021 #105

Is someone forcing you to write this rant on your computer or smart phone? brooklynite Apr 2021 #107

One of these days I'm going to build a candlestick phone with an AI operator. hunter Apr 2021 #118

"Get off my lawn kid!11" BannonsLiver Apr 2021 #117

I would be thrilled to go back to having one telephone kskiska Apr 2021 #138

It was just easier. If you're not home, call back. Answering machines are helpful to screen the crap Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #139

I AM old already, heading for 77. kskiska Apr 2021 #142

That's for darn sure. Love my neighbors but rarely communicate. Hang in there! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #144

My mother is 82 and works heavily with computers... brooklynite Apr 2021 #151

That is a great example. Neither of my parents or siblings wanted anything to do with computers. By Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #156

I've got a place near me that makes sabots the old fashioned way. Shall I order you some? GoneOffShore Apr 2021 #153

which sabot? See below. Size 11 ought to work. Do they come with insoles? No need of the other! Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #157

The shoes - Or espadrilles are available as well. GoneOffShore Apr 2021 #161

Nothing is wrong with the technology...it's a User issue... HipChick Apr 2021 #158

Good luck with the move. I just cleaned out 4 generations and it was a 2 year process. Emotional is Evolve Dammit Apr 2021 #162

People living in the moment Silent3 Apr 2021 #164