Reading this comment I’m stumped as to what SF can learn from this. There’s a lesson in there somewhere but I have no idea what it could be.

Oh well.

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/fBoqMMPoU9k

I read through it and it’s amusing but along with the title being something I’d receive in email from a newsletter mailing list I’ve never subscribed to (hoping it has an unsubscribe link at the bottom), there’s nothing really of hacker curiosity here to keep me hooked. It’s shallow and appeals to some LCD “I did the thing with the stuff and the results will shock you because of how obvious they are now click here” mentality. Vainposting at its most average. The Mac restoration video was somewhat easier to sit through if only because the picture quality beats out a handful of other YT videos doing the exactly same thing as I’m holding back a jaw grating wince of watching someone butchering a board with poor knowledge of soldering iron practice, so YMMV? Back to hackaday for me I think. I’m not here to read submarine resumes of people applying to work at Linus Tech Tips.

This is just the evolution of clickbait titles. The only thing missing is a thumbnail of an AI generated raspberry pi cluster with a massive arrow pointing to it and the words "not worth it!!"

There also needs to be a Face Screaming in Fear Emoji plastered on the other side of it.

There was an article not too long ago about someone taking the old thumb wheel Logitech mouse and upgrading its electronics by adding a usb charging port and changing the switches used to make it easier to press. My perspective is heavily skewed in saying this but moving forward I foresee the ranks of people like that, as an entity unto themselves whether a minority or not irrelevant, upgrading and improving stock products for sake of durability, usability and serviceability. That last one in particular I’m reminded of things like relays and door locks in washing machines which are designed to last for approx. the duration of warranty, but it can extend to many other things also. While this hacker spirit has always been a thing, I suspect it’s been predominantly concentrated in developing countries where incomes are too thin to afford throwing things out, and so a repair may in fact fix a blemish of the stock product and extend life as if it is an upgrade unto itself. I think it will become more mainstream.

I thought we knew that these were vehicles by wannabe self-help authors to puff up their status for money. See for example “Grit” and “Deep Work” and other bullshit entries in a breathlessly hyped up genre of pseudoscience.

Larry the lawnmower Ellison?

The lawnmower in question is a big-time donor to the Israel state and the IDF. Regarding the IDF the lawnmover seems to have caught some feelings:

  Through all of the perilous times since Israel’s founding, we have called on the brave men and women of the IDF to defend our home. In my mind, there is no greater honor than supporting some of the bravest people in the world, and I thank Friends of the IDF for allowing us to celebrate and support these soldiers year after year. We should do all we can to show these heroic soldiers that they are not alone.

When Oracle opened a data-center in Jerusalem, his colleague and CEO Safra Katz had this to say :

  ...when you connect with Oracle you understand that we are committed to the U.S. and Israel. We are not flexible regarding our mission, and our commitment to Israel is second to none. This is a free world and I love my employees, and if they don't agree with our mission to support the State of Israel then maybe we aren't the right company for them. Larry (Ellison, co-founder of Oracle) and I are publicly committed to Israel and devote personal time to the country and no one should be surprised by that.

"our commitment to Israel is second to none". Does America fall under [none] here? Something to consider when looking at these acquisitions.

The most fascinating thing in this self-aware rant is that Reason is still around. I haven’t heard of their DAW in what must be 20 years.

n.b. They were shamelessly anticonsumer all along even in the early days. That’s why we just moved on from them and, to me anyway, they fell into obscurity.

He doesn't seem to realize they aren't American either.

I do, and it doesn't hurt the point in the article because the rant isn't directed at all the companies that are anti-consumer. It's directed at the bad example the US market sets for the entire world. It's the leading market, the richest country in the world.

In other words, if US companies didn't misbehave and US were still the largest market in the world, would other companies like Reason be bold enough to screw consumers?

Let's not be cynical here. What happens in the US ripples across the entire free world just because it's in a position of economical and political leadership that it carved for itself by means of force and influence since the great world wars.

> it doesn't hurt the point in the article

Your assertions do not make something true.

If you'd care to elaborate maybe I can clarify

This comment reminds me of the one time when a critic said to Arnold how he wouldn’t want to look like him.

Arnold replied back, “don’t worry, you never will”.

I love Arnold. And I readily agree that I will never be as smart or successful as Cory Doctorow. I'm comfortable just being me.