I don't mind this personally with ebay, I might be out a few extra dollars sometimes but at least I am supporting independent sellers and not having to waste time visiting and put my info into many websites. If they are violating the terms of service of Amazon Walmart etc. to do so, great, I support that. If they are waiting for sales to get a better price, fine, I wouldn't want to bother with that myself.
If their lack of actually having the item resulted in me not getting it at all, I'd be a little pissed about it, but I haven't experienced that. Overall I like ebay way better than other e-retailers.
Ideally I don't want my car to be a computer at all, maybe isolated chips to run the abs and such very well defined strictly necessary tasks but that's it. Maybe a company will happen to make a good car at one point in time, but there aren't any companies you can trust not to fuck it up if they have perpetual access to tinker with it.
In an era dominated by rapid technological advancements, it's alarming to reflect on how our once-celebrated innovations now often feel like burdens rather than conveniences. This sentiment was poignantly echoed in a recent video that delved into the frustrations and unexpected positives of modern technology.
The video begins with a stark contrast between fiber internet and its predecessor. In 2018, uploading a mere 15-minute YouTube video took an excruciating two hours, rendering the household's internet unusable for any other device during this time. Today, boasting speeds of up to two gigabytes per second without intermittent outages, fiber internet feels like a luxury we take for granted—a stark reminder of how technology can swiftly evolve.
However, not all technological intrusions are benign. The video humorously recounts an incident involving AT&T's installation of fiber optics, which resulted in flooding half the neighborhood, knocking down power lines, and leaving live wires dangerously exposed. In exchange for this chaos, they offered a mere $1 credit, underscoring how some companies prioritize profit over consumer satisfaction.
Amidst these technological mishaps, there are islands of innovation that still bring joy. The Nespresso machine stands out as a gem in the realm of coffee technology, offering the convenience of a Keurig without compromising on taste. Its sustainable pod recycling program adds another layer of appeal, making it more than just a gadget but a responsible choice.
Electric razors also made the list, praised for their efficiency and longevity. Unlike traditional shaving methods, electric razors eliminate the need for frequent blade changes, proving to be both cost-effective and convenient. The added versatility of being able to use them on sensitive areas like the groin further underscores their value.
The video concludes with a humorous jab at subscription perks, revealing that YouTube rewards new subscribers with $100—a sum withdrawn as cash and used to combat Florida's harsh winters. This quip serves as a poignant reminder of how even technological advancements come with unexpected costs.
In essence, while technology has undoubtedly transformed our lives, it's essential to recognize the balance between progress and quality of life. The video highlights that amidst the chaos and occasional frustrations, there are still innovations worth celebrating. Fiber internet, Nespresso machines, and electric razors exemplify the potential for technology to improve daily experiences, despite its challenges.
As we navigate this digital age, let us cherish the moments when technology genuinely enhances our lives, rather than complicating them further.
You don't need to be an "absolutist" to believe in free speech. Open exchange of ideas is valuable. Not needing to be suspicious of everyone hiding what they really think out of fear is valuable. Censorship powers are very tempting to abuse and the consequences of their abuse are terrible, therefore they should be strictly limited. Believing in free speech can just be understanding this stuff and having a bias against shutting people up as a go-to solution.
How do you know they are going to reduce military influence?
I don't, but it seems like other countries are getting the message that they can't count on the US to defend them and their alliance is shaky, which seems like it could lead to working towards replacing our role and becoming less dependent, which would be great, because again, we're the bad guys.
How are tariffs going to help people who are struggling to afford anything as it is?
They are not going to help with that, unfortunately. A worse economy is the price of cutting back on free trade, and the current administration will put as much of that price as they can on the people least able to afford it. Done right, it would be in combination with redistribution to the people who are worst off. I'll admit, this part is bad.
If the goal is to get people to buy American, what is stopping everything from only being controlled or made by corrupted people or corporations who set up on American soil?
To me, the desired outcome of inevitably mutual tariffs isn't getting people to buy American, it's reducing the leverage and influence of international corporations, which are malevolent and can use that influence in harmful ways. If local companies have a built in advantage, divide and conquer tactics shouldn't work as well (ie. cut safety regulations or face retaliatory job loss). The typical corporate pattern of building up a monopoly and then using that leverage to extract money by fucking everyone over shouldn't work as well on an international scale. Free trade agreements that give companies rights at the expense of people will hopefully have less appeal and make less sense.
I'm not a republican, but from my perspective the US empire has been a force for evil in the world for almost all of its existence. International free trade elevates the power of corporations above countries (ex. international IP law enforcement). The neoliberal status quo sucks, and even if tariffs and pressuring US allies to build up their own militaries and not rely on us are being done for the wrong reasons and not in the right way, they still act to dismantle it. I can see it being better than the alternative in the long run, at least for the world if not for those of us living in the US.
This is all true but I think it was still a good show especially compared to what else was on non-cable TV at the time. There wasn't any show that actually prompted conversation about it in my family the way Lost did. That they built its appeal on reckless overprinting of plot threads they could never satisfyingly resolve was a dirty trick, but everyone fell for it, so to me they still get credit.
Straws become the focus because people like them and find them useful and make them a part of their culture and then proposed bans threaten to take them away. People do focus on them, I've seen plenty of online arguments about straw bans and the ethics of straws, which happens because they are a part of the lives of the people arguing about them, unlike fishing nets which they never use or see.
There is a side of environmentalism that comes off as being smugly superior about your lifestyle and disparaging and seeking to shame and control in small ways (usually poorer) people who don't live that way, with the pretext that it's about saving the planet. To me that sort of thing seems like it's mainly just a dumpster fire of political capital, purely counterproductive.
chicken @ chicken @lemmy.dbzer0.com Posts 0Comments 1,230Joined 2 yr. ago
Ah the old "yes this is heaven" switcharoo