#Technology #Innovation #TechDisasters
Have you ever come across a technological innovation that you thought would improve your life, only to find out that it actually made things worse? 🤔 Unfortunately, not all advancements in technology live up to their hype. In fact, some innovations end up causing more harm than good. In this article, we’ll explore some of the technological “innovations” that have turned out to be worse than their predecessors, and the reasons behind their failures.
##The Dark Side of Technological Innovation
###1. Social Media Algorithms
Remember the good old days when you could see all the posts from your friends and family on your social media feed in chronological order? Well, those days are long gone. Social media algorithms were supposed to show us more relevant content, but instead, they often prioritize paid advertisements over the updates from our loved ones. This has led to a decrease in genuine connections and an increase in mental health issues due to the pressure of comparing our lives to others.
###2. Touchscreen Keyboards
When smartphones first introduced touchscreen keyboards, many people were skeptical. However, as the technology improved, touchscreen keyboards seemed like a convenient alternative to physical keyboards. But let’s be real – typos and autocorrect fails are a daily struggle for most smartphone users. Many of us long for the days when physical buttons provided tactile feedback and a more accurate typing experience.
###3. GPS Navigation
GPS navigation has revolutionized the way we travel, but it’s not without its flaws. The trust we put in GPS systems has led to a decrease in our natural navigation skills, which are important for our brain’s development. Furthermore, GPS navigation can sometimes lead us to dead-ends, narrow streets, or even worse – into bodies of water.
##Why Do These Innovations Fail?
Now that we’ve discussed some of the technological “innovations” that haven’t lived up to their promises, let’s explore the reasons behind their failures.
###1. Lack of User Testing
One common issue with these failed innovations is the lack of rigorous user testing. Many companies rush to release new products or features without fully understanding how users will interact with them. As a result, these technologies often fall short of meeting our needs and expectations.
###2. Overreliance on Automation
In the pursuit of efficiency, many innovations rely heavily on automation. While this can be beneficial in some cases, it often leads to a lack of human oversight and intervention. As a result, the technology may not be able to adapt to unexpected situations or unique user needs.
###3. Ignoring User Feedback
Lastly, the failure of these innovations can often be attributed to companies ignoring user feedback. Instead of listening to their customers and making improvements based on their experiences, some tech companies have chosen to prioritize their own agendas and profit margins.
##Moving Forward
So, what can we learn from these technological “innovations” that have fallen short? First and foremost, it’s crucial for companies to prioritize user experience and feedback when developing new technologies. Additionally, a balanced approach that combines automation with human oversight is essential to ensuring that innovations meet the diverse needs of their users.
In conclusion, not all technological advancements turn out to be the game-changers we hoped for. Some innovations, such as social media algorithms, touchscreen keyboards, and GPS navigation, have actually made our lives more complicated. By learning from these failures and prioritizing user experience, the tech industry can work towards creating innovations that truly enhance our lives. What are your thoughts on technological innovations that have turned out to be worse than their predecessors? Let us know in the comments below. And remember, not all innovation is created equal. #TechDisasters #InnovationsGoneWrong #TechnologyFailures
The Russian T14 Armata tank.
At least the T90 can drive for a day without breaking down. Most of the time at least.
Phones and their ability to handle being dropped
Social media. Instead of bringing people closer, it divides us more.
Current video games. Back then I just had to buy the game, put it into PC, install and play. Nothing else needed. Now, you have to always install some bullshit launcher, make completly useless account and then play, and god help if my internet drops because singleplayer game needs to be always online for some reason.
I still remember when I bought GTA4 and had to install Rockstar social club and I just couldn’t understand what kind of bullshit is that and why I need it to play.
Quick-logins to pages using my email account on gmail or outlook or whatever is basically enabling yet another page to pillage what’s left of my data privacy and safety from hackers
Wireless charging phones. It forced phones to move from plastic backs that can be removed and replaced easily to ceramic backs that force you to buy a case. Not having replacable batteries is the biggest downgrade phones have ever had imo
Touchscreen controls in cars. So happy some manufacturers are doing away with them.
Inkjet printers
In terms of reliability modern software as a whole
Each new iteration of Gmail and Google Maps.
Also, anything IoT.
TVs
Smart fridges. I need my refrigerator to do two things: keep my frozen shit frozen, and keep my cold shit cold. I don’t need a screen, I don’t need a camera, and I sure as fuck don’t need it to have software. Another example of “just because you can doesn’t mean you should”.
Removing the headphone jack from phones.
Toilet roll dispenser…
Just give me the roll.
Every basic appliance or physical device that requires you to have an app and/or account to use.
Modern blade razors.
Safety Razors is so much better, even if you don’t take price into consideration
Office telephones. I used to just pick up and dial. Now I have to sign in twice, two factor verify, unplug and reboot, then email I. T.
But it still doesn’t work so I use my personal cell phone.
The fact cars have gotten bigger and bulkier has been a fucking disaster. You don’t need a fucking bus to do your shopping.
Washing machines. A million cycles for specific things. It’s like specific food settings on your oven that go unused. All I want are load size, delicate/normal, and water temp. Maybe an extra rinse. I had an old Maytag that never really failed for almost 30 years. Then an LG which didnt last 5. All of the plastic gears and HE mumbo jumbo just has more things to break. I do NOT want appliances that need firmware updates.
Many of the new home appliances, they rarely last long nowadays
Operating systems (Windows and Apple). It used to be the goal was to make computers more accessible. Now it seems like the goal is to make users dependent. It’s the reason younger people can spend their whole lives on screen without understanding how the devices work.
Also noticed performance wise my computers are so overloaded with BS features that it slows down my simulations for work.
Those damn ‘smart’ bidets. My husband insisted on ‘upgrading’ our basic bidet seats to these $300+ fancy-pants models with heated seats, power, lighting, etc.
Then the power goes out and guess what… they don’t work. At least the old ones still worked because it was all mechanical.
Teslas “ingenious” idea to remove the stalks from their steering wheels. And it’s not just a “yeah you’ll get used to it”. In some cases – like switching on the turning indicator in roundabouts – it’s now near impossible to get the task done!
Microsoft 365
Computer updates?
Is it just me, or does each one reduce functionality and increase invasiveness?
I haven’t used it in awhile, but Apple “upgraded” its podcast app and I couldn’t stand using it because it wouldn’t delete anything
Honda push button shifter for forward and rear transmission. I don’t know anyone in North America who thought this was a good idea. How many near misses have you had when you thought you were in forward gear and you accelerated backwards. Also, a 3 point turn become a nightmare as you try to look at oncoming traffic and fiddle with the buttons. I will never buy a Honda or Acura car because of this.
Destin from Smarter Every Day on Youtube ripped NASA a new one because of their super-complicated program to send people to the moon again. Apparently, they are somewhat ignoring a literal manual of what made Apollo successful.
Chat support. Holy crap.
Edit: Especially the ones now AI-enabled and you can’t figure out if you’re chatting with a bot just regurgitating what you see on the screen already, or if it’s a human being giving minimum effort.
Then “Damn, its cold in the car. Ill just turn this dial to put the heater on.”
Now “Damn, its cold in the car. Ill just touch this menu button, swipe through a bunch of shit, open up the heating controls and… oh fuck I crashed the car.
Minimalism is supposed to be nothing that you dont need. Its not supposed to be throw everything you have into one cupboard and close the door. I saw tesla have even now gotten rid of the gear and indicator stalks behind the wheel. If you wanna put the car into drive, you guessed it, its in the cupboard(centre screen). And the indicators are now on the wheel as touch controls.
The future is fucking stupid.
Software as a service or subscription-based services in general
Original Netflix and then streaming services.
The original Netflix innovated by making pretty all films available from a single source on demand as opposed to viewers needing to multiple sources to get the same selection (shops or video rental places like blockbuster which didn’t have a vast selection).
When everything went to streaming services, you ended up needing subscriptions to several different streaming services to get the same selection, and there’s still a few films you have to pay for on top of the subscription.
Pretty much any kind of automated paper towel dispenser in a public restroom
The Adobe Creative Cloud, I want to buy software once and then own it – not rent it in perpetuity.
Pretty much any windows OS after 7.
Disposable Plastics.
Companies lied about how easy it is to recycle plastic. Spoiler: it’s not.
Now we eat and drink micro and nano plastics all day everyday with little knowledge of the consequences.
Also that big plastic garbage patch.
Google search
New Outlook.
Apple removing the 3.5mm auxiliary jack from iPhones, and every single other phone manufacturer following suit.
How many functional pairs of 3.5mm wired headphones/earbuds are on the planet? One billion? Two billion? Rendered obsolete with smartphones because Apple decided to “innovate” so they could make their phones skinnier. Now if you want to continue using your old headphones you need to keep track of some overpriced, easily lost dongle. “Oh, just get a pair of wireless bluetooth headphones.” Oh, so now I have to go out and spend money on a new gadget that I’ll have to keep track of and keep charged, when I already have a perfectly fine pair of wired headphones, just because Apple decided to “innovate”? No thanks. I want my headphone jack back.
Subscription-services for everything. Video game, you don’t own it. Buy a movie on a service, you don’t own it. Buy a John Deere tractor … see where I’m going here?
Video streaming but now with adverts.
Chatbots. If I’m going to get dehumanised and misunderstood, I want another human to do it.
Can openers are terrible these days.
Modern phones suck for actually taking phone calls. The are barely audible unless on speaker
I have a smart thermostat that requires an app. Only one person can have the app. My ex has the app.
You cannot program it on the wall display for more than short periods of like 6 to 8 at a time. There’s no way to change the permanent settings.
My last thermostat had no such nonsense
Just about any “smart” appliance. Somehow my Maytag has worked for 30+ years without being smart.
New washer and dryers are junk
I have a 20 year old stacked unit in my rentals that works as good as the day I bought it.
You buy a new washer or dryer now and you can expect it to die in less than 5 years
Keurig and similar pod based coffee makers are just worse than a single cup filter (e.g. Melita, Hario v60). The cleanup is barely more, and the coffee from a filter is way better.
**Capacitive** touch screens in public places. With **resistive** screens you could press with anything, capacitive requires a finger press or a special stylus.
Gotta love touching this thing thousands of people touched today, especially at a pharmacy.