I agree that the parent is being overly pessimistic, but on balance I’m not sure that your list represents a net positive. The iPhone especially has been negative, as it nearly single-handedly ushered in the era of ubiquitous smartphones, vendor lock-in, and app stores.
"No value" is of course not the same as "net positive benefit".
Takes drones for example. I've been woken by them at 7am on campsites. I've been quietly reading a book at the beach only to be disrupted by some instagram addict with a drone. Peaceful walks in the mountains have been disrupted. As far as I'm concerned, they're a net-negative. They're excessively loud, annoying, and as far as I'm concerned they're net-negative.
You're other examples are more complex, but my point is mainly: "provides value" is not identical to "net positive benefit".
Online tax prep isn't a net positive at all. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't need to exist. In normal countries, the government already knows your income and other such info, and fills out your taxes for you; you just have to verify and sign, unless there's a problem.
Messaging apps are a bit similar: SMS is so horrible that proprietary apps were made as a better alternative, but it's all Balkanized and incompatible. Still, they fill a need, since communication is important and something people should do (tax prep is not: most people shouldn't be doing it at all).
The smartphone is the worst invention in the history of the world. Worse than nuclear weapons, worse than corona virus, worse than leaded gasoline. It is an enslavement device, a tracking device, a spying device.
[EDIT] Messaging "apps" used to be neutral but now are trending negative due to being controlled by spy companies.
Taxation is theft so making it easier doesn't sound like a good thing.
Spotify is a service designed to remove your property rights under guise of giving you access to a large catalogue.
Dropbox is a government surveillance service. Upload your files so the government can scan them.
Another way to phrase this point: if I had to choose between all of it, so far, or none of it — I’d choose the latter. And as I type here now, I say I would. Pull the plug
klyrs|3 years ago
throwaway5959|3 years ago
everdrive|3 years ago
arp242|3 years ago
Takes drones for example. I've been woken by them at 7am on campsites. I've been quietly reading a book at the beach only to be disrupted by some instagram addict with a drone. Peaceful walks in the mountains have been disrupted. As far as I'm concerned, they're a net-negative. They're excessively loud, annoying, and as far as I'm concerned they're net-negative.
You're other examples are more complex, but my point is mainly: "provides value" is not identical to "net positive benefit".
midoridensha|3 years ago
Messaging apps are a bit similar: SMS is so horrible that proprietary apps were made as a better alternative, but it's all Balkanized and incompatible. Still, they fill a need, since communication is important and something people should do (tax prep is not: most people shouldn't be doing it at all).
ynab4|3 years ago
Well meme'd, good sir
Am4TIfIsER0ppos|3 years ago
[EDIT] Messaging "apps" used to be neutral but now are trending negative due to being controlled by spy companies.
Taxation is theft so making it easier doesn't sound like a good thing.
Spotify is a service designed to remove your property rights under guise of giving you access to a large catalogue.
Dropbox is a government surveillance service. Upload your files so the government can scan them.
Drones are govt surveillance devices.
3d printing is neutral.
euroderf|3 years ago
rkho|3 years ago
- The tech industry - Net positive benefit - Humanity
?
chrisbolt|3 years ago
richardatlarge|3 years ago
gsatic|3 years ago
osigurdson|3 years ago