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According to one popular saying, change is the only constant thing in the world. However, we humans enjoy our routines. So, whenever something threatens to disrupt the status quo, we put our guard up. With time, it might let certain novelties through, but not all.
This is especially evident in a Reddit thread started by platform user Wizzmer. Last week, they made a post on r/AskOldPeople, inviting the community's members to list the technologies they avoid as much as they can. Below, you will find their replies.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I hate the internet connected dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, etc. I do NOT need to talk to my appliances and I do not need to pay extra for it. It's just one more thing which can break.
Moltar 11 months ago
i thought they were just for the companies to spy, or 'collect user data'
Richard Graham 11 months ago
I'm 72 years old. I, too, refuse to use this technology. Silly, and just asking for frustration when it doesn't work. Also not very secure.
Featherytoad 11 months ago
You can still buy dumb appliances. I bought a very basic GE top freezer fridge about seven years ago, and it doesn't even have an ice maker or water dispenser. I also bought a very basic GE Hotpoint washer a couple of years ago.
Wooden Optics 11 months ago
The only thing my washer/dryer does via wifi is send push notifications to tell me that a cycle is finished and few minor maintenance issues. That being said, a review of my router data showed that they were uploading GBs of data to a server weekly. Blocked after that.
We got in touch with Wizzmer and the Redditor agreed to have a little chat with us.
"I was hanging clothes on the clothesline, and I realized we don't own a clothes dryer or dishwasher," the author of the post told Bored Panda about its origins.
"That's when the idea to ask this question popped into my head."
RELATED:
#2
Alexa, Siri, any "smart home" voice thing.
SlayerOutdoors:
This. I'm 41. Not that old and very tech savvy. These things have no place in the home. If you start getting ads for roofers after talking about needing a new roof with your wife? You'll see why.
Robert Trebor 11 months ago
Totally bothered me when I found out the Roomba makes a map of the house and sends it over the internet.
Devin Schmitt 11 months ago
I pity the thief that tries to use our Roomba's map. The poor thing must be developmentally behind - half the time it can't even find it's own home when it's only a few feet away! The map changes constantly, and don't get me started on the mobile exclusion zones!
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Barbara Burns 11 months ago
Yeah, well, your smart TV, laptop and cell phone listen too. And they all play poker together.
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
My daughter bought one for us. I threatened to toss it out in the field. Stays unplugged until she visits.
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Other user 11 months ago
Your phone is listening anyway. We talked about starting to play padel. And when I logged on to fb again, whala.... ads up to the yin yan.
Betsy S 11 months ago
Just to remind you, it's "Voila!" and "ads UP THE YING YANG".
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Guess Undheit 11 months ago
How ignorantly and willingly people participate in data collection. Many "period monitoring" software programs collect women's data and send it to the company - or state government.
Betsy S 11 months ago (edited)
Seriously? What is a "period monitoring" software program? Why would anyone track their period electronically? What's wrong with a small dot on the calendar? I fail to understand why anyone would want random strangers to be able to view their reproductive cycle.
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Lowrider 56 11 months ago
It happens with my phone. My wife and I will be talking about something and then we both start getting ads for what we just talked about
#3
TikTok.
I work with teenagers. Several have asked if I have a TikTok account. They promise my (future) TikToks would be popular & I could grow a following.
I roll my eyes or sneer at people who're obviously performing for their phones.
I don't want to be TikTok popular.
Daniel Atkins 11 months ago
What will they do if /when it gets banned in the US? I saw a news story where a tik tok influencer was wondering how they were going to make a living now. Hard to feel sorry for someone without a backup plan.
Papa 11 months ago
I saw something on the news this morning (I was getting ready for work, and not paying a lot of attention) about a new site where people can post videos that's being downloaded by quite a few people. Guess what? It's also owned by a Chinese company.
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Guess Undheit 11 months ago
99% of tiktok is unwatchable sith. Are they all too stupid to speak consecutive sentences without screwing up? Is that why they edit the way the do?
Roberta Surprenant 11 months ago
Hopefully the courts will uphold the ban going into effect soon.
Richard Graham 11 months ago
I'm 72 years old. I, too, refuse to use this technology. Silly, and just asking for frustration when it doesn't work. Also not very secure.
Interestingly, refusing one technology or another is probably more of a personal choice rather than a generational trend toward tech in general. For instance, a recent AARP survey found that older Americans are about as likely as those under age 50 to own a smartphone, tablet, or other device.
Nearly 9 out of 10 Americans (89% of those 50-plus and 90% of those aged 18-49) own a smartphone, according to the national poll conducted online in the fall of 2023. Among both age groups, 75% of respondents have smart TVs, and 59% own tablets.
Notably, as overall spending on tech dropped from $912 per person in 2022 to $798 in 2023, purchases by adults in their 60s and 70s rose.
#4
QR menus.
Verukins:
QR codes to order food/drinks.
Hard to find what you are after.... but impossible to explain allergies... there's no talk back and forth to clarify things in case "if there is sesame on the burger, it will kill me" isn't well enough understood.... and people without allergies never understand it.
brownishgirl:
I don’t own a cell phone. It gives me great pleasure to ask for a menu.
Adam McNally 11 months ago
Even had it where you have to provide your email address, to get a code, to enable you to order. Hate it, hate it, hate it. Hope I’ve been clear. Grrrrrrrr.
Richard Graham 11 months ago
I'm 72 years old. I, too, refuse to use this technology. Silly, and just asking for frustration when it doesn't work. Also not very secure.
Abel 11 months ago
I am 43 and I was reticent to use a mobile phone and here I am, more addicted to the phone than a junkie...
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Pferdchen 11 months ago
I have an older model phone (Galaxy S7) that does everything I need, plus some. I feel bad about how much pressure servers are under, but I kind of enjoy proving that my camera can't open their online menu. I'll eat someplace else before I have to go to a web page for a sit-down dining experience.
Sue 11 months ago
My bf & I always look at the menu at home online, whether they have a real menu in the restaurant or not. Half the fun is seeing what we want to eat (we're old) & seeing what the specials are (and reviews) so we're not under pressure at the restaurant when ordering. We get our food more quickly too since we can usually order when they first come to ask about drinks.
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Sven Horlemann 11 months ago
Yeah, we visited Luxembourg, wanted to sit down to eat, and after asking for the menu only gave a hand motion to the QR code, we looked at each other, got up, and left.
Damned_Cat 11 months ago
One of our favorite restaurants just did a QR of an image of their 4 page menu. You had to zoom in to read each line, but couldn't visually scan full pages because it was unreadable that way. My elderly friend didn't have a smart phone, so I had to teach her how to use mine. It was impossible and she ended up ordering something basic because she couldn't read the menu.
Julie S 11 months ago (edited)
I went to pizza hut and had to order with a QR code. I ordered the pizza buffet which you have to get yourself. I ordered the refillable fizzy drink which you have to get yourself and at the end it asked me how much tip I wanted to give! Fúck off are you getting a tip I've had to do everything myself.
Sue 11 months ago
Now the schools are using them for student concert programs. I guess it saves the school money, but it's freaking annoying reading the songs & student names on the tiny phone screen.
Load More Replies... #5
I have no use for keyless door locks. I’m an avid early adopter of most technology, but I don’t like the idea of a hackable door into my residence.
edit: I know that if someone wants to get into my home badly enough, they are getting in. I just want them to work for it.
SolitaryIntrovert 11 months ago
The Senior complex I live in is smart enough to know that fancy locks and seniors do not mix,so we all have "old-fashioned" keys.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
When I studied in France on my year abroad, I had an "old-fashioned key". The apartment was from the 15th century and the key for the front gate was about 20 cm long! It was hilarious when we went on a night out and we would do the "coat, wallet, gigantic key" routine.
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Debby Keir 11 months ago
However a keysafe (you enter a code to open and get the key) is essential for vulnerable people who may need ambulance/doctor, but be unable to get to the door.
Damned_Cat 11 months ago
This is why I keep the original door hardware on my vintage home. It's old and fussy and you have to know exactly how to work the latches or the doors won't open.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
The remote fob (keyless car) to my mom's car died and we were locked out of it for a while. I had to google a video of the emergency procedure to get us back in and get the damn car started. If the remote for my own car dies I simply unlock it with the key. What's the deal with all the cars that don't have actual keys anymore??
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Agat 11 months ago (edited)
I haven't felt the same about any type of locks since I followed the rabbit hole about lock picking on YT. There are several good channels that show you exactly how easy it is to open even an "unpickable" lock. Now I'm wondering which option is the most secure, and I really have no idea what to go with.
Upstaged75 11 months ago (edited)
The truth is that if someone REALLY wants to break in to your house they will - smashing a window still does the trick. (I should know. I had to do it in my own house once when I got locked out!) We are all just pretending that we're safe behind locked doors. Scary I know, but I try not to think about it too much.
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Mark McCawley 11 months ago
The people with the tech to open an electronic lock are not breaking into houses. The criminals that are breaking into houses will pass over the electronic lock and break a window. In short, an electronic lock is no safer nor secure than a manual lock. Just more convenient at times.
Wizzmer is a living example of this. "I was in software development for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control," they said. "I'm fine with all technology."
So when it comes to factors that drive people to resist certain innovations, the Redditor believes they can vary dramatically depending on who you ask. "I can't speak for all people," they said. "The appliances [I'm not using] are [simply] rare in Mexico where I 'snowbird.'"
#6
90% of my internet usage is still on a laptop. Why work with a tiny keyboard and a tiny screen when you don't have to?
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 11 months ago
Amen! So often the kids come to me with issues trying to input data on a website (car insurance quotes, for example) and the issue is related to the tiny screen they're trying to use. Or I see them squinting at a page full of text on their phone. For goodness sake, you own a laptop, go and use it!!
Kelly Scott 11 months ago
Dayum. I still use my desktop. I LOVE my desktop. It has a place to put CDs and DVDs.
Remi (He/Him) 11 months ago
I rarely use the laptop, it's desktop for being productive and the phone for surfing
CrunChewy McSandybutt 11 months ago
I agree. I can use my phone for quick easy things, but if I have to do anything detailed, I need to use my laptop.
Featherytoad 11 months ago
100% of mine is on a laptop. I don't have a smart phone, just a flip phone. It does have WiFi, but I don't know how to enable, nor do I want to. It's not enjoyable to look at such a tiny screen.
#7
AI for writing. I'll compose my own goddamn e-mails <—note the hyphen), thank you.
AnotherPint:
This. The examples I've test-generated come out smarmy and synthetic-sounding, like a book report by a glib a**-kissing teenager who hasn't actually read or understood the book.
What's depressing is how many people think the AI-produced output is just fine, because it's spelled right. But it's voiceless mulch.
Debby Keir 11 months ago
Never tried AI to write anything, but hated predictive text (particularly when talking about medical stuff re work - some of the goof ups it caused!) I make sure it's disabled on any device I use.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
Sometimes I like the predictive text in my work email since I write similar messages quite frequently. Other times I hate it because it comes up with stupid options that don't make sense. I've learned to work with it.
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Guess Undheit 11 months ago
I downloaded two AI programs, Kobold and Ollama, but they are on a computer WITHOUT an internet connection. Most AI generated text is garbage, the same repetitive phrases over and over. It's all filler, no substance.
Richard Wareham 11 months ago
I agree about the writing - if you cant compose it yourself, it isn't yours. But, it is a useful tool to get ideas and will find very obscure items and events that you might want to research. I also use it for transcribing Old English text and documents into modern English.
Hippopotamuses 11 months ago
I simply can't listen to AI generated voices on YouTube videos. They're cringeworthy. If a creator can't be bothered to narrate a video properly, I can't be bothered to watch their content.
Doctor Strange 11 months ago
AI for ANYTHING. All AI 'art' is theft. There is NO ethical AI, it is nothing more than automated plagiarism.
Kathy L 11 months ago
I don’t think AI even does things very well. The artwork usually looks creepy, fake, and messed up. The writing seems fake—it reads like a kid who plagiarized an essay. We need to use AI only for tedious things like putting stuff in alphabetical order. That’s about all it’s good for. My brain works better than AI.
Hyacinth (Any pronouns) 11 months ago
Agreed, if I'm going to write garbage, you'd better believe it's gonna be MY garbage.
Beak Hookage 11 months ago (edited)
I didn't spend over twenty years and multiple degrees getting good at this to hand the job over to a brainless machine, even if it's just a trivial facebook post. The constant automated suggestions that I do so are incredibly insulting to me.
One area where there seems to be some sort of negative generational consensus is artificial intelligence.
The aforementioned AARP survey found that 85% of Americans aged 50-plus have heard of generative AI; however, just 9% reported using it, and 60% of respondents are undecided about its impact.
#8
So many new appliances and devices have apps. Sometimes you don't have a choice but to download their app to setup whatever the thing is. My fridge has an app that gives me a report on how many times the door gets opened. I don't give a s**t and I have notifications turned off for these apps. I just want to plug a fridge in, set the temp, and have it work for a hundred years like my parents' old Frigidaire did when I was a kid (although maybe use a LITTLE less power).
Richard Graham 11 months ago
I'm 72 years old. I, too, refuse to use this technology. Silly, and just asking for frustration when it doesn't work. Also not very secure.
Abel 11 months ago
43, and I guess they try to create an unnecesary need. 🤷♂️ Are we idiots?
Load More Replies... Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Nope, nope, nopitty nope, nope. The more basic your appliances, generally the more trouble free.
Debby Keir 11 months ago
My new smartphone tells me how many minutes more, or less, I used it than last week. As I use it for about half an hour a week total, why do I need to know this?
Uncle Schmickle 11 months ago
Like Richard below, I'm 74 and wouldn't buy a product which required an app to use it. Hmm ...... come to think about it, I don't even know what an app is ?
#9
Honestly, most cloud storage solutions as primary. If I want to save something, I want it under local control.
Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I do not use the cloud. My stuff is mine. I use a thumb drive to move stuff between my desktop and my laptop.
Sue 11 months ago
And, man, it really tries to force you into using it. Then it gets full & wants you to pay more to save more.
Load More Replies... Guess Undheit 11 months ago (edited)
Forget loss of an internet connection, worry about some ash sole company closing your account (and deleting all your data) without warning, explanation, or appeal "because you violated the terms of service" without telling you what that "violation" was. This has happened repeatedly.
Richard Graham 11 months ago
The "cloud" is actually a computer somewhere. Saving to the cloud is just asking to be hacked. I save everything locally.
LukewarmSoymilk 11 months ago
Hm, yes and no. If cloud storage is your only back-up, it's going to bite you in the butt sooner or later. A while ago I read someone say, if you want something to be back upped *safely*, it has to be stored in three different spaces: a local drive, a cloud, and an external drive you keep *outside* of your home. I keep my external HDD at home, other than that this method has worked well for me.
TotallyNOTAFox 11 months ago (edited)
One reason to still use a HDD in a PC is to safe data, more reliable and restoreable in comparison to SSD technology
Tim Douglass 11 months ago
The key here is that word "primary". Your data should be stored on your local device first, under your control. Second it should be on some sort of on-site backup. Third it should be backed up off-site -- which is where the "cloud" makes excellent sense. Yes, it is just someone else's computer, but when your house burns down that automatic backup to that other computer means that your banking data and work files are still there and accessible.
Laura Slade 11 months ago
This, I have 2 USB hard drives for backup and a backup of backup. There's far less chance of being burgled than hacked
Hippopotamuses 11 months ago (edited)
I learned my lesson when Hotmail was discontinued. Now everything is on my machine, and backed up in a fire safe in my house.
Becky Samuel 11 months ago
Hotmail wasn't discontinued. I still use it every day.
Load More Replies... #10
It’s not necessarily technology, but a service made possible by technology.
I won’t DoorDash/postmates/grubhub. It’s ridiculously expensive and would make me feel very lazy and entitled.
(I acknowledge that If I were disabled at all, I’d probably feel differently.).
Carl Roberts 11 months ago
Doordash is the worst. At my local Wendy's, a "Biggie Bag" is $6 (and you can choose their "saucy nuggets" at no extra charge). On Doordash, the biggie Bag is $8.75 plus a $1.25 "upcharge" for the saucy nuggets. Plus the service fee and tip. That $6 meal ends up costing $15
Brian Droste 11 months ago (edited)
That is why I never will use any of those services. As long as I can go to restaurant and eat or I will or go pick it up myself.
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Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I ame somewhat disabled, but I won't do this, If I run out of cookable food I have emergency pb&j,
Eric Johansen 11 months ago (edited)
I miss my pizza delivery place what I really liked about them was they were so close by my pizza always came hot I absolutely wish they were still in business. Used a paper menu and coupons that came in the mail and dialed a phone number no middle man and I always tipped as generously as I could afford.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
These services started out with reasonable prices and are lifesavers for the disabled and house-bound. But once local governments started imposing more and more fees on them, they were "forced" to continue to increase fees until it's no longer affordable for anyone. And I say "forced" like that because in reality they could have absorbed the fees if the C-class was willing to take a pay cut and have a reasonable salary instead of a golden parachute.
tori Ohno 11 months ago
I use these all the time. It's all about not having an extra vehicle to get to the store, so I have the groceries/food delivered to me. Nothing lazy or entitled about it. And on a Friday night, do you really want those guys watching the game and drinking beer to get in a car and drive to Burger King? They have their place.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
Don't assume everyone who uses those services is lazy and entitled. That's a s****y attitude.
Betsy S 11 months ago
They didn't. "(I acknowledge that If I were disabled at all, I’d probably feel differently.)."
Load More Replies... Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Only food delivered to our house is pizza, AFTER the phone call..
#11
Facebook.
skyshock21:
Anything owned by Meta.
Sven Horlemann 11 months ago
After Suckerbergs "fact checking is censorship" announcement (it is not you moron), yeah. Hope he suffocates with his head up Tr*mp's a**.
90HD 11 months ago
Fact checking when biased is censorship, however he's just trying to hop on the trump bandwagon so he doesn't get tariffed
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Victoria 11 months ago
I have to use WhatsApp because my family refuses to use Signal. But otherwise yeah. No Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon or Apple for me. I live in a big city so shopping is easier. For buying products online I use eBay. I do pay for YouTube premium so I don't have to watch ads.
Suby 11 months ago
I use FB for things like staying in touch with friends or being in interest groups like birding. Sometimes I'll look up a reputable organization, like the local news station, for the weather report or something. I would never dream of engaging with any of the random content random people generate. Anything that would need a fact checker is not FB material anyway. For that, I go to the appropriate web sites.
Michael P. 11 months ago
Facebook seems to cater to a much older crowd these days, I really don't know anyone from my generation (Gen Z) who still uses Facebook. It's usually Instagram or Whatsapp or Snapchat these days. It was popular in the early 2010's as many classmates I went to school with used it but not anymore.
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Plus- keeping up with people and their lives..minus-all the freakin' whiners and "I need"ers =...NO soup for me!
cerinamroth 11 months ago
I am in the throes of consciously uncoupling from FB. I only really use it for local information/translation groups.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
I have FB but don't use it like that. I don't share much, just find information about local businesses and stay in touch with translation groups. I've even had some translation work from those groups, so it's beneficial in some ways. I do hate FB though and will have to leave at some point.
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Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
Well, it is unfortunate but Meta pretty much has a grip on VR and Supernatural is my workout of choice...
#12
A car driving itself. Stupid.
Nils Skirnir 11 months ago
Self driving vehicles coupled with a decent mass transit system would be lifesavers for many. Would really decrease the social isolation of elderly too
CrunChewy McSandybutt 11 months ago
I don't think self-driving cars can work unless all cars are self-driving. It's exceedingly difficult to predict the chaotic nature of human behavior.
Doctor Strange 11 months ago
Even then, unless they are all controlled by a single central system they won't work. And even if they are controlled with the single system and thus are all on the same page all the time, there are Still elements that can't be controlled. An animal runs into the road, suddenly self driving cars can't cope.
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Human #1,232,867 11 months ago
Says someone who do not drive everyday to commute for just going to his workplace, boring as hell. If I could just sit and do something else for 1 hour, I surely will.
Beth H 11 months ago
It’s why Microsoft started their commuter buses around Seattle. You get a free Wi-Fi enabled ride to work and can actually start the clock an hour earlier than if you had to drive yourself.
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Hobby Hopper 11 months ago
The only reason I'm on-board with self-driving cars is that eventually, when the tech has matured, it will be safer than human drivers and save a lot of lives. The rest is all icing on the cake.
Sue 11 months ago
By then, they'll be flying cars anyway. They're already behind schedule according to what they told us when I was in school.
Load More Replies... Hippopotamuses 11 months ago
The Peltzman Effect. In a nutshell: The safer you make something, the safer people will feel, and the greater the risks they will feel comfortable taking.
Suby 11 months ago
I'd rather have more efficient public transportation and keep a care I can drive myself for the times I need it.
Kathy L 11 months ago
Me too. Never mind self-driving cars; public transportation is better.
Load More Replies... Sue 11 months ago
I do like cars with the system that keeps you from getting too close to another car & LOVE the backup camera. I want cameras all around my car!
Sand Ers 11 months ago
You like the system that automates bad driving for you, so you don't have to do it yourself?
Load More Replies... #13
QR Codes.
hey_nonny_mooses:
Anyone can slap a qr code of a virus on a menu and people just download mindlessly.
KnightOOwl 11 months ago
My older sister bought a pack of 500 QR codes, for her and her kids to prank people. If you scan one you get rickrolled! They've stuck them all over Scotland on everything from buses, trains and ferries to random posters, shop windows etc. It's so wholesome watching their joy when they imagine people's reactions, they just want to make people smile!
Pernille 11 months ago
That is a use of QR codes that I can approve of. Getting Rickrolled alway makes me smile.
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Richard Graham 11 months ago
I'm 72 years old. I, too, refuse to use this technology. Silly, and just asking for frustration when it doesn't work. Also not very secure.
Deborah 11 months ago
Apparently this gentleman doesn't think anything is secure. Which is is right. Why not just say "this comment applies to everything here" and be done with it?
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Huddo's sister 11 months ago
The only time I used the was during Covid restrictions where you had to sign in to places like cafes. I didn't have a smart phone at the start, and a friend saw me signing in manually and gave me a phone so I could use the QR codes. I haven't used them since, don't even have something that can read hem now.
#14
I don't have a system that automatically puts the blinds down in the evening and somehow my life is still tolerable.
Matt Du 11 months ago
I do and I can also put the lights on when I'm out and if I need to the tv as well. Average time for a professional house thief is 4 minutes most do not care about the alarm. I would rather it look like someone is home.
Sophia Athene 11 months ago (edited)
I have my TV, some lamps, and fairy lights programmed to come on at different times through a plug in timer. Press a few buttons, plug the timer in, plug in the appliance or lights, and now it can appear like I'm home. Times vary if my house is cased.
Load More Replies... Matt Du 11 months ago (edited)
A legitimate and understandable question, the blinds are solar so can be used independent of the electric. the internet going down is a pain but light switches are still light switches even if the blubs or the switches are smart, and the same with everything else from the doors to the shower. It just makes life a little easier and give me that extra security that I have turn things off and can turn things on when I'm not home.
Load More Replies... #15
I wouldn't say I *refuse* to use ChatGPT, but I've never bothered to learn how and I don't really care.
cingalls:
I took a few classes on how to use AI. It was presented favourably, I understood it well and still consider it hot garbage.
Don Adams 11 months ago
I would rather they find a solution for natural stupidity than work on artificial intelligence. If you look at a lot of professional (work related) correspondence, and some subject/comment matter online, composition and structure are starting to fade away, to join spelling as a lost art.
Agat 11 months ago
That's a very important point. I've been observing it too (in my native language as well as English). When I read some of the emails that I get at work...
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JB 11 months ago
I fricking hate the AI on Google and Facebook. The Google one spits out rumor, hearsay, and inaccuracies as actual fact and that scares me, because as a teacher I know the next generations aren't looking beyond the first screen and are woefully lacking in critical thinking and problem solving skills!
Agat 11 months ago (edited)
Exactly, and scientifically disproven hypotheses as well! What worries me here is that they call it "AI hallucinations", making it seem as if it was a tiny mistake or something we can get rid of, when in reality it stems from how it operates. It's not hallucinating, it's doing what it's supposed to: relaying all the stuff it found on the internet. And they found a nice little name for it that sounds exotic and exciting, instead of admitting that it is flawed because it repeats baseless myths.
Load More Replies... Glasofruix 11 months ago
Yeah, i work in IT and i don't see AI as the digital messiah everyone and their mother advertises it as. All i see is idiots being better idiots because they've exported their brain into the cloud.
Rick Seiden 11 months ago
Generative AI is not where they hype it to be. It still gets stuff wrong all the time. I was at a demo where it was supposed to summarize an interaction with tech support. It got it wrong and the person doing the demo just accepted it. I pointed out it was wrong, and her reaction was, "It does hallucinate sometimes." If it does that once, the data I'm getting from it is not reliable, and is therefore useless to me, so why am I paying extra for it?
Guess Undheit 11 months ago
If it could do something useful like strip out data from a mountain of text and output in a format you ask for, and without errors, it might be useful. Instead, it's all repetitive place filler.
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
My wife has the whole Snap-Chat/video chat thing for grown kids/grandkids. None for me thanks, unless..God forbid..
Sue 11 months ago
Video chatting is my nightmare. I hate prolonged silences on the phone - I really hate them when they can see me. I prefer to post when i want & they can answer when they want.
Load More Replies... #16
Twitter.
Twitter used to be a decent place to get information and was fun sometimes. I now use Threads for the fun and Bluesky for news. Eff that X app.
Crystal Taggart 11 months ago
This isn't specific to Twitter. This is all social media where they put you into a bubble of misinformation based on whatever your political and ideological beliefs are. My husband's instagram shorts feed is filled with girls bouncing their goodies and most of these women have a body dysmorphic condition and many are probably AI-generated. His main account is subscribed to local musicians. He blocks the fake bots on a regular basis. These companies are selling you fake dopamine-addicted garbage. The question is Why?
Dragons Exist 11 months ago
Same, and with others, I had an "argument" with a 9/11 truther earlier
Load More Replies... Hippopotamuses 11 months ago
It's basically a cesspool of the worst that humanity has to offer.
TotallyNOTAFox 11 months ago
Facebook is right wing stuff, Twitter was left originally and is now home to both sides and Bluesky is the left that left Twitter - That's how I would sum it up. Plus point for Twitter would be the artists on there though (still no reason for an account there)
Tucker Cahooter 11 months ago
I don't want to use Twitter and get some clown's bogus "fact". I have BP for that
cerinamroth 11 months ago
I'm a Yorkshirewoman of a certain age and the word Threads will never not be terrifying to me. (It's a truly horrifying film about nuclear apocalypse set in Sheffield, UK.)
#17
I will not read books on my phone or a kindle or anything like that. Some of the glory of reading is the faint smell of the book, how it feels in your hands, the turning of the pages, and also just generally doing something that is not staring at a screen.
Nils Skirnir 11 months ago
I like printed books. However, as I get older and older, electronic text is much easier to read. I can easily increase text size, etc.
Auntriarch 11 months ago
Also it can be propped up easily instead of needing to be held open, which is better for my arthritic hands
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Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I use a kindle now because I need bigger letters, and hauling books with me when I travel takes up space.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
I used to feel that way until I got a Kindle. One of the best inventions ever!! I have hundreds of books in one place. If I decide I don't feel like continuing with one book I switch to another instantly. Also, as someone with arthritis in my hands it's SO much easier than turning pages.
Ece Cenker 11 months ago
I love paper books, but Kindle takes up little space in my bag, is very light and I can carry a great number of books w me. Also, e-books are a lot easier to store and find in a HD than real book that become a problem to store and take care of over time.
Justanotherpanda 11 months ago (edited)
I love printed books, the smell, the feel, the cracking of the back of a new book. Love love love. Unfortunately books are also very heavy and with my rheumatic hands a kindle is lightweight and easy to hold.
iseefractals 11 months ago
Yeah....i had a massive book collection once upon a time. Several thousand, mostly paperback but a couple hundred some hardcover and they took up an immense amount of space when there were very few things that i would ever read a second time. When i moved to Europe, couldn't really bring the collection along, donated them to the local library. Now....i have 250 gigabytes worth of Ebooks, comics (and audiobooks) stored within an 80mm M.2 drive. I can access all of them from my phone, or tablet at anytime, from anywhere....and i don't have to being complicit in the clear cutting of forests, to build up another physical collection on the logic that i miss that book smell.
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Guilty as charged, LOVE the Kindle. Finish a book, get another within 5 minutes. I DO donate to my local library though, through my custodial work hours as well as cash. Don't ALWAYS record actual time spent working.
CrunChewy McSandybutt 11 months ago (edited)
I like all forms of story media. Books for home, audiobooks for the car, Kindle for travel.
John Dilligaf 11 months ago
e-books though are a godsend for people who travel. I can either have 4 or 5 paperbacks taking up space in my carry on, or I can have them on my kindle
#18
An Apple product. Purely and simply because of what they did to the Apple II community when the Mac came out. It's my longest running grudge and I'll take it to the grave with me.
A TV. Got one in the living room that hasn't been on in over 15 years.
Lowrider 56 11 months ago
I've never understood why people want Apple phones. I have about Android and can do the same stuff as an Apple phone.
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CrunChewy McSandybutt 11 months ago
I was fine with Apple (though I didn't own any of their products) when they were still innovative. Now, they just find new ways to screw their customers out of more money.
Guess Undheit 11 months ago
I'm the same, the Apple IIe was the LAST crapple product I ever used or will ever. It's hilarious how "big blue" created the hacker's computer and the supposed hackers became the establishment. I HATE crapple for the same reason, Steve Blowjobs closing the box and turning it in an appliance. Intel/AMD machines are like old cars - if you're willing to lift the lid, get dirty and learn, you can do it yourself and not need to hire people.
Tim Douglass 11 months ago
I was involved in developing software that was intended to run on the original Macintosh. Apple was horrible to developers who weren't Apple only and they charged exorbitant prices for access to the SDK and documentation. Our company supported an Apple II version, a PC version, a CP/M version, and the cursed Mac version. We spent ten times the time, money, and frustration on that Mac version as we did on all the rest combined. Was so glad when we bailed from that market and went to doing software for the government.
Little Bit 11 months ago
I wouldn't thank you for an Apple product. They're overpriced, overrated and obsolete as soon as they're available to buy.
#19
Smart watch.
Joeuxmardigras:
I’ve never really wanted one, and don’t feel like I need it. I have a friend who bought the new $800 one from Apple and added cellular to it. I can get a nice Swiss watch for that price and it’ll last a lifetime.
Tim Gibbs 11 months ago
I have a falling down disease (Meniers) the Apple Watch is a god send for me.
Tim Gearing 11 months ago
Tim, you’re spot on with this. i have just seen a report on a light aircraft accident in Colorado at Palisades mountain where the only survivor’s iPhone called 911 and they were rescued. Sadly the 2 other occupants were fatally injured.
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PiAnisum 11 months ago
I need my smartwatch. I struggle with my time blindness and the vibration on my wrist is needed if I trail of in my task and forget what I have to do next. It was a gamechanger for my ADD mind
LukewarmSoymilk 11 months ago
I have ADD too and struggle with time blindness as well - this is such a great idea, thank you!
Load More Replies... George Costanza 11 months ago
I feel like smart watches and regular watches are apples to oranges. You don't get a smart watch to tell the time. You get it for the connectivity and everything else it offers. And these days a non-smart watch is really just a pretty bracelet. We all have devices that tell us the time around us at literally all times.
Devin Schmitt 11 months ago
I have an AppleWatch I received as a prize. Only reason I switched - it was free! ($1,100 value according to Apple!) It's nice, but not worth the money I'd have to spend.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
Got a lovely little FitBit only to discover the sensor that touches your skin had nickel in it, and I have a nickel allergy. The watch triggered an extreme case of dyshydrotic eczema on my hands and feet (tiny itchy blisters EVERYWHERE) that took nearly a year to heal.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
Oh good god, I had a case of dishydrotic eczema apparently triggered by pregnancy - it's awful! You have my sympathies. I hope you're better now. Mine lasted about 18 months, too.
Load More Replies... Michael P. 11 months ago
I'll take a mechanical watch over a smart watch anyday. I've had my mechanical watch for almost a decade and it still works perfectly. And they will never go out of style.
Little Bit 11 months ago
I have a mechanical watch and it does everything that I need it to do - tell the time.
Load More Replies... Sven Horlemann 11 months ago
As a runner, I got an Epix from Garmin, and I love it. Originally I planned only to use it for sports, but... the sleep check, the steps, the weather. Humph. I really love it.
Ken Beattie 11 months ago
Nice! I got myself an Epix Gen 2 last year (it was on a massive special) and the health data is really useful. I was going to just get a fitbit, but the Garmin has so much more information (and maps!) that it was worth the extra money. I just wish they'd enable the ECG function in Australia.
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Karen Bryan 11 months ago
My watch cost $100, I've had it for about 7 years, it runs on a solar cell, and it keeps perfect time. The so-called smart watch is a waste of money.
Uncle Schmickle 11 months ago
Absolutely agree with this. 40 - 50 year old Swiss or American - made watch suits me.
#20
I use a cell phone, but I refuse to have any banking apps on the phone. And not Venmo or any of those other money transfer apps.
Richard Graham 11 months ago
There is no private data on my phone; no banking or financial or shopping aps. I think you are just asking for trouble.
iseefractals 11 months ago
The app for my bank requires....a stupid amount of verification to enable. But once it is, it's tied to the specific device that it's installed on, requires a pin and fingerprint to open, and fingerprint to verify any changes. What can the app do? Generate single use card numbers, dictate how much money can be withdrawn from ATMs, daily spending limits, limit the number of transactions for POS charges AND online charges...and you can also just completely disable all functionality of the card until you actually have cause to use it. You can also set up automatic bill pay, and set it up to take a certain amount, or percentage out of any money entering the account for savings...or every time you buy something, round it up to the nearest dollar, and stick that difference into savings.
Load More Replies... LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago (edited)
Disagree completely. Was out and about one day and couldn't find my credit card that I had with me earlier. Was able to immediately open the app and freeze the card. Discovered it in the wrong slot in my wallet later hidden behind another card, and then opened the app and unfroze my card. If your card goes missing while you're away from home and your computer, do you have the credit card phone number and card number memorized so you can call and report it? The apps allow you much more control in an emergency. Edit for typo.
quentariel 11 months ago
I don't no about banking apps in other countries, but in Finland they are much safer than using website to access the bank. Our banking is quite effortless anyway. I have three different accounts in two different banks and I can transfer money in two seconds without any cost. No need for any separate money transfer apps either (althought most people still have mobilepay).
TotallyNOTAFox 11 months ago
Banking and shopping are desktop activities for me, phones are for reading up stuff on the fly
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Agreed, though I DO use my desktop, on rare occasions, to transfer between accounts, pay my ACA insurances, etc..
#21
Smart thermostat, doorbell, appliances, speakers. I read about a guy who couldn’t turn on his ceiling fan when AWS went down. Seriously- who needs a cloud enabled ceiling fan. I only use a streaming device on my TV - I won’t give LG access to my network. Electronic companies can brick your stuff if they want. I can always get a cheap streaming device if they want it bricked. I get my streaming device from my internet provider. They already know what I am doing.
I stopped using my fitbit when I decided I really didn’t want google to know my sleep patterns.
Sue User 11 months ago
Had a job that was giving away fitness trackers. To use it, you had to use the app from the health insurance. No thanks.
Sue 11 months ago
My car insurance offers a discount to track my driving. No way. And I don't speed or drive dangerously. Although, I think the cops can access where you drove now if you commit a crime or disappear.
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Jrog 11 months ago
Smart thermostat and valves make sense though. They allow for a lot more customization of the settings and can lead to huge savings. They don't need to work in cloud since often they can just make up their wireless network.
Patrick H 10 months ago
Yeah, but you're forgetting that the Russians and Chinese have hacked all the things so that they can spy on you. If you let them know when you've turned on your fan, they'll be able to drain your bank accounts and rename your children. /s
Load More Replies... Hippopotamuses 11 months ago
I have two Echo devices. On average, once a month they both say "The internet is unreachable" (Not at the same time). The problem isn't my wireless - everything else still works fine. This will probably be my last foray into smart tech. How can machines be inconsistent?
Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
Not sure if i agree with you on this. I have a full smart home but most of the important systems have redundant manual controls. Only a fool would create a system, ANY system, without a proper backup.
Suby 11 months ago
My thermostat is hooked up to the wifi. (It doesn't really have any other smart functions, though.) I can control the temperature with an app. It's really great if I'm out of town and have to adjust the temperature for my pet birds.
#22
Self checkout. If there are no cashiers, I'll take my business elsewhere.
MidAmericaMom:
I am not a fan 1. as I am one of those people with a full grocery cart. It can’t handle it. 2. they Always seem to be broken or need someone to clear some whatever issue 3. A grocery I used to shop, no cash allowed. The lineup for the normal line can be huge as many use cash at that store. As I do 1 - I skip that store.
PositiveAtmosphere13:
I'm not being paid to do it, and they're taking away jobs for others.
Agat 11 months ago
I'll never choose to go to one operated by a human if I have a self-checkout option.
geezeronthehill 11 months ago
I like to pack my grocery bags the way I want. No dozen eggs on the bottom with a frozen chicken on top. Love self checkout.
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Always Malfunctioning 11 months ago
The one reason as to why I like self check-out is because I can see the price of everything that I ring up. as well as when my coupons are applied. Sometimes when I go to a register where an employee rings me up, they have the screen turned. It's annoying 😑
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
I DO use it when purchasing one or two items. Even then have to make sure I don't use a 'card only' POS station. Daughter uses it for her entire 3 person (5 when we're there) family shopping.
Load More Replies... quentariel 11 months ago (edited)
I have a panic disorder and I have hard time in crowds. Sometimes when I have to shop busy times I'm totally mentally exhausted even before the cash register, so self checkout is a saving grace. Although sometimes I like to talk with the people, so I use manned register. I love stores that have both.
White Sauce Hot Sauce 11 months ago
Maybe I'm the lucky one, since I've never had an issue with self-checkout.
Sue 11 months ago
You just have to be patient with it. You can't go too fast, funny enough.
Load More Replies... Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I use the 10 or less self checkout at my supermarket because I can get in and out quickly. If I have more to buy, I go at 6 am.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
I won't use a checkout that has a cashier unless I have to. As an introvert self checkout is one of the best things that ever happened to me. :) I'm always thinking the cashier is judging my purchases.
Julie S 11 months ago
Having worked in a supermarket on a checkout nobody is judging your purchases we couldn't careless what you buy.
Load More Replies... LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
They definitely have their uses though. Especially if you only have one or two items and every cashier has long line. Like the Joann Fabrics down the road from me. It has 9 checkout lanes but never has more than 2 cashiers on them and always a line of 20 people or more checking out. Spent 40 minutes in line one day for 2 skeins of embroidery floss. I would have LOVED a self-checkout option!
Corwin 02 11 months ago
We use hand scanners , it gives me a running total of my shopping , I immediately see the discounts applied and once I am ready to pay it is one push of a button to have it transferred to the pay terminal.
Matt Du 11 months ago
Would prefer the check out because its saving jobs but I'm realistic that they will eventually all go, so between hand scanners and self check out, I'm with you it's easier and you pack and scan as I go.
Load More Replies... Rachelle 11 months ago
For those of us who have social anxiety, self checkouts are a blessing. The thing that annoys me about it is (especially Walmart) when it asks "how did we do?" at the end of the transaction. B@*ch, you didn't do squat. Hell, even if you need help there, good luck finding someone in that department who actually knows their a$$ from a hole in the ground.
Lotekguy 11 months ago
I always go to a human cashier, even when it may take longer. That's my way of helping to preserve their jobs.
Julie S 11 months ago
This is very noble but shops will put profits over staff and if they can save money by getting rid of staff they will. Having been made redundant from a supermarket I know this to be true.
Load More Replies... #23
Your f*****g app that re-invents the web browser with less functionality. No, I would NOT like to download and install it now.
Sue User 11 months ago
I just want to see you menu. Not install an app, sign up for an account and pretend am going to order takeout just to see if you have something other than burgers.
Sue 11 months ago
Even without an app, I hate the restaurants that make you pretend you're ordering so you can see the menu.
Load More Replies... Patrick H 10 months ago (edited)
Apps as replacements for websites are one of the only technologies that I dislike. For some features, like banking, apps are certainly more secure, so I use those. For shopping, though, I HATE apps for one simple reason: lack of tabs. When I'm shopping online, I can have several tabs open for comparing several products without having to go back and forth clicking through listings. So no, Amazon, I won't use your app for shopping. You're website has all the same features, plus it can be tabbed, and it doesn't take up space on my device.
#24
Cash apps linked to my bank accounts.
Betsy S 11 months ago
In Canada we don't have cash apps. We use debit cards that take the money right out of our bank account (not using credit) and we have E-Transfer where you send money directly from your bank account to someone else's, but you do that on your bank account site. I'm not aware of doing that with a phone.
Miracle Max 11 months ago
There at least half a dozen cash applications in Canada.
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Robert Millar 8 months ago
This is a serious subject. Most banking apps are useful, I assume, but Apple pay, Google pay, This/that/the other pay are just inserting themselves into the retail chain to earn a few cents per transaction, which means potentially billions of dollars PER DAY. We pay more or the retailer gets less. All of these services that push into the supply chain make everything cost more. We need regulation to protect the people who rely on such services so they don't pay too much.
SolitaryIntrovert 11 months ago
I will never use the auto-pay feature most of these companies offer.
Richard Graham 11 months ago
I'm 72 years old. I, too, refuse to use this technology. Silly, and just asking for frustration when it doesn't work. Also not very secure.
Upstaged75 11 months ago
LOL. You clearly have no idea about web security. I'm not saying you should download some random app and put all your banking info in it. But I've been using PayPal for 20 years now without a single issue. Plus all of my bills are auto pay through my bank.
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#25
Ring doorbells and similar.
I don't want any personal data in the cloud, unless its encrypted with a key *I* control.
Matt Du 11 months ago
I had Ring and Blink but it was less the cloud and more the subscription that put me off. Swapped everything to Reolink with NAS storage
Ken Beattie 11 months ago
I don't want stuff on the cloud, or the subscription. So I did something similar. Found a cheap video doorbell that could hook to my wifi and save to an SD card or my NAS. Much better solution that doesn't fail if the companies server happens to be down or they decide they no longer want to provide the service, or they start charging $100 a month.
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#26
Robot vacuums that can livestream while I’m on the toilet.
Richard Graham 11 months ago
One technology that is proving unpopular is a toilet that livestreams.
Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
what exactly the vacs livestream? and why are you on the toilet all the time? hahahahah
Betsy S 11 months ago
I've heard that they create a map of your home and then for some reason they stream that information back to...somewhere. I won't have one because of all the dog poop smear videos I've seen, but if I thought it were sending out private information that would be another reason NOT to get one.
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#27
Pod coffee makers. They're my probably-irrational rant topic.
Don't own dishwasher or microwave. or air fryer. sous vide cookery sounds ridiculous to me.
bentnotbroken96:
Pod coffee maker: an expensive way to make sh**ty coffee.
MarTD 11 months ago
I have one but use a refillable pod the times I do use it.
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Sue User 11 months ago
Depends on how you do it. Those studies considered " handwashing" as " turn on tap and wash then rinse your dishes". No pan of soapy water. Of course handwashing uses more water that way.
Load More Replies... Sue 11 months ago
Microwave - great for leftovers. Dishwasher - great for me. Pod coffee - no way. I want to decide on the amount of coffee I use.
BrownEyedPanda 11 months ago (edited)
May I play devil's advocate for a moment? I, too, once thought of Keurig machines as a serious waste of money. After all, who wants to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a coffee maker that only produces one cup of coffee at a time? One day, when visiting my sister, she told me to get myself a cup of coffee. It was the first time I ever used a Keurig. Pop in a pod, adjust the amount of water, and push the button. Pop out pod, dispose. Neat and tidy. Then I went home and looked at my coffee maker, a four-cup automatic drip. I usually made a full pot, only to drink 1 1/2 cups and discard the rest. And boy, was it messy to deal with. I have had a Keurig since 2016, and couldn't be happier. It's also good for tea, hot chocolate, and water for dissolving espresso powder for my lattés and mochas, as well as proofing liquids, eliminating the need for a teakettle. A multipurpose appliance I cannot do without.
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Kids got us a Mr Coffee w/ thermal carafe. LOVE it. WAY less (I checked) than a $100 Keurig with their stupidly overpriced pods. Meijer 12 oz ground Colombian coffee, $6
Glenn Cuneo 11 months ago
You clearly have never had a "Nespresso"--- they give you a free pre paid bag and you mail the pods back so they can be recycled. K cups? Now that's s****y coffee.
Ken Beattie 11 months ago
Microwave isn't a bad device, neither is an air-fryer and modern dishwashers are supposed to use less water than washing dishes by hand in a sink. I don't see anything wrong with any of those three devices. I personally wouldn't buy a standalone air-fryer but I already have a convection oven so it's essentially a big air-fryer anyway and I don't need a standalone one. Pod coffee makers are really wasteful and bad for the environment though so wouldn't touch them.
#28
Amazon.
Apprehensive_Run_539:
It’s ruining our economy one item of junk at a time.
Rachelle 11 months ago
As someone who lives remotely in the mountains, Amazon is a lifesaver. But I do agree that finding good/non-fake items there is challenging now.
Ken Beattie 11 months ago
I use amazon myself (who doesn't these days?) and fake/cheap items are probably the worst thing about it. When seventeen different brands all use literally the same photos to sell their products how can you tell which is the legit one and which are the cheap knockoffs? They do have two other major problems though. 1. Bait and switch deals where the picture is actually different to the description. IT related items are awful for this. Picture shows a 32" 4k monitor, description is actually a 27" 1080p monitor. 2. Fakes specials/deals where something is 70% off, yet a week ago it was the same price. At least CamelCamelCamel makes it harder for them to pull this scam off. Since you can see the long term price history.
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Booster Booey 11 months ago
I'm disabled, so getting to the store is difficult. I buy an OTC medicine from Amazon and that's it. My groceries are delivered by another service.
Featherytoad 11 months ago
True, but it's the only place I can find the size of furnace filters I need. I looked on Lowes, Home depot, Ace, Walmart, etc., and no one has them. They are an odd size.
Lee Gilliland 11 months ago
I hate Amazon, but you must admit it saved our bacon during Covid.
Victoria 11 months ago
It used to be good but there's no customer service anymore and there's so much fake stuff there now.
Charles McChristy 11 months ago
LMAO there never has been great customer service. It's always sucked.
Load More Replies... BrownEyedPanda 11 months ago
Temu.com is the one to definitely avoid at all costs. Sure, the items they sell are at a ridiculous discount, as compared to Amazon and others. But considering that slave labor is involved and a lot of the items are of poor quality, you're better off with Amazon or even walmart.com.
Phillip Moderow 11 months ago
Amazon is not junk. They have enriched my life in countless ways. My return rate for all the things I buy is negligible. It was a fight at first, but Amazon won me over years ago.
Kathy L 11 months ago
I have mixed feelings about Amazon. I developed an Amazon habit during the pandemic. But I know Jeff Bezos is evil. But I’ve noticed it’s gotten harder to find things I really like in brick and mortar stores. But I either have to pay for shipping, or buy more than I really need to get free shipping. Back and forth, back and forth.
#29
I try to use and embrace as much technology as I can, but I refuse to use a kiosk to order fast food. No thank you, I will do without.
Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I use these, as often there is no one at the register for endless moments,
quentariel 11 months ago
Where are you from? I've worked in cafés and resraurants for years and we are not allowed to leave the register unattended longer than few moments. Like you can do things around and in the back, but you have to always keep tabs on the register and be ready to greet the customer. Mostly you just greet the customer and ask them to wait a small moment while you stop whatever you are doing to get there.
Load More Replies... Rachelle 11 months ago
Has anyone ever seen an employee at McD's clean a kiosk/touch screen? No? Yeah, I'm good on touching that filthy, germ laden monstrosity. I'll wait the two minutes to talk to an actual cashier, thanks.
Nathan Lewis 11 months ago
but you touch the door to go in, if you're paying with cash thats been touched by countless people, the cashier is touching their own dirty screen then handing you your food, the tray or bag your food comes on/in has been touched by multiple people.
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Roberta Surprenant 11 months ago
Have been at a McD's where the supervisor sent a clerk around the counter to point out the kiosk to me, told them I didn't want to use it and left.
Ece Cenker 11 months ago
When I am hungry, I am dumb and impatient. Not a time to try to figure out how to use an app on a giantic smart phone!
Glenn Cuneo 11 months ago
Had a McD employee point to the kiosk when I walked up to them, ,as they stood at the register, and asked "I just want a small coffee"-- "Sir you can order that at the kiosk" yeah , I'm not going to do that. you can press two buttons on your screen and show me the total, I'd like a small coffee"
Uncle Schmickle 11 months ago
Me too. Once again, it's a ploy by the employers to get rid of staff. I absolutely won't do it. It's beyond belief when you see so many customers at these kiosks, while the employees behind the counter don't have anything to do. Crazy !
William Teach 11 months ago
It's so much faster. And I can make sure no mustard and onions. I love it
#30
I am often mocked for not using a dishwasher, but honestly I don't use a lot of dishes and can easily just wash them myself in 30 seconds as opposed to running a dishwasher for 20 minutes. Never had one growing up. Never needed one.
Featherytoad 11 months ago
When I had one in my pervious home, I always ran out of dishes before I had a full load, or I had to wash something that was sitting in the dishwasher because it was the only one I had. It's only me now, and it's not a big deal to wash the few dishes I have.
Donna Peluda 11 months ago
Dish washer uses a lot less water the washing by hand. I live alone and just keep putting things in till it's full then wash. Much more effective.
iseefractals 11 months ago
Faucets use about 2 gallons of water per minute, where a dishwasher has a total consumption of 1-1.5 gallons. It's not about the run time, it's about the water consumption.
BrownEyedPanda 11 months ago
Let me guess: older model, but still functions well, with minimum maintenance? In other words, like me.
Load More Replies... Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Never had one, not getting one. The plastic bowl we use for soap water works fine, thanks.
quentariel 11 months ago
My childhood home never had a dishwasher and we didn't miss it then. But oh boy I love my current apartment that has one. Also, as I live alone, I only have to use it like twice or thrice a month.
Deborah 11 months ago
You just let dishes sit there and get dirtier and dirtier?
Load More Replies... Booster Booey 11 months ago
It's just me, and I don't have available space for a dishwasher anyway. But even if I did, I don't think I'd have one because, like I said, it's only me.
#31
VR headsets. Give me motion sickness.
Agat 11 months ago
I struggled with it in some games too, but others are just so damn awesome!
Matt Du 11 months ago
Found it the same as you, and it's got a lot better with the newer models
Load More Replies... Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
Not a necessity but only a luxury in your life. If you have MS because of that, i presume you are not flying or going on cruises either
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
Same. So do a lot of video games with first-person perspective. Kind of a bummer because I enjoy gaming on my days off and the motion sickness gets worse as I get older.
#32
Snapchat.
Lydia Koncsics 11 months ago
I mean.. It's 100% marketed and used by young people so this isn't very shocking
#33
Leafblowers. Curse them. Broom Power!
Papa 11 months ago
I'm old, and I have one. It's great for blowing the grass off my lawn mower. Try doing that with a broom.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
That's fine as long as you're not running it at 7am, blowing absolutely nothing in the rain.
Load More Replies... Betsy S 11 months ago
Leaves should remain in place. Sure take them off your walkways, but other than that, leave them alone (no pun intended). They provide overwintering shelter for much of the biodiversity you want in your yard/garden. Rake what you absolutely must and let the rest just stay where they are, as nature intended.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
You only need to rake the paths. Everything else should be left as nature intended.
Load More Replies... cerinamroth 11 months ago
Amen, curse them indeed. Trees spend two seasons growing their leaves and giving us the air we breathe. They shed their leaves expecting a nice little treat as they rot down and then some k**b with a noisy, stinky leaf blower comes and gets rid of them! Rake them under the tree and leave them there!
René Sauer 11 months ago
I often see people from the municipal cleaning company walk around blowing leaves and other light garbage into the street with a leafblower so the street sweeper can get it.
Abdullah Abd Rahman 11 months ago
They're loud but they make clearing leaves a lot easier and faster.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
Convenience is at the root of so many modern ills!
Load More Replies... #34
Home Pod. Ring Doorbell. Any Security company.
Get past the dog, I'll hear it. Coming up the steps, a 4 D Cell Mag Light to the head.
Then i'll call 911.
Charles McChristy 11 months ago
I'm fairly certain this guy poses in front of the bathroom mirror in nothing but a towel with his little flashlight.
Auntriarch 11 months ago (edited)
I have one by my bed. If someone comes up my stairs at night, they have two choices. It is perfectly acceptable to have a torch handy at night time in case of power cuts. And I'm in a very quiet town in UK.
Load More Replies... Kathy L 11 months ago
Keep a baseball bat handy. Or a can of hairspray. Hairspray in the eyes HURTS. It would stop a burglar, I’m sure.
Sophia Athene 11 months ago
Yep! I have two metal ball bats, one hockey stick, one walking staff at strategic locations (eg, front and back doors). Beside my bed, I have a can of pepper spray--I don't care if it's illegal as long as it saves my life or keeps me from getting raped.
Load More Replies...
J. Grawn 11 months ago
I can just imagine that mag light splitting someone's skull. Should be classified as a deadly weapon for sure!
Sue User 11 months ago
It is hard to band together and fight when you are afraid if one another.
Load More Replies... #35
I refuse to get a smart watch, or blue tooth headphones, and only use my clothes dryer in the coldest months.
I wish I didn’t have any of it but life, work, kids. Have a love/hate with the kindle. My eyesight makes it unpleasant to read an actual book, but I miss them.
Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
i don't even know what to say here... if you have a house, having a clothes line is fine as long as no one is seeing the state of your underwear and your bedding. If you are in the apartment, then most likely i wouldn't want to walk into your bathroom (while being a guest) to see all of hanging in there LOL
Judes 11 months ago
What is wrong with people seeing your bedding? Now I'm imagining all kinds of kinky stuff.
Load More Replies... Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I have the books all around me, but since at age 69 I got new eyes (cataracts) I'd rather not wear readers, Do use them for my NY Times hard crosswords.
BrownEyedPanda 11 months ago
Bluetooth headphones became a necessity for me when I kept missing prompts from my Paratransit agency regarding the driver arriving at my location. Now, I can't do without it. Add to that a music streaming service, and the day seems much more tolerable.
cerinamroth 11 months ago
Using a dryer when there is a plentiful and free source of energy that doesn't destroy the planet is borderline pathological.
Load More Replies... #36
Rice cookers, bread makers, Alexa, Ring cameras. The first two just take up counter space and the last two suck up more information about you than giving you information about the outside world.
PandaGoPanda 11 months ago
I live in Japan and the first two are my go-tos (although only the rice cooker gets kitchen counter space- room is too small so the bread maker lives in the dining room-cum-office next to the computer printer). EVERYBODY has a rice cooker, in a culture that eats rice up to three times a day, and I will never go back to cooking it in a saucepan. Bread maker because Japanese bread is soft, pappy, white and tasteless so as someone who grew up with decent bread I need a bread fix sometimes.
WindySwede 11 months ago
when I cook rice, its a precise recipe with exact timing for it to be good. But get good. But a lot of manual tweaks during the cooking. 😓 But every ricecooker I looked at has teflon, I try to stay away from that. 😕
Load More Replies... Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
i can understand the last two, but what is wrong with rice cookers or bread makers???
BrownEyedPanda 11 months ago
The only reasons I gave away my rice cooker are that I have been buying Minute Rice (no judgements please), and a tenant in my apartment building needed one. Even though I bake bread by hand, I will never look down on anyone who uses a bread machine. Bread baking takes a long time, and most people simply don't have the time to do it from scratch.
Jrog 11 months ago
I am against rice cookers, because a veggie steamer can cook rice just as well as do many other things, and at that point I am ok with taking up counter space for something that is effectively useful. Bread makers, only if you make bread daily but in my experience the bread is not very good.
Ace 11 months ago
An ordinary saucepan on the hob is all you need to cook rice - never understood the point of those things. Bread from the bread machine can be really good, just find the recipe that works best for you. It doesn't have the shelf-life of shop-bought stuff, but keeps fresh enough for a couple of days.
Load More Replies... #37
I don't use GPS/navigation, because I've noticed it causes people to lose their sense of direction. People don't even know street names, so I was trying to help someone with directions, and they didn't even know the names/numbers of the major interstates and highways.
Jrog 11 months ago
This is just stupid. Multiple peer reviewed studies -some of them by the NIH- demonstrated that GPS navigation greatly improves driver's safety, reduce workload wile driving, improve driver's alertness, reduce stress and reduce wasted mileage. Analysis of database of insurance claims in the Netherlands demonstrates that people driving without Satnav are more cause damages and on average cause more damage costs per km. Connected GPS systems are also very useful in danger avoidance and advance alerts, as well as beacons for calling help. If anything, GPS should be mandatory.
Ripley 11 months ago
And having a paper map/street directory sitting in your lap while you're driving was soooo much safer than a GPS /s. And lots of people didn't know street names before GPS was commonplace. I was always a landmark kind of driver.
Load More Replies... Papa 11 months ago
OP said "I've noticed it causes people to lose their sense of direction." That's not an issue for me. You can't lose what you never had in the first place.
Robert Trebor 11 months ago
I use it to see where the bad traffic is. Also, on my road trips I stay off freeways and tollways. Maps finds me good routes.
Donna Peluda 11 months ago
I would like to ask the author of the post how often he drives outside of the routes he knows. It's great if you have to drive in places you are not familiar with and know how to drive and don't take it's directions as orders.
Don Adams 11 months ago
I use it as a convenience on local roads if traveling. However, being a retired truck driver/transportation manager, I am very capable of using a map, and do know the highway system. I think everyone should travel with a road atlas, and learn how to use it.
Shea Fujishima 11 months ago
Dude, if I'm in a strange town, I don't know the street names anyway! GPS gets me around safely and will reroute so I'm not stuck in traffic.
Featherytoad 11 months ago
I never even knew street names before GPS. I always navigated by landmarks.
Charles McChristy 11 months ago
We don't need to know the names and numbers because we have GPS lmao
#38
We don't have a microwave. We don't eat much processed food and I can melt butter in a sauce pan.
oktopus 11 months ago
Can do much more with a microwave than warm up processed food. We mainly use ours for reheating leftovers from the preceding cooked meal, though.
Geoffrey Scott 11 months ago
Ours: Cooking frozen veggies, or defrosting when we inevitably forget to take meat out of the freezer for our meal.
Load More Replies...
Feathered Dinosaur 11 months ago (edited)
The microwave is mom's little magic helper to warm up cold coffee that will inevitably go cold again as little screeching baby dinos vie for your attention
Sue User 11 months ago
Get a coffe warmer. Always ready to go when you are.
Load More Replies... Ace 11 months ago
I couldn't survive without a microwave. Mostly I do proper cooking from scratch, but life's too short to be boiling up pans of water to cook veggies that take just a minute or two in the microwave.
Ripley 11 months ago
Yea, I don't know that "I don't own a microwave" is the flex that this person thinks it is. Also, microwaves have been a common household item since the 1980s - hardly "new" technology.
Load More Replies... LukewarmSoymilk 11 months ago
Yeah, unless OP is raw vegan or something, they're bound to eat processed food. They probably mean ultra-processed food, but you don't necessarily need a microwave for that...
Load More Replies... 
Blue Bunny of Happiness 11 months ago
I have two microwaves, I use them to heat up the snugglesafe heat pads for the rabbits. Bought the second one purely to save time in the winter mornings when I need to heat 8 before work at 6 minutes each. Yes, my rabbits are spoilt.
BrownEyedPanda 11 months ago
Not only is the microwave valuable for reheating leftovers (use 40% power and cover your food for best results), but you can actually safely cook boneless meats with it. Just use cook at 70% power, cover, and turn over halfway through. It beats heating up an oven or creating a stove top mess for a one-person meal.
LonelyLittleLeafSheep 11 months ago
Our microwave is basically just our timer now. I hate it so much. It's mounted to high for short people, the damn display is in BLUE (which is so hard to read; manufacturers take note - always use RED), and it uses so much power.
Eric Johansen 11 months ago
I do like the feature on my new one the digital readout is white my old one was just a regular black digital readout with a non lighting regular background.
Load More Replies... What do you think ?
Matt Du 11 months ago
All of this would sound a lot more convincing if they weren't posting to a *social media site* from their *phones*
Judes 11 months ago
Why are you assuming they are on phones? I'm not currenly on a phone.
Load More Replies... Lotekguy 11 months ago
I never understood why anyone would want a toaster or refrigerator that's smarter than they are.
Ken Beattie 11 months ago
Sounds like that's a perfect reason lol If they're not smart enough to figure out toast or when they need to buy milk maybe they NEED all the help they can get.
Load More Replies...
Cee Cee 11 months ago
My energy company in the UK has finally given up trying to persuade me to have a smart meter. Far too many stories of these things going rogue and firing off massive meter readings and bills into the thousands. I already know how to reduce usage and have no problem sending monthly meter readings. Have also resisted the lure of social media etc.
Boo 11 months ago (edited)
5 years ago we had an engineer out to install one and they had a look at our set up and said they can't touch it as the box has asbestos in it, said they'd send someone out to deal with it and heard nothing. A year ago Ovo contacted us again to install a smart meter and we explained about the asbestos, they said that the engineer could deal with it, so we set up an appointment. Day came and the engineer said she couldn't touch it and that Scottish Gas would have to get rid of it, said they'd make a report and we'd hear back shortly. Have heard nothing, but yet we still get calls and letters about installing a meter. I just want this to stop!
Load More Replies... Bill Evs 11 months ago
Some of these are a bit odd. I can understand the aversion to appliances with unnecessary smart features etc but what's wrong with a rice cooker, bread maker or microwave? As tech goes they're pretty harmless. Even tumble dryers have their place. Line drying will always be my preferred method but I live in a country where it seems to be raining 95% of the year and I live in a old house that already suffers badly with condensation build up. For my family of four (which includes a teenager) being able to wash and dry clothes quickly has become a necessity.
Bob Jones 11 months ago (edited)
The only people I have met who say dishwashers are unnecessary are people who have never had one. Th e best part is that you don't have dirty dishes lyring around all the time. you use something, then put it straight in the washer and it is hidden from view. When it is full you turn it on. Simple
Little Bit 11 months ago
You don't have dirty dishes lying around all the time when you wash them by hand. I certainly don't anyway. You wash them, dry them and put them away hidden from view. Simple. A dishwasher doesn't wipe the worktops down either.
Load More Replies... Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
So, some of these comments make zero sense considering that microwaves, washers and dryers were staples of American households sine the 50s/60s. However, many older boomers have a panic while using technology despite the fact that they actually saw this technology being developed when they were much younger. Internet showed up in the 90s over 30 years ago, so saying that they are not using it only means that they NEVER have beyond of what was required from them, mostly at work. TBH, not all of the new tech is great, but their reasonings are hilarious, to say it lightly. What i see is one generation that can't grasp what technology is and another generation (3 times removed) that will have no clue of how to survive if all this tech is gone.
BBBBBB MMMMMM 11 months ago
It is a window into people in society that you dont want in your inner circle isnt it.
Load More Replies... Matt Du 11 months ago
All of this would sound a lot more convincing if they weren't posting to a *social media site* from their *phones*
Judes 11 months ago
Why are you assuming they are on phones? I'm not currenly on a phone.
Load More Replies... Lotekguy 11 months ago
I never understood why anyone would want a toaster or refrigerator that's smarter than they are.
Ken Beattie 11 months ago
Sounds like that's a perfect reason lol If they're not smart enough to figure out toast or when they need to buy milk maybe they NEED all the help they can get.
Load More Replies... Cee Cee 11 months ago
My energy company in the UK has finally given up trying to persuade me to have a smart meter. Far too many stories of these things going rogue and firing off massive meter readings and bills into the thousands. I already know how to reduce usage and have no problem sending monthly meter readings. Have also resisted the lure of social media etc.
Boo 11 months ago (edited)
5 years ago we had an engineer out to install one and they had a look at our set up and said they can't touch it as the box has asbestos in it, said they'd send someone out to deal with it and heard nothing. A year ago Ovo contacted us again to install a smart meter and we explained about the asbestos, they said that the engineer could deal with it, so we set up an appointment. Day came and the engineer said she couldn't touch it and that Scottish Gas would have to get rid of it, said they'd make a report and we'd hear back shortly. Have heard nothing, but yet we still get calls and letters about installing a meter. I just want this to stop!
Load More Replies... Bill Evs 11 months ago
Some of these are a bit odd. I can understand the aversion to appliances with unnecessary smart features etc but what's wrong with a rice cooker, bread maker or microwave? As tech goes they're pretty harmless. Even tumble dryers have their place. Line drying will always be my preferred method but I live in a country where it seems to be raining 95% of the year and I live in a old house that already suffers badly with condensation build up. For my family of four (which includes a teenager) being able to wash and dry clothes quickly has become a necessity.
Bob Jones 11 months ago (edited)
The only people I have met who say dishwashers are unnecessary are people who have never had one. Th e best part is that you don't have dirty dishes lyring around all the time. you use something, then put it straight in the washer and it is hidden from view. When it is full you turn it on. Simple
Little Bit 11 months ago
You don't have dirty dishes lying around all the time when you wash them by hand. I certainly don't anyway. You wash them, dry them and put them away hidden from view. Simple. A dishwasher doesn't wipe the worktops down either.
Load More Replies... Arcady Royzen 11 months ago
So, some of these comments make zero sense considering that microwaves, washers and dryers were staples of American households sine the 50s/60s. However, many older boomers have a panic while using technology despite the fact that they actually saw this technology being developed when they were much younger. Internet showed up in the 90s over 30 years ago, so saying that they are not using it only means that they NEVER have beyond of what was required from them, mostly at work. TBH, not all of the new tech is great, but their reasonings are hilarious, to say it lightly. What i see is one generation that can't grasp what technology is and another generation (3 times removed) that will have no clue of how to survive if all this tech is gone.
BBBBBB MMMMMM 11 months ago
It is a window into people in society that you dont want in your inner circle isnt it.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 AI Art Fails That Are Both Horrifying And Hilarious 45 Old Gadgets That Were The Trendsetters Of Their Time
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