Episode 194: Something Old, Something New

March 8, 2022

Central Thesis

New technology is not inherently better, and the intentional obsolescence or crippled functionality of new devices by monopolistic corporations prioritize profit-driven surveillance over user needs, privacy, and the intrinsic value of usability.

Key Arguments

• New Should Equal or Exceed Old Functionality: Any new technology should, at a minimum, perform all the functions of the older technology it replaces. Otherwise, there is no compelling reason to upgrade or purchase the new item.
• Screen Time is Dangerous: Jim argues that screens are "evil" when operating heavy equipment, and their allure leads to distracted driving. He advocates for mandatory phone distraction tests in driver's education.
• Loss of Control Over Media is the Goal: The host details a frustrating journey of technology failures that culminate in the inability to simply drag and drop podcast files onto his MP3 player. He believes this is intentional and designed to force users into a "sync" system that allows the Fruities to monitor and monetize listening habits.
• Surveillance Capitalism Drives Design: The shift away from user-friendly features like simple file transfer and chronological playback is a deliberate move by tech companies to extract "behavioral surplus" through constant monitoring. If tech corporations cannot monitor user activity, they cannot monetize user activity through advertising.
• Values Embodied in Technology: Technology embodies the values of its designers, and the presenter suggests that the values of corporations and users are diverging. Those who cannot accept corporate surveillance need to use old kit to create a workaround or fix to live true to their values.

Notable Passages

• "Seriously! American democracy has always been at war against monopoly power. Their ability to dictate terms, call the shots, upend intelligence, hire sectors, inspire fear, represent the powers of a private government. Our founders would not bow before a king, nor should we bow before the emperors of the online economy."
• "So bottom line, the sync system, sucks ass. Oh, and since it no longer allows me to order shows from oldest to newest, I'm stuck with one of the most unusable playback systems I have ever encountered."
• "In today's surveillance technology economy, what cannot be monitored cannot be monetized. Therefore, no new old player."
• "To sum up, I have something old, a refurbished MP3 player that should last me another 13 years. I also have something new, a powerful computer, which, for me, has been hobbled, has had its functionality broken by, I suspect, a company attitude that values after-sale revenues over the wants and needs and privacy of those forced to use it."

Rhetorical Approach

The host uses a combination of personal anecdote, technical deconstruction, and historical context to argue that new technology is not inherently progressive or beneficial. He employs sarcastic humor and emphatic language to convey his frustration with corporate control and the erosion of user agency. The long, detailed account of his struggles with Fruity products serves as a concrete example of the broader philosophical point.

Connections

• References previous episodes 100 and 130.
• References John Michael Greer's The Long Descent as a theoretical framework for understanding technology.
• References Shoshana Zuboff's "behavioral surplus."
• References podcast Sea Realm and its host KMO.
• Mentions KMFDM and Representative David Cicilline.