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It's turned into an ironic site where everyone always wants to lambast the newest tech, whether it's crypto or AI or even still web technologies like React. The

It's turned into an ironic site where everyone always wants to lambast the newest tech, whether it's crypto or AI or even still web technologies like React. The irony comes from the fact that Y-Combinator funds all of these sectors and the original intent of this site was to discuss interesting new tech...

rchaud 3y ago
The common thread between all your examples is that they are not the latest technologies, just the latest variants promoted by large, monied interests, that have highly prescriptive visions for how said technology can be used.
- ESTheComposer 3y ago
  You could say that about almost any advancement in any field. I think your definition of "latest technology" is severely limited if something has to be completely brand new like a horse vs a car
Syonyk 3y ago
> ...where everyone always wants to lambast the newest tech... Yeah. Because there are a lot of people who've lived through 3 or 4 decades now of the hype cycle and want to see "less tech" in everyone's lives, having seen the result of "all the tech we can imagine" in everyone's lives. It's not been good unless you're at the upper end of the attention accumulation pyramid.
- ESTheComposer 3y ago
  > It's not been good unless you're at the upper end of the attention accumulation pyramid. Very subjective and ignores all the great strides these technologies have made. React has made it infinitely easier for everyone to build scalable websites and web apps so I don't think I agree with your upper end statement.
  - Syonyk 3y ago
    And what are most of those websites and web apps used for? To try, very hard, to keep the user on the site as long as possible, to shove as many ads as possible in front of their face. Consider the opportunity costs imposed on everyone else as a result of tech. Also, if "everyone" in your social circle can build websites with React, you need to get outside your bubble more - because I work in tech, and I don't know a single person who could build a website in React. Myself included. I'm happy with a Jekyll rendering pipeline these days. We've done some neat stuff. I won't argue. But I also think that the current state of (suitable handwave) "tech" is long past the point of diminishing returns for most people, and well into negative returns.
    - ESTheComposer 3y ago
      I mean if you don't know a single person who can build a website in React than I would say that's more indicative of your unwillingness to learn new technology. There are tons of React developers so not sure why you think I'm in a bubble. Also you have a very pessimistic view of websites and web apps, which is fine, it's your prerogative, but that's just your opinion.
      - Syonyk 3y ago
        I think it more reflects a very, very different view of what the web should be. I went out of the way to purge any actual Javascript requirements from my personal blog, because I want it usable without JS. About all you get is local search and some image shadowbox sort of scaling with it, otherwise it's not needed. I reject the notion that everything should be a responsive web application, and I make my living in the deep weeds of the kernel and below, so... it's fine. We're in different stacks, and I expect your idea of working on 90 year old cars and tractors matches my view of having to try to build a "modern" website when all I want to do is publish some stuff. It may very well be "just my opinion," but it's a more and more shared one lately. Consumer tech is human-toxic, through and through, anymore. Despite the promises it once had.
        3y ago

rchaud 3y ago

The common thread between all your examples is that they are not the latest technologies, just the latest variants promoted by large, monied interests, that have highly prescriptive visions for how said technology can be used.

ESTheComposer 3y ago
You could say that about almost any advancement in any field. I think your definition of "latest technology" is severely limited if something has to be completely brand new like a horse vs a car

Syonyk 3y ago

> ...where everyone always wants to lambast the newest tech... Yeah. Because there are a lot of people who've lived through 3 or 4 decades now of the hype cycle and want to see "less tech" in everyone's lives, having seen the result of "all the tech we can imagine" in everyone's lives. It's not been good unless you're at the upper end of the attention accumulation pyramid.

ESTheComposer 3y ago
> It's not been good unless you're at the upper end of the attention accumulation pyramid. Very subjective and ignores all the great strides these technologies have made. React has made it infinitely easier for everyone to build scalable websites and web apps so I don't think I agree with your upper end statement.
- Syonyk 3y ago
  And what are most of those websites and web apps used for? To try, very hard, to keep the user on the site as long as possible, to shove as many ads as possible in front of their face. Consider the opportunity costs imposed on everyone else as a result of tech. Also, if "everyone" in your social circle can build websites with React, you need to get outside your bubble more - because I work in tech, and I don't know a single person who could build a website in React. Myself included. I'm happy with a Jekyll rendering pipeline these days. We've done some neat stuff. I won't argue. But I also think that the current state of (suitable handwave) "tech" is long past the point of diminishing returns for most people, and well into negative returns.
  - ESTheComposer 3y ago
    I mean if you don't know a single person who can build a website in React than I would say that's more indicative of your unwillingness to learn new technology. There are tons of React developers so not sure why you think I'm in a bubble. Also you have a very pessimistic view of websites and web apps, which is fine, it's your prerogative, but that's just your opinion.
    - Syonyk 3y ago
      I think it more reflects a very, very different view of what the web should be. I went out of the way to purge any actual Javascript requirements from my personal blog, because I want it usable without JS. About all you get is local search and some image shadowbox sort of scaling with it, otherwise it's not needed. I reject the notion that everything should be a responsive web application, and I make my living in the deep weeds of the kernel and below, so... it's fine. We're in different stacks, and I expect your idea of working on 90 year old cars and tractors matches my view of having to try to build a "modern" website when all I want to do is publish some stuff. It may very well be "just my opinion," but it's a more and more shared one lately. Consumer tech is human-toxic, through and through, anymore. Despite the promises it once had.
      - 3y ago