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Friday 30 January 2015

Don't Tell Me What To Do, You Stupid Machine

My primary use for a computer is to play Solitaire. This provides a constant reminder that my brain power, my ability to think, to work out programs and solve problems, is vastly superior to a machine's ability to operate the program. Thus I win 97 per cent of the time. Beat that, stupid machine!

8 comments:

Bill M said...

You've got to watch out for those RFID credit and debit cards. They can be read several feet away. Chip in card is not really secure either. I say back to the old metal charge plate.

I'm anti-self check out in any store. When I encouter them I ask the attendant if I get a discount for working for the store. They generally give me a polite "I think you are crazy look." Then when they do not check out my items I let them sit, leave, and at home email the corporate headquarters. (for whatever it is worth)

Joe V said...

My local grocers finally removed the self-checkout machines because they had to post a full-time attendant besides them to constantly log in with their special password to clear errors and faults; it was more expedient to pay the employee to scan the groceries themselves.

TonysVision said...

You've found some great graphics to enliven this post. Regarding digital vs. analog, I try to keep a foot in the best parts of both worlds. While I spend a lot of time digitizing family photos and papers and making them available to the family cloudwise, I also use my typewriters and pens to pass along the old family stories via honest-to-goodness letters.

TonysVision said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jasper Lindell said...

Despite belonging to a totally different generation, I share the same sentiments. This is in total contrast to my peers who are absorbed by AI and technology and contactless credit cards and self-serve checkouts and talking to machines on telephones (though they seldom ring anyone). Google Glass excites them, but terrifies me; it's thin edge of the wedge stuff: where does it lead to? It's given me a reputation of being a very young old person. Though in my attempt to educate them, this post, Robert, will have to be standard reading. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

I think one reason why young people enjoy typewriters now is that we're not used to machines that only do one thing. Phones are not just phones anymore. TVs are not just TVs. Thus, a typewriter shows us how to do that one act of writing in a more personable way. For me, that's the fun, and that's the whole reason I use one....or twelve.

Richard P said...

I love and share your spirit of rebellion. The Revolution Will Be Typewritten!

And I must remember the phrase "custardy coward."

Don Lampert said...

Here, here! You go Robert. I too refuse to use self check outs. A friend of mine who used to keep all the computers and IT running for Coca Cola Corp in Minneapolis, says "computers are evil" - I gave him a Royal "O", and an Olympia SM-9.