I know, the post tile is rather bait like, however I wanted to stir discussion amongst you.

As you know I’m a mod of the Linux for Leftists community so it might be quite counter-intuitive that someone knowledgeable on computers and Linux would have an anti-technological position. The thing is, I do not have such a position, that would be anti-Marxist and most importantly: idiotic.

The problems I have with technology stem from capitalism, however that doesn’t change the fact I enjoy using more “outdated” technological solutions to my problems in life and “kkkrapital$m sukkks” is not the discussion I’d like to foster today. I believe as individuals and society we are over reliant on unnecessarily advanced technology and should seek alternatives to distance ourselves from this.

Let me ask you: “How reliant in your day to day life are you on your smartphone?”

The question is more in the likes of, how many of your previous devices or items have been replaced by it? For example a watch, a timer, an alarm, a calculator, a payment method, a music player, a news reader, a video device and more.

It’s an everything machine, and when it fails you that’s when you essentially lose access to everything. Even if I buy a ticket online, you bet I’m printing it out just for that added feeling of security. I’ve always been the type of person that likes my devices to be very redundant, so that when one fails me I can either easily replace or repair it. I also like for my devices to be reliant and durable as well as well made for the purpose they are meant to serve.

I have what I would like to call a functionally minimalist mindset. That’s why I have problems with computers and smartphones as they are not only everything machines for most, they are slowly getting worse for the mainstream and a revolution isn’t coming soon.

So what do I do? Lifestylism lmao

Something that helps me not only enforce a reliability in my life, but also ground it in the real world as with every future year we are more and more pushed into the digital. Unfortunately capitalism has made the digital not a liberating power, but a force of alienation and control. Thus I try to distance myself very much from social media, and I’ve been doing it quite well. Since 2013 or 2014 as quite a young idiot I made a smart decision. “Social media sucks”, and I’ve never managed to get into Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and the like.

Only recently have I’ve gotten into any kind of social media, like Reddit or now Lemmygrad. But that is because of you my lovely comrades. You made the places worth registering to. Thank you.

But returning, I also have a certain love for the material. Something I can touch, inspect, smell and admire for it’s craftsmanship. I own several purely mechanical machines that have been well replaced by the digital. I also have old digital machines that are also what I like to call fictionally minimalist. Like a Casio F-91W watch or a TI-82 graphic calculator. (Solid things, they don’t make now 'em like they used to.) An addiator, a mechanical wind-up watch (I still prefer my Casio F-91W) and get this. Six typewriters. I have somewhat of addiction to them.

I have to say, all of these have made my life not just more cluttered. But more “real”. I can’t describe it, but interacting with them feels more authentic than interacting with a smartphone or even a laptop. There is just something about them that allows me not just distraction free work, but a focused mindset on task I’ve set in front of me. They make my life weirdly enough, easier.

I’ve found myself gravitating more and more to these low tech solutions, not just because of interest of curiosity. But real genuine desire to actually use them on a day to day basis.

Do you find yourself having similar experiences when it comes to technology? That it has been more of a hindrance than a help to whatever you are trying to do?

(Excuse me if the post lacks structure or sense. I’ve yet to get good at proper writing, and not just streams of thoughts.)

EDIT: It seems this post garnered a few downvotes. Please, leave a comment! Let the struggle session begin!

  • ImOnADiet [he/him]@lemmygrad.ml
    81·
    1 year ago

    good god no I couldn’t do this, I’m already extremely disorganized and can’t find my phone wallet or keys for hours in my room at times, can’t imagine how much worse it would be if I had to keep up a bunch of other stuff

    • Łumało [he/him]@lemmygrad.mlOPEnglish
      81·
      1 year ago

      Well sinxe your keys, wallet and phone are something that constantly moves and changes position with you, that might be the problem.

      Let’s take a few examples, an alarm clock, a radio and a fountain pen.

      An alarm clock is something that would have a dedicated place, most likely right next to your bed. Something you rarely, if even, move. Not really a problem I suppose.

      A radio is an item of semi movement, you take it places but generally it’s rather big to get easily lost or extremely easily like a pair of keys. At most you might forget to take it. The most modern counterpart to it could be a JBL speaker.

      A fountain pen is one most similar to your keys, small, probably moved to many places, and around your home, a lot if you are a student or just prefer pen and paper. Easiest to lose most likely and to forget about.

      So as you see, the organization added to manage really depends on the items you have or decide to incorporate into your life. Very much you should take into account how stationery it would be and how, or if, you would lose it.