"Technology"

[nslay]

Not that I'm a Luddite, but why do new TVs connect to the Internet to download updates, why do Blue Ray players boot an OS?  Why in God's earth do we need a cellphone app that can remotely control our DVR... Is this "technology"?  Are you kidding me?  This is blatant abuse of technology!  I have no problem with real technology: computers, GPS, medical treatments, hurricane models...things that do real good in the lives of people and society.  This other "technology" is doing nothing more than cluttering our lives with mediocre luxuries and abusing computers up the ass! People need to get angry about the use of our resources and our best minds!

[truste1]

It's a massive conspiracy to keep the public ignorant.

[iago]

It's all a bunch of crap -- but people like flashy toys.

I'm a bit of a luddite, though.

[nslay]

If its a conspiracy, its a conspiracy to drive the price up of basic appliances!  For instance, why does a cellphone need a camera and an OS complete with a suite of software that has no legitimate use for the majority of users!?  I believe in specialization, not the consolidation of everything!  There's a reason swiss army knives suck for more than opening a beer bottle!

[truste1]

I disagree with you. The ability to have access to several different things at your fingertips and in a small pocket-size apparatus is great. A camera on a phone is a great tool for quick picture for instance for use if you have a car accident or witness a crime. The iPhone's ability to serve many purposes from a central location is a cost-efficient model. For instance the average user could purchase a phone such as the iPhone and forego the cost of an additional MP3 player (no need to really store your entire music collection on your player), forego the cost of a camera, forego the cost of a netbook for instance. For business users there are several applications that cost less than the desktop-equivalent, for instance there is a credit card processing app for less than $50. I don't believe that every device should only serve one purpose, especially if it has the ability to serve multiple. Multitasking is a hallmark of our generation, and the future of technology will continue towards devices that promote the ability to multitask from one device.

And @Updates over the internet. What is wrong with that? Some devices need updates to solve serious bugs that prevent proper function or playback (I had that issue with an HDDVD Player). Internet updates allow for an instant fix, it cuts disc costs for the company, and eliminates the waste that comes with sending a disc for one use.

I agree that a lot of technology is not productive or maybe a good use of our talents, but I still think there is a place for entertainment innovations. Having a cell application to change your DVR remotely is no different than calling home to have somebody push "record" on the VCR. DVR's are awesome...and I don't watch TV.

[Rule]

There's a reason swiss army knives suck for more than opening a beer bottle!

I agree with your general point, but I have to take exception to this example. I had a great Apollo 11 Swiss Army knife, and I found it quite useful, because it consolidated a lot of (generally high quality) tools.

[Rule]

I disagree with you. The ability to have access to several different things at your fingertips and in a small pocket-size apparatus is great. A camera on a phone is a great tool for quick picture for instance for use if you have a car accident or witness a crime. The iPhone's ability to serve many purposes from a central location is a cost-efficient model. For instance the average user could purchase a phone such as the iPhone and forego the cost of an additional MP3 player (no need to really store your entire music collection on your player), forego the cost of a camera, forego the cost of a netbook for instance. For business users there are several applications that cost less than the desktop-equivalent, for instance there is a credit card processing app for less than $50. I don't believe that every device should only serve one purpose, especially if it has the ability to serve multiple. Multitasking is a hallmark of our generation, and the future of technology will continue towards devices that promote the ability to multitask from one device.

And @Updates over the internet. What is wrong with that? Some devices need updates to solve serious bugs that prevent proper function or playback (I had that issue with an HDDVD Player). Internet updates allow for an instant fix, it cuts disc costs for the company, and eliminates the waste that comes with sending a disc for one use.

I agree that a lot of technology is not productive or maybe a good use of our talents, but I still think there is a place for entertainment innovations. Having a cell application to change your DVR remotely is no different than calling home to have somebody push "record" on the VCR. DVR's are awesome...and I don't watch TV.

I don't think you get his point.  In buying an i-phone people aren't "foregoing" the cost of things like cameras.  They are paying for crappy versions of those things. What about those people who just want to buy a cell-phone and don't want to have to (implicitly) pay for all the other stuff?

[Armin]

These great minds will always provide what their country feels they need. Right now, their country feels the need for shallow entertainment.

[Armin]

I don't think you get his point.  In buying an i-phone people aren't "foregoing" the cost of things like cameras.  They are paying for crappy versions of those things. What about those people who just want to buy a cell-phone and don't want to have to (implicitly) pay for all the other stuff?

They can buy an ordinary cell-phone instead of an iPhone.

[nslay]

I don't think you get his point.  In buying an i-phone people aren't "foregoing" the cost of things like cameras.  They are paying for crappy versions of those things. What about those people who just want to buy a cell-phone and don't want to have to (implicitly) pay for all the other stuff?

They can buy an ordinary cell-phone instead of an iPhone.

Where?  They're all damned computers now-a-days! I used to have an old Nokia that resembled a real phone, but they don't make it anymore.  It had the most useful non-phone feature though.  A flash light!  Can't say I have ever needed or used the camera on my new phone... 

[nslay]

Just to clarify, my original point is that "technology" today seems to be mediocre, often unnecessary, improvements and additions to existing technology.  If you think what they did to cellphones is disgusting, just flip through Skymall next time you're on airplane...  I don't think these things collectively simplify life, I think they collectively complicate life and this defeats the whole purpose of technology.  Consider, for example, Google Chrome.  The interface shears off most functionality most people don't use.  It's simple and its (almost) perfect.  By contrast, I feel like other web browsers are cluttered with crap I don't use or need.

[warz]

Ok, so don't buy this stuff. You don't like it, others do. What's new?

[Camel]

...why do new TVs connect to the Internet to download updates...

I'd have to agree, I think this is pretty silly. What exactly are they updating that justifies the (admittedly low) cost of the hardware to do this? Should I be concerned that someone is going to hack my TV so the screensaver is porn?

...why do Blue Ray players boot an OS?

Your blue ray player needs an OS because it has hardware, and an OS is defined as the part of the software that communicates with the hardware.

Why in God's earth do we need a cellphone app that can remotely control our DVR...

If they supported my phone, you could bet I'd have it installed.

[Hitmen]

And @Updates over the internet. What is wrong with that? Some devices need updates to solve serious bugs that prevent proper function or playback (I had that issue with an HDDVD Player). Internet updates allow for an instant fix, it cuts disc costs for the company, and eliminates the waste that comes with sending a disc for one use.

Back in the day, they had to work these bugs out *before* the products were shipped. It's the same thing that has happened to video games now with internets being everywhere: QA has gotten shittier and they pump the games out faster since they know they can just patch later.

[rabbit]

I, for one, enjoy random stuff.  For instance, my PSP can control my PS2 (not so good for games, but great for DVD playback) and can be programmed as a universal remote, use Skype, go on the web, play games and movies, and organize my events and such.  For technical reasons, I haven't used it in almost 2 years, but the principle is the same.  And if an obscure bug makes it through QA?  It happens.  Sometimes a bug will make it through, and then a year later someone finds it and figures out that if they do something a certain way, they can hijack your phone and make it call people (which can be done with any roaming, unpaired bluetooth phone!)  Web updates are FAR cheaper than a recall.