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>People will argue this point. However, when I look at all the things that tech has done thinking it was going to improve society; when in fact, it did the exac

>People will argue this point. However, when I look at all the things that tech has done thinking it was going to improve society; when in fact, it did the exact opposite is hard to argue. Certainly a lot of bad things have come out of tech. But I don't agree that it has made everything overall worse. That feels like recency bias. In which few decades in history would you rather be spending your years on this earth, instead of now?

coldtea 6mo ago
I'd take the 90s, 80s, 70s or 60s anytime, just gimme that magic time travel option. You know what, even the 00s would be fine.
- munksbeer 6mo ago
  Yes, recency bias.
  - coldtea 6mo ago
    Nope, raw "actually good balance of stuff I like and stuff I don't like in those decades" pragmatism. I could not give less fucks for having AI and smartphones and most other stuff, including all the fancy new medical procedures which are barely incremental. Fridges, basic 90s-style internet and mini-skirts and welfare, and cheap housing, and jobs-a-plenty, more affordable healthcare, and the lifestyle, I can use just fine! And I'd avoid the Plague or feudal times too. Including the techno-feudal times of today. Pretend people can't have periods they'd be fine to live again and might prefer to today is bullshit.
    - munksbeer 6mo ago
      The thing is, the option you want is available today. There are communities all around the world that live much simpler lives. Some just because that is how they are, others because they've formed communities to escape all the things you don't like. Genuine question, have you ever investigated these options? If so, why did you dismiss them?
      - esseph 6mo ago
        > The thing is, the option you want is available today. Disagree Removing yourself from the computing environment does not remove the impact it has on the world and around you. That is the equivalent of sticking one's head in the sand.
        munksbeer 6mo ago
        The option is still available to you though. Sticking your head in the sand could be a great strategy if it improves your happiness and wellbeing.
        esseph 6mo ago
        > The option is still available to you though. Sticking your head in the sand could be a great strategy if it improves your happiness and wellbeing. Right now I am picturing the dog drinking coffee in the burning room meme.
        munksbeer 6mo ago
        I really think this is extreme doomerism. Things are not that bad. And as I say, wouldn't you be happier if you lived in an environment where you were not impacted by all the stuff you dislike?
        esseph 6mo ago
        "Just take soma" is what you are telling me right now. Four things: 1. I am a parent. Ignoring like the world doesn't exist is not an option. > wouldn't you be happier if you lived in an environment where you were not impacted by all the stuff you dislike? 2. That would not be possible. 3. If you have the capability to do something, some believe you have an obligation to. Actively working to not make a shit world requires a deep awareness and understanding that leads to consistent action. 4. Trying to isolate yourself like in the face of so much suffering, including those around you, seems like the most selfish thing I can imagine. Could never be me. > Things are not that bad. For YOU maybe, for fucks sake.
  - vinceguidry 6mo ago
    Please. Covid destroyed everything in my life that I loved.
  - bryanrasmussen 6mo ago
    anti-recency bias, with a less recency bias tagged on before. I gotta say it reminds me a bit of that old Louis C.K bit where black people can't be messing with time machines. I guess gay people can't either. I don't think if you were gay you'd want the 60s, 70s, 80s or even 90s - maybe late 90s. I mean it does seem that there are many groups of people I could think of that might be like 10 years ago please, but not much further back than that. Then again social progress not being evenly distributed might mean that 20 years ago and in a different country might be equivalent to 10 years for some life scenarios.

coldtea 6mo ago

I'd take the 90s, 80s, 70s or 60s anytime, just gimme that magic time travel option. You know what, even the 00s would be fine.

munksbeer 6mo ago
Yes, recency bias.
- coldtea 6mo ago
  Nope, raw "actually good balance of stuff I like and stuff I don't like in those decades" pragmatism. I could not give less fucks for having AI and smartphones and most other stuff, including all the fancy new medical procedures which are barely incremental. Fridges, basic 90s-style internet and mini-skirts and welfare, and cheap housing, and jobs-a-plenty, more affordable healthcare, and the lifestyle, I can use just fine! And I'd avoid the Plague or feudal times too. Including the techno-feudal times of today. Pretend people can't have periods they'd be fine to live again and might prefer to today is bullshit.
  - munksbeer 6mo ago
    The thing is, the option you want is available today. There are communities all around the world that live much simpler lives. Some just because that is how they are, others because they've formed communities to escape all the things you don't like. Genuine question, have you ever investigated these options? If so, why did you dismiss them?
    - esseph 6mo ago
      > The thing is, the option you want is available today. Disagree Removing yourself from the computing environment does not remove the impact it has on the world and around you. That is the equivalent of sticking one's head in the sand.
      - munksbeer 6mo ago
        The option is still available to you though. Sticking your head in the sand could be a great strategy if it improves your happiness and wellbeing.
        esseph 6mo ago
        > The option is still available to you though. Sticking your head in the sand could be a great strategy if it improves your happiness and wellbeing. Right now I am picturing the dog drinking coffee in the burning room meme.
        munksbeer 6mo ago
        I really think this is extreme doomerism. Things are not that bad. And as I say, wouldn't you be happier if you lived in an environment where you were not impacted by all the stuff you dislike?
        esseph 6mo ago
        "Just take soma" is what you are telling me right now. Four things: 1. I am a parent. Ignoring like the world doesn't exist is not an option. > wouldn't you be happier if you lived in an environment where you were not impacted by all the stuff you dislike? 2. That would not be possible. 3. If you have the capability to do something, some believe you have an obligation to. Actively working to not make a shit world requires a deep awareness and understanding that leads to consistent action. 4. Trying to isolate yourself like in the face of so much suffering, including those around you, seems like the most selfish thing I can imagine. Could never be me. > Things are not that bad. For YOU maybe, for fucks sake.
- vinceguidry 6mo ago
  Please. Covid destroyed everything in my life that I loved.
- bryanrasmussen 6mo ago
  anti-recency bias, with a less recency bias tagged on before. I gotta say it reminds me a bit of that old Louis C.K bit where black people can't be messing with time machines. I guess gay people can't either. I don't think if you were gay you'd want the 60s, 70s, 80s or even 90s - maybe late 90s. I mean it does seem that there are many groups of people I could think of that might be like 10 years ago please, but not much further back than that. Then again social progress not being evenly distributed might mean that 20 years ago and in a different country might be equivalent to 10 years for some life scenarios.