the old things worked way better than the new ones. If you have a 50 year old range or washing machine, do not get rid of it for one of the new ones that will break down soon as they are out of warranty! (had to buy another washer after less than 2 years)
I believe we're dealing with a sort of Lindy effect here. (I've written about this on Notes but cannot find it right now;)
Forty years ago, Soviet «Straume» coffee grinders we're considered utter trash, they often lasted just a month or two; but apparently some survive to this day, and now people are saying they last forever.
There surely is some survivorship bias at work. But for many things it's clear planned obsolescence is the only thing engineers have improved, e.g. many woodshop tools.
Oh, absolutely, Ingrid. My cook stove is 1950…working fine after 73 years. All my friends with new electronic stoves have to get them fixed constantly (the electronic ignitions made in China never last long). My clothes washer is a 1975 Maytag, made in Iowa. Cleans better and faster than the new one I used to have. On and on.
that is absolutely true ! and for meds - they hire actors, not sick people, to do the clips! if you take those meds, you won't turn from a zombie to a bright person in an hour or so, like they advertize. thank god I do not have to watch these things anymore, I am no longer going to people with TVs!
More modern than ever, unlike those ancient things (that still work just fine).
Rat, do you ever read Scott Locklin? I can't really categorise him. He's sui generis, with a fine curmudgeonly wit.
https://scottlocklin.wordpress.com/2024/01/08/unix-etl-tools-are-better-than-you/
I'm not actively following tech writing anymore but yes – grep is life.
the old things worked way better than the new ones. If you have a 50 year old range or washing machine, do not get rid of it for one of the new ones that will break down soon as they are out of warranty! (had to buy another washer after less than 2 years)
I believe we're dealing with a sort of Lindy effect here. (I've written about this on Notes but cannot find it right now;)
Forty years ago, Soviet «Straume» coffee grinders we're considered utter trash, they often lasted just a month or two; but apparently some survive to this day, and now people are saying they last forever.
There surely is some survivorship bias at work. But for many things it's clear planned obsolescence is the only thing engineers have improved, e.g. many woodshop tools.
Oh, absolutely, Ingrid. My cook stove is 1950…working fine after 73 years. All my friends with new electronic stoves have to get them fixed constantly (the electronic ignitions made in China never last long). My clothes washer is a 1975 Maytag, made in Iowa. Cleans better and faster than the new one I used to have. On and on.
Hold on to these mechanical machines. Even Amana stopped making them. The new ones do have electronics and cost more than double.
that is absolutely true ! and for meds - they hire actors, not sick people, to do the clips! if you take those meds, you won't turn from a zombie to a bright person in an hour or so, like they advertize. thank god I do not have to watch these things anymore, I am no longer going to people with TVs!
This is so spot-on.