Old man stuck in his ways vent

[NiceDocter]

This is a version of me , my beeper, my flip phone, my landline at home, and my fax machine. Basically took a few steps into technology but stalled out 10-20-30 years ago. The world is changing. Your choice is suck it up and move ahead a bit or get left in the dust POed for the rest of your life (and it will only get worse). I will never be at the forefront of these advancements but as the telecommunications companies and others gradually stop supporting the old systems, they won’t even be a viable option at all soon. I guess this is what our parents and grandparents went through with cars vs horses, television vs radio shows, no more ice man, milk man, laundry man, …… as the Chinese Curse goes “May you live in interesting times!!” I feel your pain my friend.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I have no choice because of work, but if I had one, I could see not having the latest tech. I hate the effect it has on younger people who seem to look at their devices half their waking lives, or more.

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I have no choice because of work, but if I had one, I could see not having the latest tech. I hate the effect it has on younger people who seem to look at their devices half their waking lives, or more.

And most of their walking lives too...it definitely can be a navigational challenge when encountering one of the headdowners on the sidewalk.

Brian

[paul]

I sympathize with Gary. But you should know, it could be much worse. I recently visited China, and they are completely cashless. You have to buy EVERYTHING (groceries, restaurant meals, bus tickets, cabs), with a special app on a smart phone. To make matters worse, you can only download the app if you have a local Chinese smart phone. And you must link the app to a Chinese bank account. This obviously works out real great for tourists. As far as I can tell, there are only two work-arounds for tourists. You can either travel with a tour group where the tour company pays for everything, or you borrow the phone of a local (and figure out a way to reimburse them).

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by paul

I sympathize with Gary. But you should know, it could be much worse. I recently visited China, and they are completely cashless. You have to buy EVERYTHING (groceries, restaurant meals, bus tickets, cabs), with a special app on a smart phone. To make matters worse, you can only download the app if you have a local Chinese smart phone. And you must link the app to a Chinese bank account. This obviously works out real great for tourists. As far as I can tell, there are only two work-arounds for tourists. You can either travel with a tour group where the tour company pays for everything, or you borrow the phone of a local (and figure out a way to reimburse them).

OMG is it a PIA. Especially being here and trying to take care of family in China. That and they pretty much all still believe is psychics and have other beyond silly beliefs. We can't even find a home health company that will take care of one parent because the ashes of the other is in the house. Sorry for the rant but venting some frustrations helps. Lets get back to complaining about old man issues here.

[pawpawdiv9]

47 this year--- i bought my 1st phone about a yr ago. Had to because of work & doctors.
Dont use it much as for calls, but i get to look at my emails, and websites like this anytime. I get tons of spam and Trump text.
Note, a few yrs ago i went to a resturant in Florida, had to have a phone in to place a order...so we walked out.
And i see some have 'kiosk' screens at fast-food places to order.
SHEEZ, i am old school too!!! I PAY CASH!!!

[Mike D.]

On the "cashless" at the ballpark....I went to Fenway Park a few weeks back, which also says it's "cashless" - which it is...at the concession stands, team store, etc.

The vendors walking around all took (and appeared to prefer) cash, though.

The cashless thing at the concession stands was to a fault...at the game, my son wanted a fried dough, so I handed him $20 and he headed off. He came back a little while later with a fried dough...and my $20. Apparently the concession stand had no ability to take cash, and as a 12 year old he didn't have a credit card on him. So, they just gave him the fried dough and told him next time bring dad.

So, with literally no way to accept money, they ended up just giving the product away. Crazy!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by paul

I sympathize with Gary. But you should know, it could be much worse. I recently visited China, and they are completely cashless. You have to buy EVERYTHING (groceries, restaurant meals, bus tickets, cabs), with a special app on a smart phone. To make matters worse, you can only download the app if you have a local Chinese smart phone. And you must link the app to a Chinese bank account. This obviously works out real great for tourists. As far as I can tell, there are only two work-arounds for tourists. You can either travel with a tour group where the tour company pays for everything, or you borrow the phone of a local (and figure out a way to reimburse them).

Unfortunately there's a growing push to move to a Digital Dollar here in the USA. Fight it with everything you have, as it's basically a financial surveillance tool monitored by the federal govt. It would cripple our hobby, in addition to many more serious evils...

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/inves...igital-dollar/

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Unfortunately there's a growing push to move to a Digital Dollar here in the USA. Fight it with everything you have, as it's basically a financial surveillance tool monitored by the federal govt. It would cripple our hobby, in addition to many more serious evils...

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/inves...igital-dollar/

I have mixed feeling about a cashless world. I am way more for it because it will greatly cut down on all the POS side hustles people do without paying taxes. I owned a small business and they are killing them because you can't compete price wise with some adult loser not paying taxes, insurance, and all the other things real businesses pay. It will greatly reduce the criminal aspect of our society.

I also have no delusions of grandeur so if someone wants to waste time spying on me good for them.

The real bad is having access to be able to use it. Going through this now.

I weirdly have and use all this new "cool" technology now and was one of the first in my area to have a cell phone. I also had internet before it was openly available to the public here. I just like the option of not having to use it.

End of my old man rant.

[chalupacollects]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Unfortunately there's a growing push to move to a Digital Dollar here in the USA. Fight it with everything you have, as it's basically a financial surveillance tool monitored by the federal govt. It would cripple our hobby, in addition to many more serious evils...

https://www.forbes.com/advisor/inves...igital-dollar/

Exactly, this is why several communist countries have embraced digital currency. So you can be at their mercy. Nothing altruistic about it.


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[Mark17]

Originally Posted by chalupacollects

Exactly, this is why several communist countries have embraced digital currency. So you can be at their mercy. Nothing altruistic about it.


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Just as I don't want all these online companies to collect my personal information, I don't want government to know exactly how much money I have, where I have it, how I spend it, and etc.