What modern invention/innovation do you wish had *never* been developed?

[1mach1]

The best thing anyone could do for their kids is teach them how to use simple hand tools and make fire.

Yeah, I'm on that for sure! Very good advise for everyone. Unfortunately, my nephew doesn't stand a chance.

 

[HudsonHawk]

"Steel collar" workers may or may not be as efficient in the workplace as human beings, but their ever-increasing presence begs the question: When every task is automated, how will people earn a living?

The world is turning into a Kurt Vonnegut novel.

 

[sheeplady]

I concur. Recently I've seen television commercials for a smartphone app that allows you to order food from local restaurants (that will subsequently be delivered to your front door), and they're very proud of the fact that this app will enable the user to do so "without having to talk to a human being" (or whatever the tagline is). I'm sure there are people out there who wasted no time in downloading this app, but all I could think was, "Wow, that's pathetic."

Even more appalling are the "self check-out" kiosks at the local supermarkets and other retail stores. Setting the issue of human interaction aside for a moment, if/when these become the standard and shoppers will have to scan and bag their own goods, it will eliminate the need for the employees that currently do so and likely lead to their unemployment. "Steel collar" workers may or may not be as efficient in the workplace as human beings, but their ever-increasing presence begs the question: When every task is automated, how will people earn a living?

So I hate most of those Apps. The only App I like to use to order food is the one for Five Guys. This is simply because the local people at our shop don't understand how to make their own veggie sandwich. Like it says, the veggie sandwich is all of the veggies they have on a bun. For whatever reason, when they see it on the screen they understand that it is more than one strip of pepper on a bun. Now, when I go to other Five Guys, they seem to understand that the veggie sandwich has veggies (plural) on it.

I hate the kiosks. I refuse to use them. I also refuse to use ATMs (unless I am traveling) under the same principle. Hire a person to make chit chat with me.

 

[Stearmen]

That's my greatest fear.

[video=youtube;XAjQxfW5gfY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAjQxfW5gfY[/video]

 

[Bushman]

Smartphones. The entire social behavior of humanity has been altered because of these devices. Rather than reading or talking to one another, people just shove their face into a phone and never look up from it. It's sad, really.

 

[2jakes]

Sad !

We can only blame ourselves for all the crime & violence today.
We removed all the phone booths and now he has nowhere to change.

 

[Gregg Axley]

Smartphones. The entire social behavior of humanity has been altered because of these devices. Rather than reading or talking to one another, people just shove their face into a phone and never look up from it. It's sad, really.

I've seen that at my inlaws.
Substitute smart phone with laptop/kindle and you get the picture.
I'm the only one that really doesn't do that, unless I'm on here or a few other sites, but certainly not all day.

 

[Bushman]

I've seen that at my inlaws.
Substitute smart phone with laptop/kindle and you get the picture.
I'm the only one that really doesn't do that, unless I'm on here or a few other sites, but certainly not all day.

Same here, especially when company is over. I just find it rude to pull out your phone when you're entertaining.

 

[LizzieMaine]

*People who think dyeing their armpit hair a novelty color is a bold feminist statement. You wanna make a bold feminist statement? Round up a bunch of Guatamalan nannies and organize them into a union.

*Any person who at any time in their lives has ever called a clerk in a coffee shop "my barista." News flash to all the latte-sippers out there -- no person who punches a clock for a living is "your" anything. They might serve you but you do not own them.

*The word "iconic," when used to describe anything that isn't a medieval religious painting or statue. Or when used, under any circumstances, to describe a type of Greek architectural column.

 

[jamespowers]

*People who think dyeing their armpit hair a novelty color is a bold feminist statement.

:eeek: :faint:

 

[2jakes]

I remember when chicks used to dye themselves completely.

And there are chicks who find nose earrings appealing !

But around the eyes, unless it's just stick-on...the process to
insert a pin must be :scared:

Just sayin'

 

[Stearmen]

I remember when chicks used to dye themselves completely.

And there are chicks who find nose earrings appealing !

But around the eyes, unless it's just stick-on...the process to
insert a pin must be :scared:

Just sayin'

[video=youtube;MBpthkOFPvA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBpthkOFPvA[/video]

 

[Two Types]

I have conflicting views on mobile telephones:

Text messaging is great: Everyone knows that men hate speaking on telephones. The text message reduces conversations to essentials, like 'See u in pub. 4pm'.

But I always look back to my youth and realise we were able to make arrangements and stick to them. If it was Thursday andyou said 'Let's got to the pub on Saturday night' everyone would turn up. If you were late you couldn't make excuses and so would just be left behind. Nowadays mobile phones just make it too easy for people to be late. They think it's ok that they couldn't be bothered to get ready on time since the phone gives them a chance to say 'I'll see you when i get there etc'. So the mobile just facilitates bad manners.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I hate to text. I'd rather hear your voice.

 

[jamespowers]

I hate to text. I'd rather hear your voice.

I am with you there. Everyone knows I don't text.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I don't (and never have) texted and have no desire to own a cell phone. However..I'm the only one in my extended family that can and does do without one.
HD

 

[Gregg Axley]

I hate to text. I'd rather hear your voice.

With some people...I'd rather it be just the opposite.

 

[Stearmen]

I hate to text. I'd rather hear your voice.

Same here! People get mad at me when they text me, and then I call them right back!

 

[HudsonHawk]

With some people...I'd rather it be just the opposite.

No doubt people call you for no reason other than to hear your silky smooth drawl.

 

[HudsonHawk]

Same here! People get mad at me when they text me, and then I call them right back!

Heard a comedian the other day talk about people who text "call me". He says I'm going to start calling people and say "text me".