this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2024
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Showerthoughts

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A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. The best ones are thoughts that many people can relate to and they find something funny or interesting in regular stuff.

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I've just been reading about how in the future, AI will allow us to speak with animals, and people will be able to communicate telepathically and live in their own VR worlds. (etc., etc.)

Man, this isn't a world I want to live in. I'm so tired of the constant paradigm shifting that you have to put your brain through with each innovation. I wish technology just stayed frozen in the 1980s – there would be so much less uncertainty in my life and I could just focus on being a human.

Innovation keeps being forced on you and I just feel tired. >!And I'm only just in my 20s!< Is this ok? Is this valid? When resisting it is a loser's game...

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[–] [email protected] 113 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (5 children)

I fully agree. As a 43 year old, who used to be an "early adopter" I've found that I don't fucking need it. I'm fine with retro games. I'm fine with talking on the phone instead of video conferences. I don't need "social media".

On the other hand, I really like that my car doesn't pollute. I really like that I can power my house from the sunlight that normally just hits my roof and is absorbed. I really like that I can work from home.

There are tradeoffs. For me, what works, is just not giving a fuck. But in like, a content/nice way, instead of a nihilistic/depressed way. If you know what I mean?

But being a Luddite does have its appeal. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite

[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (1 children)

I guess that makes sense. Also, what sets the solar panels aside is that they don't intrude into your modus operandi, like eg. always-on employer expectations (possible thanks to the internet) might.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

(possible thanks to the internet)

Thanks to telephones

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

Darn you, Alexander Graham Bell!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago
[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 week ago (4 children)

People getting old in this thread. Next thing you know, you'll be yelling at kids on your front lawn. 😁

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 week ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

"you kids stay away from my dirt crop!"

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

The one inside our heads 😁

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I realized I was old when I paid a couple kids to shovel my sidewalk lol

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

Wisdom with age and all that ;)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Did I become an old man that yells at clouds?

https://youtu.be/g_QCYPRu8pY?t=118

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

I’m way ahead of ya.

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

I'm fine with talking on the phone instead of video conferences.

You will be surprised how many young people prefer voice-only over video. And how many people hate voice messages.

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

I do find that the audio quality is much higher over the web than over the phone line. I wish everything were voip.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 6 days ago

50 shades of compression

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Ever read a comment and think to yourself, "You are me, and I am you."?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

We all reach that point in life. I kind of admire and also pity those who don’t.

Like, the Richard Bransons who are skydiving and water skiing with supermodels at 65 are just nuts. The Leo Laporte’s who stay on top of every little detailed change to every piece of tech are nuts. It’s cool that they have that enthusiasm, I guess. But it’s just not that important to me anymore.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

We may have some differences, while close to the same age, I am extremely outdoors and active, constantly building something tech (not bleeding edge) or non-tech, and completely fill my time or I get ansy. So in that way I'm more like the Branson's but overall my mentality towards "not caring" matches yours to a tee.

The skill of being able to identify what's important in the moment and recognizing "this won't matter in 6 months" is a learned talent I wish I could give others. I sometimes feel like it may dampen my excitement for things, being the inverse, but so far that has never really been deterrent for me..

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

What magic car do you own that doesn't pollute?

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

Chevy Bolt. It hasn’t polluted since I bought it.

Yes, I am aware that electricity production often comes from fossil fuels. Yes, I’m aware of the pollution that stems from mining and manufacturing. You’re right that a train would be more efficient. Yes, you’re right that I’m a bad person who should know better. What else ya got?

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

Why are you 3 kids in a trenchcoat mr guy , dude,man?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Because how else are we gonna score beer at the Circle-K?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Human engine != Pollution free.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Humans need to move around to be healthy regardless, so any energy consumed to pedal a bike is immaterial.

Though I guess if the person in question just died that would be even more pollution free.