3 ms·

I think a lot of this is down to too much choice. There are many papers on this in psychology, but for example, from [1]: "Findings from 3 experimental studies

I think a lot of this is down to too much choice. There are many papers on this in psychology, but for example, from [1]: "Findings from 3 experimental studies starkly challenge this implicit assumption that having more choices is necessarily more intrinsically motivating than having fewer. These experiments, which were conducted in both field and laboratory settings, show that people are more likely to purchase gourmet jams or chocolates or to undertake optional class essay assignments when offered a limited array of 6 choices rather than a more extensive array of 24 or 30 choices." More computing power and tools gives us too much choice in how to use the tools: we've got dozens of software packags to choose from for every tasks, dozens of setups, etc. The users (workers) have to constantly choose how to use their tools and which apps to open for the day, etc. It's the same reason why people love minimalist writing apps. Their computer just presents too many options. Some people have even gone back to typewriters or writing by hand. Computers aren't really giving us too many benefits. If you closely examine the situations in which computers are purported to improve something, the only thing they ACTUALLY improve in a lot of cases is the advancement of new technology. If you're a programmer or a software company, then new IT is good. But for people just using it as a tool? It sucks. [1] https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2000-16701-012 https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2000-16701-012

nine_k 3y ago
I can't agree. While computers of course have a ton of shortcomings and difficulties, they allowed easy access to and sharing of information. Collaboration has become much, much easier. To say nothing of plain communication, by text, voice, of video calls. If you think computes suck, try going 50 years back and do a long-distance call (and then pay the bill). The same thing immensely powered commerce, both online stores, and plain brick-and-mortar stores where you pay by your card. I suspect that productivity gains in the commerce / retail sales area should be very noticeable. The general meager observed productivity gains may be a result of the way they are observed (much like Amazon is a company with near-zero profits, such a terrible malinvestment!) and how they are distributed. The latter may mean not just siphoning monetary gains, but also changing patterns of control within corporations.
- vouaobrasil 3y ago
  I wonder if anything you said was actually a good thing. It seems more like a list of horrible things in disguise: * Easy access to information: perhaps that makes us ignore the most important information right in front of our faces? * Easy communication: perhaps that has made destroying communities easier (just move away, I can still call you!) * Online stores:... too much consumerism!
skydhash 3y ago
A toolset is always a personal thing. You’ve adapted things to your need and worklfow, and with that can go with your day without worying about what to use. I believe computing should be customized to the individual or the company. Generic solutions will always feel generic and the current trend of either minimal customization or overcomplication is not helping. I think that’s why some people are pinning for old OS as they fullfilled their role of disapearing in the background and let you do your thing. Now you spend more time interacting with the OS than the applications. Computers can do great, but I think it required some thinking about what you want to accomplish and how a computer can help. Then tailor your computer usage to that. For writing, you may want something like nano/notepad or the full word processor experience. But don’t use one when what you need is the other. Choosing may be difficult, but a period of reflection will help tremendously.
vundercind 3y ago
> Computers aren't really giving us too many benefits. I suspect if we were any good at accounting for this stuff, we’d find that 95% of applications of computers have a 0.1x-1.1x multiplier on whatever we’re applying them to, once you factor in the extra costs, but the other 5% is like 5x-500x. Beneficial overall and yet harmful a majority of the time one encounters it.
- vouaobrasil 3y ago
  Indeed, that highlights a very interesting paradox. Computers are immensely useful in certain sorts of tasks, but in others they are rather obstructive even though the integration of them in our lives makes them necessary when they ought not to be.
lazide 3y ago
Have you tried sorting a list of names by hand? Once it reaches a certain size, it’s nearly impossible. Also, ballistics. Modeling/simulation. Data storage and retrieval (think DMV, social security, IRS, banking). CNC machining and general manufacturing/design. If you think computers have not dramatically improved nearly every major field of endeavor you interact with, it’s because you were born after they’d already made many major improvements. Or at just ignorant. For instance, it’s still entirely possible to do manual machining and drafting, but there are very very few situations where it makes sense. Hobbiest and one off jobs, mostly. Are there areas where they aren’t really helping? Sure. But they are outnumbered by dozens of ways they are.

nine_k 3y ago

I can't agree. While computers of course have a ton of shortcomings and difficulties, they allowed easy access to and sharing of information. Collaboration has become much, much easier. To say nothing of plain communication, by text, voice, of video calls. If you think computes suck, try going 50 years back and do a long-distance call (and then pay the bill). The same thing immensely powered commerce, both online stores, and plain brick-and-mortar stores where you pay by your card. I suspect that productivity gains in the commerce / retail sales area should be very noticeable. The general meager observed productivity gains may be a result of the way they are observed (much like Amazon is a company with near-zero profits, such a terrible malinvestment!) and how they are distributed. The latter may mean not just siphoning monetary gains, but also changing patterns of control within corporations.

vouaobrasil 3y ago
I wonder if anything you said was actually a good thing. It seems more like a list of horrible things in disguise: * Easy access to information: perhaps that makes us ignore the most important information right in front of our faces? * Easy communication: perhaps that has made destroying communities easier (just move away, I can still call you!) * Online stores:... too much consumerism!

skydhash 3y ago

A toolset is always a personal thing. You’ve adapted things to your need and worklfow, and with that can go with your day without worying about what to use. I believe computing should be customized to the individual or the company. Generic solutions will always feel generic and the current trend of either minimal customization or overcomplication is not helping. I think that’s why some people are pinning for old OS as they fullfilled their role of disapearing in the background and let you do your thing. Now you spend more time interacting with the OS than the applications. Computers can do great, but I think it required some thinking about what you want to accomplish and how a computer can help. Then tailor your computer usage to that. For writing, you may want something like nano/notepad or the full word processor experience. But don’t use one when what you need is the other. Choosing may be difficult, but a period of reflection will help tremendously.

vundercind 3y ago

> Computers aren't really giving us too many benefits. I suspect if we were any good at accounting for this stuff, we’d find that 95% of applications of computers have a 0.1x-1.1x multiplier on whatever we’re applying them to, once you factor in the extra costs, but the other 5% is like 5x-500x. Beneficial overall and yet harmful a majority of the time one encounters it.

vouaobrasil 3y ago
Indeed, that highlights a very interesting paradox. Computers are immensely useful in certain sorts of tasks, but in others they are rather obstructive even though the integration of them in our lives makes them necessary when they ought not to be.

lazide 3y ago

Have you tried sorting a list of names by hand? Once it reaches a certain size, it’s nearly impossible. Also, ballistics. Modeling/simulation. Data storage and retrieval (think DMV, social security, IRS, banking). CNC machining and general manufacturing/design. If you think computers have not dramatically improved nearly every major field of endeavor you interact with, it’s because you were born after they’d already made many major improvements. Or at just ignorant. For instance, it’s still entirely possible to do manual machining and drafting, but there are very very few situations where it makes sense. Hobbiest and one off jobs, mostly. Are there areas where they aren’t really helping? Sure. But they are outnumbered by dozens of ways they are.