Offtopic thread: caught in time

[Ian A]

It's amazing just how much a simple "phone" can do now ...

[Les Williams]

It's amazing just how much a simple "phone" can do now ...

They are not really phones, or simple, these days. Your phone is actually a full blown powerful microcomputer (probably with more power than most desk top machines), it also has a really high res camera, and lots of other technical stuff like satnav, email, etc. It is all fully integrated and is a most powerful tool. Oh, it also has a phone... 

[Ian A]

Yes Les, I know. Depressing, isn't it?

Camera - My wife has a "high-res" camera. I know because it cost me a fortune. She goes up a mountain and takes shots of jets that pass beneath her. She uses a technique called "panning" (I realise I might be being a bit simple, but it's mostly out of my sphere of understanding). She only uses manual focus (there's a reason but I can't recall it) and all the other techno stuff is manual too (can't remember because some of the words were quite long).

Sat Nav - Well, I had to go to Chester today. I didn't use the satnav (on my car because I don't know how to access it on my phone) and found that the road was closed heading into the city. Fortunately, I was able to read the road signs and arrows that said "Diversion" and I made it on time and didn't get lost or go around in circles backwards and forwards.

Email - I went to work this morning and, upon turning on my "other computer", a number of emails flooded in. I am glad I didn't see them before I started work because they were from clients mithering me for more miracles.

It was good to use my "most powerful tool" though. Everyone in the office has one. Some of us have two screens (I only have one because I am half the size of everyone else), and it helps with the hugely complicated, magnificent spreadsheets that we use all day.

I am delighted to learn that my "phone" will do all those things too.

Oh, wait ...

It doesn't.

Then again, my bank has now forced me to use my "phone" to generate an authenticity code to access my business online banking by discontinuing the handy little gadget I kept in the drawer. I telephoned them (the online chat was AI and didn't understand what I wanted - another fail for technology) and when I explained to the (Indian) operator that I need access even if my phone is confiscated by the Police for three months (which it was) - he mumbled something in an alien language and cut me off.

So, I have concluded, that the use of the "phone" beyond the definition of "phone" is not only limited in value but there is an impending disaster waiting when I cannot access business internet banking because the Police have my phone again. I am sure all the clients and staff will understanding though.

On the other hand, I did receive a phone call today and it handled that satisfactorily.

Odd world we live in, wouldn't you say?

 

[Les Williams]

I am pretty sure technology will make life more inconvenient, but as more and more stuff becomes digital it seems that we are destined to go there anyway... 
I guess we (older people) need to embrace the tech, even though we don't like it and are unhappy with where it is taking us, as otherwise we will get left behind. Unfortunately it seems that no amount of moaning and pining for the "good old days"^TM is going to make bugger all difference to those that make decisions... 

[Dave Tyson]

I am not sure you are right on this Les. I can see a big crunch coming over AI fairly soon. The models require ever increasing amounts of computing power which equates to a lot more electricity. The building costs are huge and the income marginal. Plus the data the models are trained on will eventually incorporate more and more bad data. When the models cannot decide what is kosher then they will just make up stuff as happens now. I think the bubble will burst in 12-18 months time. The bloody AI engines grab a lot of data from the publc UCET forum despite being told not to... (This is bit off topic for poems!)

Dave

[Ian A]

I know you are right Les.

No buts ... but ...

Why is it that when something goes wrong with your car, its something that's never happened before AND you can't fix it AND the garage haven't seen that particular problem before either? AND, its every time?

"Embracing technology" is just asking for new trouble when its hard enough to avoid it anyway.

Like most "older" folk, I like to moan, complain and whinge. I know we will get left behind if we don't embrace technology. I think I am ok with that. I am quite close to being a pensioner (well, before the parameters were changed) and the moment I become one I shall make myself other people's problem. As a white male, I couldn't get away with doing that except that, as a pensioner, I stand a chance of courting some "pity" and someone just "might" do stuff for me so I won't have to.

There again, I may be delusional ...