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> Has this been true for any technology, ever?

Yes?

Try abacus, slide rules or mechanical calculating machines vs electronic calculators.

Or ancient vs modern computers and software. They didn't even have "end-users" like we understand them now, every computer user was a specialist.

Programming.

Writing. Quill vs. ballpen, but also alphabets vs what you had to write before.

Photography, more than one big jump in usability. Film cameras, projectors/screens.

Transportation: From navigation to piloting aircraft or cars. Originally you had to be a part-time mechanic.

Many advanced (i.e. more complex than e.g. a hammer) tools in manufacturing or at home.



I would argue that for all of these there's still a skill element evolved.

If I give an accountant an electronic calculator and a problem to solve, they'll be more efficient than me

If I give someone who spent thousands of hours on a computer a task on it, they'll be able to do more than my parents

If I give someone that writes a lot a ballpen, their writing will be faster and more legible than someone like me who barely writes on paper.


Okay what we're saying is slightly different, you mean to reach a certain bar. I kind of agree to that

Through the marginal improvement is still pretty high to knowing how the tools work and how to use them more effectively, in a way that people that spend time with the tools will be _more_ effective


> there's still a skill element evolved.

Uhm... yes???

Obviously even a baby has "skills".

The point is the comparison between the levels of tech. Your accountant is constant, the tools they use is variable.

Interpreting the OPs point as "absolute zero skill" is against HN rules to interpret comments reasonably. You guys are trying to find the most stupid angle possible for the sake of an "argument". I hate this antagonistic debate culture so much.


And all of these still require skills today. Yes, electronic calculators too.



Are you really claiming that calculators require no skill?





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