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What's Some Tech That Was Better Than It Is Now? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

322 comments fedilink hide all child comments

When you connect a new device to a 'smart' tv, you must pay homage to the manufacturer with a ritualistic dance. Plugging and unplugging the device. Turning them on and off in the correct sequence like entering a konami code.

Every time you want to switch devices, the tv must scan for them. And god forbid you lose power, or unplug something. You are granted the delight experience of doing it all over again.

I have fond memories of the days of just plugging something in, and pressing the input button. Instant gratification. It was a simpler time.

What is some other tech that used to be better?

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[–] [email protected] 74 points 4 months ago (4 children)

Business phones with humans who answered them.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 4 months ago

I hate this so much. I had to call a clinic the other day to ask about medical test results. None of the options on the menu were for that. So I clicked 1 for appointments. Then my options were to reschedule an appointment or to cancel an appointment. No option to go back. I clicked 0 and it hung up on me. Called back, clicked schedule an appointment and it told me to hang up and go online. Fuck me.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

CVS has a speech recognition system that just won't forward me to a damn human.

And the nerve of them to constantly berate you about using the app, when I'm calling because the apps not working.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Have you tried calling the IRS? I think it's the worst.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (3 children)

I'm fine with that. I don't want to talk with people - I just want an email address to write to.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Here, have this useless chatbot instead.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 months ago

This is only going to get more pervasive with the corporate AI craze.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago

I agree overall, but it is usually much quicker to talk with a human on the phone than it is to deal with an automated system.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago

I don't really want to talk to people either, but sometimes you need help right away. I usually try chat first. It's a little less frustrating.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Tbf in many countries you still get this. The Nordics is night and day compared to the U.K. where I live now. You get a local number, a local email and someone who works at that office actually responds and is enabled to make decisions.

It’s a trust thing.