Ika Makimaki
I'm sure there's an untapped market for "Dumb" tech. Bonus points for repairable, dumb tech.
No AI assistants, no Internet connection, no DRM or login needed.
Just a toaster that makes toast, a TV that plays only what you put in it, with repair kits, spare parts available, easy to reach guts and accessible schematics, diagrams and instructions.
I know I'd buy no other brands if just one offered that to me.
Ika Makimaki
If the market absolutists were right, and capitalism really was about choice, competition and consumer satisfaction, you'd think there'd be at least a brand or two offering this kind of thing. Someone filling that niche.
But alas, it's not.
Capitalism is all about about profit maximisation, and now even control and surveillance.
We can't have nice things (if they don't make us slaves to the uber rich).
Rich Felker
@pezmico The ideal manufacturing outcome is that all things come from a repo like thingiverse. Not that they need to be 3D printed, but where every single component is something with an immutable design history where you can always determine how to make a part matching the particular thing you have and there's always someone local with the capability to make it for a reasonable price on demand. No more mass production of anything. And none of it tied to control of any authority.
Rich Felker
@Rycaut @Christo_459 @pezmico Go to Lowes and the cheapest tier fridges from legit manufacturers like Whirlpool don't have screens or wifi. It's the luxury market shit from LG and Samsung that do.
Shannon Clark
@Christo_459 @pezmico not true in the US. Where the majority of fridges and other appliances sold in major stores now have “smart” features and digital screens
Unless you go up market to the higher end brands where you can, in fact, buy far simpler machines without all the screens (but these cost 2-3x or much much more)
(Speaking from direct experience buying a new fridge a few years ago as well as seeing what friends and family could choose from in renovations this past year)
Christo. London, England
@pezmico
You can buy a toaster, washing machine , fridge freezer and cooker without them being 'smart'. Things like electric toothbrushes, televisions are a problem
Kim
@pezmico recently I have been getting recommendation requests from folks for dumb tech.
Tvs and phones have been on the tops of those lists.
Products that serve no one but you.
Also requests for old gear that was built before the "downfall of the internet".
Following on from that had a discussion with folks referencing dates to "BG", yes, thats right Before Google. Also with references dates "AG".
The debate was should be from google's creation or their abandoning of "don't be evil".
Rich Felker
@Rycaut @Christo_459 @pezmico For TVs there really is a problem. But for lots of these "big appliances" the problem is consumers who see themselves as part of (or aspirationally part of and temporarily embarrassed) a socioeconomic class who is "supposed to buy" something above the lowest price tier.
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