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> Are there other fields so thoroughly invested in making the world a worse place to be a consumer? Facebook with creepier services and dark patterns (e.g onbo

> Are there other fields so thoroughly invested in making the world a worse place to be a consumer? Facebook with creepier services and dark patterns (e.g onboarding literal children despite internal data pointing to adverse mental effects) Google + ads that favor their own services Everything on killedbygoogle.com Apple's on-device file scanner Spotify forcing auto-play on connected devices as a feature Amazon charging $10 shipping for whole foods despite whole foods already making a healthy profit BMW charging for apple carplay (this changed last year to Free I believe) Mercedes and Tesla charging for vehicle DLC everything that's ever required a library of Congress dmca exception to work around Etc. ....it's life, unless you can seize political power and not be corrupted by the many machinations of corruption that have evolved in the US in the last few hundred years.

enumjorge 5y ago
When the OP said other fields, I think they meant other than technology. Drug companies can be pretty user hostile. Epipens and their price hikes comes to mind.
- eganist 5y ago
  > Epipens and their price hikes comes to mind. Good example, especially considering the law was weaponized against only a relative newcomer to that game rather than all the existing players who'd been doing it for years.
- plank 5y ago
  Another example are perhaps printer companies? "Execute the jet some ink" protocol needs the exact inkjet cartridge they sell, other products are actively shielded. The technology is completely different, the effect is quite similar. Even the countermeasures are similar: changing protocol of weblinks to regular html can be compared to replying "am correct cartridge" signal.
n8cpdx 5y ago
Maybe I should clarify that I was referring to the field of software generally, which definitely includes Facebook and the software parts of cars. Some days it feels like the whole field is premised on taking advantage of people, not trying to make the world better for them. I am values-driven, so it just really hurts to see so much bad behavior in my chosen field (software). I don’t like the irrational “tech bro” hate that’s popular these days, but I’m a little more empathetic when I realize that most consumers have probably faced technology that is actively taking advantage of them. Uncool.
- tablespoon 5y ago
  > Maybe I should clarify that I was referring to the field of software generally, which definitely includes Facebook and the software parts of cars. > Some days it feels like the whole field is premised on taking advantage of people, not trying to make the world better for them. Yeah, despite all the initial optimism, it seems one of the main consequences of connected software was to remove the technical barriers to whole classes of unscrupulous behavior that the market incentivizes.
RGamma 5y ago
I want to add headset manufacturers that include predetermined breaking points on even mid class products. Funny how these things give in shortly after the 2y warranty ends. Disclaimer: repeat victim of headphone breakage. Looking at you, Sennheiser.
- leetcrew 5y ago
  not doubting you, but what models? my 10+ year old 555s and 280pros are still going strong. want to be sure to avoid whatever you bought when I end up replacing them.
  - RGamma 5y ago
    Perhaps build quality standards changed or I'm a noob choosing the wrong devices? IIRC it was some ~70€ chat headset (perhaps dumb from me to even get those). The HD599 started getting electrical problems (asymmetric hearing). I also had a bit longer ago a Speedlink Medusa (my fault). Now have Meze 99 Neo and gonna get a pair of DT 990 and hope for the best.
    - leetcrew 5y ago
      the headset doesn't surprise me, but that's pretty disappointing to hear about the hd599s. best of luck with your future cans!

enumjorge 5y ago

When the OP said other fields, I think they meant other than technology. Drug companies can be pretty user hostile. Epipens and their price hikes comes to mind.

eganist 5y ago
> Epipens and their price hikes comes to mind. Good example, especially considering the law was weaponized against only a relative newcomer to that game rather than all the existing players who'd been doing it for years.
plank 5y ago
Another example are perhaps printer companies? "Execute the jet some ink" protocol needs the exact inkjet cartridge they sell, other products are actively shielded. The technology is completely different, the effect is quite similar. Even the countermeasures are similar: changing protocol of weblinks to regular html can be compared to replying "am correct cartridge" signal.

n8cpdx 5y ago

Maybe I should clarify that I was referring to the field of software generally, which definitely includes Facebook and the software parts of cars. Some days it feels like the whole field is premised on taking advantage of people, not trying to make the world better for them. I am values-driven, so it just really hurts to see so much bad behavior in my chosen field (software). I don’t like the irrational “tech bro” hate that’s popular these days, but I’m a little more empathetic when I realize that most consumers have probably faced technology that is actively taking advantage of them. Uncool.

tablespoon 5y ago
> Maybe I should clarify that I was referring to the field of software generally, which definitely includes Facebook and the software parts of cars. > Some days it feels like the whole field is premised on taking advantage of people, not trying to make the world better for them. Yeah, despite all the initial optimism, it seems one of the main consequences of connected software was to remove the technical barriers to whole classes of unscrupulous behavior that the market incentivizes.

RGamma 5y ago

I want to add headset manufacturers that include predetermined breaking points on even mid class products. Funny how these things give in shortly after the 2y warranty ends. Disclaimer: repeat victim of headphone breakage. Looking at you, Sennheiser.

leetcrew 5y ago
not doubting you, but what models? my 10+ year old 555s and 280pros are still going strong. want to be sure to avoid whatever you bought when I end up replacing them.
- RGamma 5y ago
  Perhaps build quality standards changed or I'm a noob choosing the wrong devices? IIRC it was some ~70€ chat headset (perhaps dumb from me to even get those). The HD599 started getting electrical problems (asymmetric hearing). I also had a bit longer ago a Speedlink Medusa (my fault). Now have Meze 99 Neo and gonna get a pair of DT 990 and hope for the best.
  - leetcrew 5y ago
    the headset doesn't surprise me, but that's pretty disappointing to hear about the hd599s. best of luck with your future cans!