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

[Turnip]

Any kind of plastic (including …-surgery), artificial fertilizer and inorganic chemistry.

 

[Zombie_61]

I just replaced mine after 28 years of faithful service. We shall see on the new one.

The last water heater I bought remained in service for a period of just over eight years before the bottom literally fell out. Depending on the product, modern companies are being forced into using less durable materials that they can obtain for less money so they can continue to produce whatever they produce and still make enough profits to keep the doors open and the lights on. For the most part, with regards to retail products sold to the general public they seem to have bigger concerns these days than worrying about whether or not their customers are satisfied.

The title of this thread is perfect for my difficulty in grasping cell phone technology. When it comes to simple speaking and texting, the mobility can't be beat. Add on the camera and timepiece, I'm still there. Now add on A.I. and the internet connection, satnav, television, compass, this, that and the other and the brain pain is like no other.

If necessary, I could figure out how to use the various functions that come already installed on my cell phone, but for the most part I don't need (or want) all of that rubbish. Of course, every time I need a new cell phone because my old one has stopped functioning practically in one form or another, I feel like I'm over-paying simply because I'll never use 95% of what the phone can do.

Kids seem to be born with smart phone knowledge whilst I am left floundering. A curse on the wretched smart phones.

I am beginning to consider said "smart phone knowledge" to be a step in human evolution; I just haven't decided if it's a step in the right direction. Seems like a somewhat natural progression considering we've all been learning about computer devices (desktops, laptops, tablets, etc.) for more than a few decades now. And, as you've observed, children seem to know instinctively/naturally how to use them. But, again, considering all of the stupid things some people use their "smart" phones for, I think I'll hold that "evolution" theory in place for a while just to see if it ever comes to fruition.