View Full Version : The Luddite award thread.
Just a bit of fun really. Feel free to list all the gadgets you do own.
Gadgets I don’t have.
Mobile phone. I’ve got a land line and pen and paper and I use email.
Camera. I used to have one.
Mp3 Player.
Cine Camera.
Coffee maker.
Teasmade. isn't that what you get married for? :scratch:
Food Mixer. Got some nice cooks knives and a mortar and pestal though.
Television. I do use the computer to view films and I do use iplayer.
Car. Got a bicycle for getting around locally and a motorbike for those petrol head moments.
Sandwich toaster.
Electric screwdriver. I use something called a Yankee and have done for years. With the right attachments it will drive nuts, bolts and screws.
Electronic clock or watch.
Kindle.
Electric can opener. Are we feckin sure.
LCD picture frame. Ffs!
Leaf blower :doh:
Car washer.
I’m sure there are many more and when I can think of them I’ll add to the list.
I don't know who to feel sorriest for, you or me :lol: - I've got most of those :doh: .
Dave.
Reid Malenfant
19-10-2011, 17:06
Ok John, i'll do the same as you & list what i don't have..I'll remove some of the stuff you mentioned though ;)
Just a bit of fun really. Feel free to list all the gadgets you do own.
Gadgets I don’t have.
Mobile phone. I’ve got a land line and pen and paper and I use email.
Mp3 Player.
Cine Camera.
Coffee maker.
Teasmade. isn't that what you get married for? :scratch:
Food Mixer. Got some nice cooks knives and a mortar and pestal though.
Car. Got a bicycle for getting around locally.
Sandwich toaster.
Electric screwdriver. I use something called a Yankee and have done for years. With the right attachments it will drive nuts, bolts and screws.
Kindle.
Electric can opener. Are we feckin sure.
LCD picture frame. Ffs!
Leaf blower :doh:
Car washer.
Automatic washing machine (twin tub this way) :eyebrows:
Tumble drier
Dishwasher
Answerphone
Sky box & Virgin TV/Tivo
PS3 & Xbox 360 (PS2 is as far as i went)
I'll add other stuff if i think of it :eyebrows: It's not easy trying to think of stuff you don't own though ;)
Lol - good choice of thread, John, given what's being discussed elsewhere! :eyebrows:
However, let's look at subject of luddites in a little more detail.... Luddite: One who opposes technical or technological change.
Based on the above definition, I don't consider myself as a Luddite, simply because I don't automatically oppose ALL technical or technological change - only that which I consider hinders aspects of our intellectual and social development. And in the case of hi-fi, technological changes which to my ears have resulted in the lowering of standards of audio reproduction quality.
Many of today's 'must have' gadgets, born largely from people's obsession now with convenience, and currently being discussed on the Kindle thread, IMO, come into the category of ultimately being more of a hindrance than an asset to our intellectual and social development. However, there are many things that don't, such as technological advances in medicine, which have resulted in saving lives or curing diseases, or in inventing apparatus which has improved the quality of life of the disabled or infirm.
Without entering into long lists, there are plenty more examples one could cite where technology, when used properly, has been of great benefit to the lives of many people, and of course I support the influence it has had in those areas very much. Like Martin, I would likely not be here today if it weren't for technological advances in surgical procedures and in medicine.
That's why I hate labels being put on people - because they're too bloody rigid! Therefore, just because I don't embrace the use of modern technology as much as some others do, or seek to own the latest 'must have' gadget, doesn't make me (or anyone else who shares my mentality) a Luddite! ;)
I embrace the use of technological gadgetry only after careful consideration, when I feel that it will genuinely improve my life, or that of others, in some significant way :)
Marco.
Leaf blowers - what the feck is that all about - now a leaf vacuum I can see the sense in...
Other than that, no teasmade, kindle, electric can opener or LCD picture frame, but otherwise I own everything else on your list John and Mark - and then some! :lol:
You pedantic fecker Marco :lolsign:
But yes you are absolutely correct but I couldn’t think of a better title at the time :eyebrows:
My view is actually a bit like yours and some others who post here it seems, I’m far from anti technology but I am quite anti what I and you seem to describe as the fad/fashion accessory type.
I wouldn’t for a moment stop people buying the stuff; I can see that some of it at least is great fun……….for a while :eyebrows:
The direction and priorities it suggests to the consumer and social development are a bit concerning but as mentioned elsewhere I prolly just one small finger in the dyke, but that finger is upright and protruding from a closed fist ;)
My daughters still give me endless grief over the dry spill scenario.
Muesli spilt on flloor (well we gota be a bit right on here)
Daughter heads off to get the vacuum cleaner.
"Wots wrong with the dustpan and brush" says dad. "Will we have to bend over and mess up the hairdo."
Lol - pedantic, moi? :eyebrows:
Soz, I forgot to check your list. I'll highlight the things I have:
Mobile phone I’ve got a land line and pen and paper and I use email.
Camera. I used to have one.
Mp3 Player.
Cine Camera.
Coffee maker.
Teasmade. isn't that what you get married for? :scratch:
Food Mixer. Got some nice cooks knives and a mortar and pestal though.
Television. I do use the computer to view films and I do use iplayer.
Car. Got a bicycle for getting around locally and a motorbike for those petrol head moments.
Sandwich toaster.
Electric screwdriver. I use something called a Yankee and have done for years. With the right attachments it will drive nuts, bolts and screws.
Electronic clock or watch.
Kindle.
Electric can opener. Are we feckin sure.
LCD picture frame. Ffs!
Leaf blower :doh:
Car washer.
I’m sure there are many more and when I can think of them I’ll add to the list.
If you add more things to the list, I'll check if I have those :)
And Mark's added list:
Automatic washing machine (twin tub this way)
Tumble drier
Dishwasher
Answerphone
Sky box & Virgin TV/Tivo
PS3 & Xbox 360 (PS2 is as far as i went)
Marco.
Rare Bird
20-10-2011, 12:20
Out of all those
I have a Mobile but it's been stuck in the Kitchen drawer for yonks.Used it at the bake off before last, that's the last time that was used.
Digital camera yes.
portable FLAC player used for walking back & fro to work
Television Yes if it wernt for the wife their would be no telly in our house
& of course a PC as i'm aparently forced into using one,
Out of all those
I have a Mobile but it's been stuck in the Kitchen drawer for yonks.Used it at the bake off before last, that's the last time that was used.
Digital camera yes.
portable FLAC player used for walking back & fro to work
Television Yes if it wernt for the wife their would be no telly in our house
& of course a PC as i'm aparently forced into using one,
What about an automatic washing machine, mate, or does Cheryl wash all your skid-marked pants by hand? :eyebrows:
Marco.
Rare Bird
20-10-2011, 12:33
I wouldnt call a washing machine a gadget really, neither do i call the stereo a gadget since it's from the Ark :eyebrows:
What, no electric screwdriver/drill either Andre? :stalks:
I do have an automatic washing machine. I also have a washing board given to me by my mother-in-law. Maybe she was trying to tell me something all those years ago :lol: Handy thing for short runs though ;) Imagine trying to do a family wash with one of those and a tub of hot water :eek:
I completely overlooked the games consoles that Mark mentions which i don't have. PC gaming rulez.
Rare Bird
20-10-2011, 12:44
John i think you taking the word GADGET out of perspective a bit. You find me something else that will drill a perfect hole in a wall other than an electric drill! Not a gadget mate it's a necessary unless it's one of those people bone idle with more money than sence & would prefer to pay someone to do the job.
However i can see this thread getting stupidly out of hand before long..
Dinner time, im sorry to say im gonna be using a gadget Knife & fork for it ;)
I was thinking more of the electric screwdriver Andre. Personally I could quite happily strangle many of the tradesmen who use these. I cant count the number of times I've had to drill out screw because the wanker using the powered driver didn't understand the meaning of torque setting and stripped the head of the screw :steam:
Oh, arr, its meant to be a silly thread Andre. You know mate, a bit of fun (?) ;)
List additions.
Electric sewing machine. I’ve got an old manual Singer and yes I can use it….just about.
Electric toothbrush.
Slow cooker. I used to have one of these but I haven’t replaced it.
Electric razor. Until a few years ago I used a cut throat and I still maintain they give a better shave than any electric or compact razor. I would probably still use it if I hadn’t lost the strop. I use a safety razor these days.
Carpet cleaner/washer. I’ve never understood this one. How often do people wash an entire carpet! Isn’t it more cost effective to get a specialist in?
Electric foot/air pump.
Personal organisor. I don’t know if these gadgets are still around but there was a time lots of people pulled one out of their pocket when you asked if they could come round.
Rare Bird
20-10-2011, 13:04
Sorry i have no sence of humour ;)
Well then no i don't have a battery screwdriver, (what on earth for i ask!). I'm very old fashioned, unless i really really have to use some gadget i wont.
I wouldnt call a washing machine a gadget really, neither do i call the stereo a gadget since it's from the Ark :eyebrows:
Dude, in the early 1970s, an automatic washing machine was defo considered as a gadget! ;)
:eyebrows:
Marco.
List additions.
Electric sewing machine. I’ve got an old manual Singer and yes I can use it….just about.
Electric toothbrush.
Slow cooker. I used to have one of these but I haven’t replaced it.
Electric razor. Until a few years ago I used a cut throat and I still maintain they give a better shave than any electric or compact razor. I would probably still use it if I hadn’t lost the strop. I use a safety razor these days.
Carpet cleaner/washer. I’ve never understood this one. How often do people wash an entire carpet! Isn’t it more cost effective to get a specialist in?
Electric foot/air pump.
Personal organisor.
My wife, who has a degree in fashion and textiles (as well as IT), likes to use her Bernina, when making some nice curtains :)
Marco.
My wife, who has a degree in fashion and textiles (as well as IT), likes to use her Bernina, when making some nice curtains :)
Marco.
Oh, any chance of some lessons? It takes me a couple of goes to get the thread on the bloody bobbin and the tension right :lol:
A couple more;
Water softener
Water filtration system
Satellite navigation
Oh, any chance of some lessons? It takes me a couple of goes to get the thread on the bloody bobbin and the tension right...
Sure, you can pop up next time when she's making me a frock! :lol: :eyebrows:
A couple more;
Water softener
Water filtration system
Satellite navigation
A dinnae huv any of that.
Marco.
What I find interesting about much of the technological gadgetry is a great deal of it isn’t really inventive as such, more innovation which uses electric power (mostly) to accomplish everyday tasks we’ve managed to do manually for years.
The advocates may argue that this way is quicker or more convenient but is there any truth in this?
Some of the innovations don’t manage to accomplish the task as well as the manual method imo, take shaving and screw driving as a couple of examples; they certainly don’t cost any less when the initial purchase and subsequent power costs are taken into account and I would argue, and have demonstrated on site a couple of times with the Yankee v the electric driver, that in the long run the manual method can do a better job in the same time. The manual method may however require a degree of skill, while any idiot can, and apparently do, use electric screwdrivers and electric shaver.
I’m not saying all technology is like this and for balance I would cite the washing machine as both inventive and innovative and the computer as inventive; there wasn’t a manually accomplished task it replaced broadly speaking.
For this thread I want to try to separate what I describe as “consumer orientated technology” from other kinds. My interest is the “stuff” we tend to accumulate based largely on some clever marketing and the desire to “shop” if that is what keeps us filling our homes and cluttering up our lives with such technology.
Anyway, once we’ve got all our time saving and convenience gadgetry what are we doing with the saved time, playing sports, indulge in hobbies, which incidentally often require further expense and associated gadgets. :eyebrows:
You have to let that wry grin spread across your face when your mate who drives 20 mins each way to work in city traffic then goes out and spends a few hundred quid on a home trainer when a bicycle would not only save him money and stress but also help to keep him fit.
So, is there any truth in Marco’s assertion that basically we are just susceptible little consumers getting repeatedly raped by the marketing from large corporations who just want to make profits?
Okay, apparently our economy depends on our seemingly insatiable desire for the next and best gadget but is this sustainable and is this the direction our society and economy should be going?
I can understand many wont want to even think about such issues; feck it, life is short and I’ve got the money. Fair enough, but perhaps we could improve the quality of our lives without much of this stuff (?)
Just a thought.
Excellent post, John! :clapclapclap:
Marco.
Rare Bird
20-10-2011, 16:42
I'm bored now John ;)
Awwww, I’m sorry to hear that Andre. :rolleyes:
Couldn’t you find any prog only threads or how to micron polish a 1970’s capacitor?
Still mate, it’s like I used to tell my kids, best learn to provide your own entertainment and not rely on others to do it for you.
Tell you what mate, pop around here. I’m about to go out dancing and I’m sure I can find a partner for you if you promise to smile once in while ;)
I do own a Black & Decker electric screwdriver (it was a gift) but I much prefer to use my decades old Stanley pump action screwdriver for putting up shelves and crap because it is far more effective. You can judge the torque very easily, it does the job quicker and I could drop it from the top of a tower block and it would probably suffer no ill effects. Try doing that with your Bosch :lolsign:
Things I don't have:
Sky or Virgin ~ Total and utter waste of money in my opinion, besides I'm a huge supporter of PSB.
Tablet Computer ~ I'm willing to consider one in the future to replace my ageing netbook but I'll burn in hell before I buy an iPad.
HD flat panel TV ~ Like Marco I'm very happy with my 100mhz, 28" Sony Trinitron widescreen CRT TV with built in Freeview thanks very much. Bought it secondhand, complete with original stand, for 60 squid to replace a dead Bush TV a couple of years ago and it is like new. Picture and colour quality are excellent btw. Incidentally, I watch Sony on my laptop, the TV is for the rest of the household and the kids use it for their Wii.
NAS Device ~ Although I would if I understood how to set one up. I play all my digital files off my desktop PC through the Caiman.
PS3/XBOX 360 ~ I prefer to game on my PC
Coffee Maker ~ Why? I have hands, a kettle and a cafetiere... :rolleyes:
Rare Bird
20-10-2011, 23:17
Awwww, I’m sorry to hear that Andre. :rolleyes:
Couldn’t you find any prog only threads or how to micron polish a 1970’s capacitor?
Still mate, it’s like I used to tell my kids, best learn to provide your own entertainment and not rely on others to do it for you.
Tell you what mate, pop around here. I’m about to go out dancing and I’m sure I can find a partner for you if you promise to smile once in while ;)
:rolleyes:
This is a strange thread; blokes on a computer-based forum dedicated to mucking about boxes of electronics and such, boasting about how few gadgets they have.
Anyhow, gadgets I would not be without:
Dishwasher
Laptop
Digital camera
Walkman
I don't have any mobile phones, gameboys, wiis or suchlike.
I got a dishwasher 10 years ago but have never got round to plumbing it in. Does that count?
I got a dishwasher 10 years ago but have never got round to plumbing it in. Does that count?
You sound even lazier than me; at least I had the energy to phone a plumber!
You sound even lazier than me; at least I had the energy to phone a plumber!
Not too lazy to wash up by hand though!
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.