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What's Some Tech That Was Better Than It Is Now? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

327 comments fedilink hide all child comments

When you connect a new device to a 'smart' tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.

Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.

I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.

What is some other tech that used to be better?

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Retrofuturism, fuck yeah. I have a major soft spot for stuff like that because of movies like Aliens and Star Wars.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 4 months ago

Not even that, I just want a fucking keyboard on my phone again, and for actual buttons in my car so I can feel when I change the song on the radio or whatever.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

It’s not just a “soft spot” thing though - the tactile confirmation of a button press is life and death if you’re driving a car.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Does your car have the rocket launcher button directly next to the volume knob or what do you mean with life and death?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

I mean looking down at a touch screen that offers no tactile feedback is dangerous. And feeling a button click that your muscle memory can intuitively find is not.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago (1 children)

In Star Trek Voyager, pilot Tom Paris creates a custom shuttlecraft called the Delta Flyer. Tom's a history geek who spends his holodeck time repairing antique muscle cars from the 20th century. So naturally, he designs the Delta Flyer with lots of analogue switches and dials instead of the usual Starfleet Okudagram touch screens. He thinks they're much better.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

He only wanted to make sure that no one else could fly his shuttle.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

Dystopian retro futures were so much better back then.