I'm a luddite. | TheaterFire

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You probably already know but the Ludfites didn't actually hate technological advances, they just realised the machines were going to push them out of jobs or devalue their labour. So they smashed machines to protect their livelihoods. But I hear you, if I don't need it then it gets ignored.

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Provocating@reddit

I work on my own cars, I preferred naturally aspirated carbed cars but I do have a couple of modern cars because of better gas mileage. I can work on all of them, but I will not have anything after 2019, well because I want something with a dipstick and no subscriptions. I have been in the computer field since I was really young, had computers back before most people had one like Atari 800 days. As a career I have always been into it, networking, security, sys admin, devops, programming, etc. But the last couple of years I am just about over it. Corporations have just ruined it all. I cannot even buy a gaming laptop that is decent that is not 3k+, AI is everywhere and it is hot garbage. It is creeping into my work life and I am screaming at the clouds that we do not need to implement it just because we can! I remember the ol' Jurassic Park quote ya know. Anyway, I am close to being able to afford to leave but I cannot really draw my pension for a few more years without a hit. The days feel unbearable sometimes, I am either bored or annoyed. I also wonder if I do leave and already bored, what is going to be my mental state without work also.

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OneLookForASafePlace@reddit

Mid 50's tech coming out my eyeballs. Work heavily with AI, as in configuring it for others to use, not just consuming it. EV, solar, batteries. House is crammed internally with tech. Husband automates everything. And we sit in the dark watching an enormous tv I can barely operate cos it has 4 devices connected to it, 8 streaming services and we still only watch stuff he's downloaded to a plex server. After the tv/device/storage has updated and forgotten its password/wifi. It's too much. Once I retire and separate, I am so looking forward to a little house with lamps that have switches and reading paper books. I'll probably still go the EV/solar/battery route for energy safety and a speaker/radio but apart from that I'm not interested at all.

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therealgookachu@reddit

I’ve always had the attitude that tech needs to prove itself useful and practical for the money before I adopt it. This ran from CDs to AI. I’m a slow adopter because the ROI needs to be high for me to care. I’m not a Luddite; I’m just infinitely practical and a cheap skate. I have no interest in keeping up with the Jones’. Show me that it’s useful, and I’ll learn.

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TC_Stock@reddit

I've worked in tech for over 25 years. My family comes to me with their tech problems. I was so passionate about tech when I was young but I've grown to hate it. I didnt know what it would turn into. If I could go back in time I think I would have tried to become a mortician. I have relatives who work in the funerary business and they seem content with it.

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Kodiak01@reddit

I used to be passionate about tech. From the TRS-80 days to COBOL on a Burroughs B1900 to building my own computers and was always on the forefront. Hell, I was even a manager at the local CompUSSR back in the late 90s! It's been a while, though. Recently I considered doing my first build in years. I start seeing all this crap I know nothing about... XMP? EXPO? 2.5GBE? Why the hell do I have to start worrying about CAS latency again, it's not 1998! Fan speed curves? WTF is with all these massive oversized coolers? People just splooge TIM on the CPU now? Whatever happened to the fine art of using a single edge razor blade to neatly spread a translucent layer across the entire die? Jesus Fucking Christ On A Popsicle Stick, GPUs cost **THAT MUCH NOW?!** Finally I just said Fuck It and bought one of [these.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLX58XQY?th=1) For what I do, that will hold me over for the next several years. It has a second M2 2280 slot so when I need to I'll throw another one in, but otherwise it's enough for me.

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SheriffBartholomew@reddit

Hardware prices absolutely exploded over the last 6-8 months because of, you guessed it, AI! I built my son a PC around 8 months ago that I wouldn't be able to afford to build him today, it would cost 500% more money, assuming there was even any parts availability.

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SheriffBartholomew@reddit

I loved tech most of my life, when everyone was trying to create the best software and websites as they could. But now it's a race to the bottom to create the most frustrating, useless shit ever in exchange for maximum shareholder value and data extraction. Fuck off!

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TraditionalBackspace@reddit

You aren't missing much. IMO, technology peaked in the early 2000s. It's become more cumbersome and less convenient since. I don't need internet-connected refrigerators and triple authentication to log in to pay my water bill.

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SheriffBartholomew@reddit

> and triple authentication to log in to pay my water bill. Right? If someone wants to hack into my account and pay my bill for me, let them! Matter of fact, make the payment option public.

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crs1904@reddit

Adaptation beats nostalgia every time.

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Ok_Jellyfish3215@reddit

This is exactly what I think also. I'm a big fan of learning as I go instead of trying to catch up.

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

Besides at work. I only have my toes dipped in the fancy dancy tech of today. No smart phone (I wouldn't even have a phone if it was for my wife). No internet at home. Just got rid of satellite tv. I prefer old cars over new ones. ect....

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GogDog@reddit

You’re a top 1% commenter and you’re bragging about being disconnected. I used to be mad when younger people called us boomers but now I think they were on to something.

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ONROSREPUS@reddit

Hmmm. I don't really see that as bragging. It is my life choice and I don't force it on others. I deal with the latest tech at my job every day. I like to go home and be disconnected.

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Weak-Frame-9976@reddit

I'm a systems admin. In three years I'm the hell out and going analogue. Our technology seems to be run by and for the benefits very worst people, and continues to dehumanize our increasingly transactional connections. I'll be 60 and not have much, but we'll be off grid and off shore

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Alternative-Law4626@reddit

30 years in tech and I come down just the opposite. I’m still all in on tech and what’s coming. Not running from it at all.

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radioactivecat@reddit

Seriously. “AI” has sucked all the fun and novelty out of our field. We always need to remember that the luddites were actually the good guys, even though it’s used as a slur now.

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Historical_Bath_9854@reddit

Me too.

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temerairevm@reddit

I had a small meltdown about my Fitbit yesterday. I’ve worn a smartwatch for 10 years and I nearly just threw it away. For those who don’t know, google bought it and is busy enshittifying it. Yesterday was the deadline to move your account to a gmail. Except. My work gmail won’t work. My spouse has a throwaway gmail but we can’t put 2 devices on it. So I was forced to create a new gmail just for this stupid device. The absolute last thing I want in the world is a new account with passwords and BS. There were probably 10 different verification steps. It failed like 5 times before it worked. I was so frustrated. When this watch dies I won’t buy another. Every electronic thing that’s good and useful gets turned into inconvenient junk. Life without this garbage is cheaper and probably less stressful.

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Historical_Bath_9854@reddit

I had a Samsung and Pixel on one account, but that was before the tragedy of FitBit, I will not pay for what was free. I am sorry, we are suffering 🫂

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Ok-Cup6020@reddit

Did you blow up a data center or something?

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lotsalotsacoffee@reddit

I work in IT. Prior to going into IT I loved tech. I'm still tech savvy but I no longer enjoy it. I like what it can do for me, I just have no interest in tinkering with it or troubleshooting when not on the clock.

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tampaforfun@reddit

Agreed. I was in love with tech in the 80s and couldn't get enough. Social media killed it. Always being connected to work killed it. Zoom meetings killed it. I plan to retire early and enjoy a more analog life. I also plan to write retro computer games.

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focalac@reddit

Yep, I’m an AV guy. Working in service has completely fucked any interest I had in the gear. Everything I see is broken, badly installed or difficult to access. The users don’t understand the kit well enough to not break it. I’m going to assume you’re an American as this sub seems to lean that way more than most; we have a saying in Britain, you probably have something similar “never buy a mechanic’s car.” We get so jaded from doing our jobs that the last thing we want to do is go home and do more work. You and I don’t want to keep up with tech, the mechanic doesn’t want to maintain his own car.

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Five_String_Serenade@reddit

Me the other day, out loud, verbatim, no one in earshot: I NEED A FUCKING TEENAGER!!! 🤬 I so get you.

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HedgehogNo8361@reddit (OP)

LOL I like to bring my kid with me to run errands. She's my eyes (can't see without my readers) and reminds me bring / not forget my phone. Plus, she's great company!

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Five_String_Serenade@reddit

Why’d you get downvoted? I don’t understand.

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MusicalMerlin1973@reddit

My kids have tried explaining how to do X. I’ve told them I’ve learned how to do X five times. I’ll be damned if I’m going to lean it a sixth time because some NIH decided to change it. Again. That t shirt was burned long ago. No, it’s not better. The new cars? GTFO. You replaced a perfectly workable system with a dial that responds quickly with that 📺 that lags for basic radio function? And don’t even think about trying to sell me a vehicle where you have to use the screen to set environmental controls. No way that’s safe while driving. Does being unwilling to be exploited for another round of consumerism make me a Luddite? Ok. Whatever.

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Ray_The_Engineer@reddit

There are worse things to be at this point. I work in tech, but consciously put my phone down and go do things that aren't "screen-related" for a while.

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Historical_Project86@reddit

I celebrate and wallow in my scepticism. I'm not a luddite, but embracing tech for the sake of it is for chumps IMO. You can see it in all the AI posts on LinkedIn. This morning I am mostly trolling people by asking them to remove the em dashes from their AI-generated codswallop.

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73rd-virgin@reddit

(57) I didn't get my first cell phone until 2005, after I'd been delivering pizza for about six months. It was one of those $20 phones you'd buy at Walmart and buy cards to add minutes. I didn't get online until 2007, still using the same email address. My younger sister is my tech support.

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Cute-Patient-91@reddit

My 1st boss rejoiced in being described as a Luddite & demonstrated it thru his actions! The scene, early 90's Government office in the UK, 3 minions & 1 boss/supervisor. Above decided it was time to start "computerising". 1st computer installed was in boss's office. When they came back to review after a month, he asked for a second keyboard instead of a mouse because a keyboard could weigh down 3 stacks of paper whilst a mouse could only do one.......

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GuitarHeroInMyHead@reddit

We - as a generation - have seen the full advent of technology on a personal and societal level. I am not sure where the Luddite tendencies come from as the oldest of us have been immersed in tech since we were less than 10 years old (video games, PCs, Internet access) . While there are aspects to all tech that are negative, it is the reality we live in. It is a case of engage or be left behind.

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7eregrine@reddit

I don't understand. WE were the first real "tech generation". The Apple 2E in classrooms. Atari. Coleco. Nintendo. Sonic and Mario. Cable TV. And when we got older? The pager. The cell phone. The Palm Pilot. That was us. We were first. Really the only difference between us and kids today.... We went outside. On purpose.

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Five_String_Serenade@reddit

I can learn a software package (I should say, I *could*, back in the day). I was in desktop publishing for 20 years. I managed the department. Setting up things with cords, figuring out all the tomfoolery that Windows requires, WTF is a hotspot and why do I need it, the RAM and Memory of it all? GTFOH! Honestly, being retired for a decade, it boils down to, do I want to learn it? No. Can I set down new memories? No. And I basically have no left brain and never have. If it’s not creative, I’m out. Just one perspective.

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abstractraj@reddit

Not me. I work in tech and enjoy all sorts of gadgetry

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HedgehogNo8361@reddit (OP)

I worked in Silicon Valley / SF in the early-mid 90s designing websites and I loved it. I drifted away after life happened. I move south and I had my kid and became a SAHM. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯

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SendIt_Wheel@reddit

Luddites unite!

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HedgehogNo8361@reddit (OP)

If I need a ride, I call a cab lol

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Kestrel_Iolani@reddit

We all hit a line somewhere and it's different for everyone. I don't mind a smartphone but i "accidentally" leave it at home sometimes. But i also write with a fountain pen (in an analog journal!) and shave with a safety razor.

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More_Law6245@reddit

I get frustrated as hell with my wife because she hates technology but is required to use it for work and personal use at home but refuses to learn the basics, let alone any type of brake fixes and just throws her hands up in the air and comes whining to me to fix computer.

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fiddycixer@reddit

When I go into thrift stores I realize that kids today look at CDs the way I looked at 8-tracks. I still remember the day my dad brought a CD player home. I'm not old fashioned yet, but I'm getting there. I'm embracing AI at work because I love to learn, but I just hired a kid who I know is gonna think I'm old fashioned.

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