Bil Maher makes some great jokes about stuff that is newer not better... What are some things that progress has made worse, how and why?
Newer, not better.
- Thread starter SchlongConery
- Start date
Many cars now have a CVT or dual clutch automatic trans instead of a conventional automatic like has been made for decades. Most auto experts say they are not as reliable and cost more to repair. That being said, I just bought a car with a CVT.
The old dumb TVs just worked until something popped. I have a smart TV that sometimes refuses to come on. I have to unplug it and plug it back in. A while back I had to do a factory reset when it started to do weird things.
The old dumb TVs just worked until something popped. I have a smart TV that sometimes refuses to come on. I have to unplug it and plug it back in. A while back I had to do a factory reset when it started to do weird things.
Side vent windows were great.
Yes, of COURSE they increased drag, so what? Let users decide, just like they do with air conditioning, which reduces fuel economy too. There are times I don't want air conditioning on a nice day, but having windows down just doesn't work as well as those side vent windows did.
Yes, of COURSE they increased drag, so what? Let users decide, just like they do with air conditioning, which reduces fuel economy too. There are times I don't want air conditioning on a nice day, but having windows down just doesn't work as well as those side vent windows did.
Film cameras - 36 pictures on a film - required you to take care on each picture, and not just snap away endlessly. You were acutely aware of not wasting pictures.
Furnaces - they were not nearly as efficient as now, but they were more reliable, longer lasting, and way cheaper to repair.
There's a (now) well established business model for this:
"Enshittification" describes the process where online platforms degrade in quality over time, prioritizing profit over user experience. It's a three-stage pattern: initially, platforms attract users with quality services; then, they prioritize business customers (like advertisers) to monetize the user base; finally, they exploit both users and businesses to maximize profits for shareholders. This leads to a decline in the overall quality and value of the platform.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
"Enshittification" describes the process where online platforms degrade in quality over time, prioritizing profit over user experience. It's a three-stage pattern: initially, platforms attract users with quality services; then, they prioritize business customers (like advertisers) to monetize the user base; finally, they exploit both users and businesses to maximize profits for shareholders. This leads to a decline in the overall quality and value of the platform.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Stage 1: Building the User Base:
Platforms initially offer high-quality services, features, or favorable conditions to attract users. This could involve free access, great deals, or strong performance.
- Stage 2: Monetization:
As the user base grows, platforms focus on attracting businesses (advertisers, sellers, developers) to generate revenue. They may introduce features that benefit these business customers, even if it means a decline in user experience.
- Stage 3: Exploitation and Decline:
The platform maximizes profits by exploiting both users and businesses. This might involve reducing quality, raising prices, or implementing changes that benefit the platform at the expense of its users and business customers.
- Stage 2: Monetization:
I have a bad habit of 4"x5" sheet film.
Each piece of film has to be loaded in a holder in the dark, then a camera has to be lugged to site, set on a tripod 90% of the time.
I process my own film, and while it has costs, lets ignore them.
Black and White is at least $3 a sheet
Colour, whe you can find it now, about $6 a sheet.
Thankfully with this process you can control hjusyt about everything with some thought.
So when you are done you have the equal of a nice about equal to 120MP digital image.
Center spring clothes pegs for the outdoor clothes line.
Growing up there were pegs on the line when you hung out the laundry.
You kept them in a basket when not on the line, and brought the basket into the garage to stay dry in in the winter.
They would last almost forever.
I still do that same routine but seem to have to buy about 50% replacements every 2-3 years.
The spring pops out, or the peg woord snaps.
Or they just start to rot and leave marks on the clothes as they do this.
Why can no one sell good hardwood and quality spring clothes pegs any more?
The dollar store just sells good ones and and sometiems lesser priced crap ones.
And hardware store about sell the same good dollar store items for a few more dollars.
Growing up there were pegs on the line when you hung out the laundry.
You kept them in a basket when not on the line, and brought the basket into the garage to stay dry in in the winter.
They would last almost forever.
I still do that same routine but seem to have to buy about 50% replacements every 2-3 years.
The spring pops out, or the peg woord snaps.
Or they just start to rot and leave marks on the clothes as they do this.
Why can no one sell good hardwood and quality spring clothes pegs any more?
The dollar store just sells good ones and and sometiems lesser priced crap ones.
And hardware store about sell the same good dollar store items for a few more dollars.
Raising kids 'gentle' versus teaching them respect and responsibility and that they are not the center of the universe.
I was on a train ride a few weeks back, it was about an hour and a quarter, feel asleep almost right away (trains do that to me), woke up a few stops later, the train was full and there was a frail old man, I would guess maybe 84, standing, I ROCKETED to my feet and told him to sit down. He looked somewhat surprised.
Absolutely no way in hell in could live with myself lounging around in a seat while he stood. It wasn't even a decision, it was automatic.
Not even that young myself, LOL.
But there seemed to be plenty of much younger people around who hadn't been sleeping, so I guess doing that is not a thing any more.
Absolutely no way in hell in could live with myself lounging around in a seat while he stood. It wasn't even a decision, it was automatic.
Not even that young myself, LOL.
But there seemed to be plenty of much younger people around who hadn't been sleeping, so I guess doing that is not a thing any more.
I used to love getting a coke BOTTLE from a vending machine, I dunno, somehow tasted better. There was a bottle opener on the side of the machine. You could see all the bottles, and the mechanics that held it in place until it got down.
I don't mind drinking out of a bottle , but a can doesn't do it for me.
I don't mind drinking out of a bottle , but a can doesn't do it for me.
And what about ALLOWED snowball fights at school?
And playing street hockey?
I still say, something in the country died when some municipalities banned street hockey.
And playing street hockey?
I still say, something in the country died when some municipalities banned street hockey.
Coke out of a can or plastic bottle does taste different than a bottle.
A&W root beer tastes awesome out of a glass bottle.
I wouldn't mind having my ass eaten by Annie.
Is this Annie?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FjRlFonbT3M
Is this Annie?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FjRlFonbT3M
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Running shoes...they are better and really comfy now but the styles are ridiculous.
Boats and outboard motors...they were bulit like tanks in the 90s...most boat manufacturers are all about speed and maneuverability and basically tell consumers, "this is fast and light, but you better not hit some rocks or sunken logs"...
Boats and outboard motors...they were bulit like tanks in the 90s...most boat manufacturers are all about speed and maneuverability and basically tell consumers, "this is fast and light, but you better not hit some rocks or sunken logs"...
