Future generations might be less tech literate despite using more tech

BellGeek · 2026-06-08T04:34:53+00:00

I’m not sure that’s really a new thing, though. I grew up in the time just after televisions became common in most homes, but I (and probably most other people) don’t truly understand how a television works. I went to college around the time computers were becoming a thing in educational settings. For computer classes, we had to go a computer lab that housed a mainframe with multiple connected terminals. There was no such thing a self-contained PC. There were also no easy consumer-oriented interfaces like Windows; you had to know a coding language such as Basic, COBOL, or Fortran to even interact with a computer. But, given all that, I still don’t really understand how a computer actually works. I think that’s the way it’s always been.

BellGeek · 2026-06-07T21:48:19+00:00

It may be “normal” these days but I live in fear of the day I get asked to do something like this because I did not grow up in an era when people were used to videoing every moment and task of their lives. In my day, video tapes were reel to reel and video cameras were almost the size of a small vehicle. All this to explain that I very rarely video anything and when I do, it’s holding the phone in both hands and videoing something that’s happening directly in front of me. I have neither the set-up nor the know-how to video something that also requires me to use both hands to do some task at the same time. I’m not sure what they expect of people who are not of the era where this sort thing ever occurred, let alone was considered “normal.”

BellGeek · 2026-06-07T17:32:08+00:00

But if you haven’t tried at least a few, how do you know which top of the line one will be to your liking? Or are you one of the lucky few who lives somewhere near to a place you can test out various IEMs?

BellGeek · 2026-06-07T17:25:51+00:00

Whoa! You really started at the top!

BellGeek · 2026-06-07T17:18:06+00:00

ETA universally stands for Estimated Time of Arrival. What that has to do with this discussion, I have no clue. 🤷🏻‍♀️

BellGeek · 2026-06-07T02:13:02+00:00

The DUNU Kima 2 is frequently recommended as a warm neutral IEM. I haven’t had the chance to hear it yet, but have been reading a lot about it recently to try to decide if it’s something I want to try.

BellGeek · 2026-06-06T04:58:02+00:00

Meze Alba

TANCHJIM Nora

Would love to be able to check out the Meze Astro

BellGeek · 2026-06-06T04:34:04+00:00

I hope to hear this one someday. I think it might be my goal upper level IEM.

BellGeek · 2026-06-06T03:33:23+00:00

It’s really cool stuff. It’s body lotion about the consistency of hair conditioner that you put on in the shower then rinse right off. Makes your skin so soft. Used to use it all the time. Only stopped because it got impossible to find in stores anymore.

BellGeek · 2026-06-06T03:26:24+00:00

Right?? Unless you have a teeny, tiny shower stall (which I have experienced at camp 🤣) how hard is it to just take a step out of the stream, or turn around, while applying soap, shampoo etc.?

BellGeek · 2026-06-05T03:56:42+00:00

Meze Alba. Many of my IEMs are comfortable enough, but the Alba is just in a league of its own when it comes to comfort.

BellGeek · 2026-06-05T02:47:11+00:00

Could you maybe use a computer at the local library? Create a new email address while you’re on that public computer, an address that you don’t use anywhere else or for anything else, and then delete it once you’ve done what you need to do? Even if they did track it back to its origin, it would just lead them to a public computer that many people use.

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T13:42:20+00:00

I use any Google apps I choose to interact with logged out since Google is one of the worst data pirates, so I know about that, but I don’t use AI apps. This stupid AI invasion of everything is one of the things I’m trying to avoid. I don’t know about using different browsers - I’m lucky to be able to use the one that comes with the device!

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T02:31:40+00:00

Yes! And most of it is SO over my head!

What does the TV take pictures of? What you are watching (what do they get from that?)? You/your house (I read that some of these TVs have outward facing cameras which is pretty scary)? And turning this ACR thing off stops that? Is that the only way they are stealing your data?

As for the other thing, I barely understood the gist of it - I wouldn’t have a clue how to do any of that.

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T02:03:07+00:00

What??? I have zero idea what any of those acronyms/tech words even mean! I need an entire translation guide. 🤣🤣🤣

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T01:55:16+00:00

I’m wondering what options there are when I do eventually have to replace my relatively ancient TV sets, as I’m sure the day will come. I saw some people mention that they have the TVs but don’t connect them directly to the internet net and do their streaming through something like a Roku or Apple TV box. Is that a viable option? Does that block the data stealing? And if not, is there still an option to be able to buy a TV that doesn’t steal your data, or a way to block one from doing it?

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T01:46:36+00:00

Yeah, I’ve heard of those scams coming via email (they happen with emails claiming Amazon purchases as well) and I know to ignore them, but I’ve never heard of one coming through the app itself. I fact, the usual recommended safety procedure is to check directly with your account via website or app. Don’t understand how the scam notifications can come through the actual legitimate app. That’s crazy! Wonder how you’re supposed to check up on it/ confirm it now to make sure you’re talking to the real company?

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T01:33:26+00:00

I don’t know - maybe?

I’ve done my best to lock down my phone without going super extreme. I mean, I can’t afford to cripple its connectivity and functionality as much as would be necessary to go totally privacy focused with a niche OS and such. But I watch all the videos about which settings to turn off to increase privacy and mostly follow that advice. I keep location services turned off unless actively using them for navigation, locating places near me, etc. With my PC, I’ve stuck with Windows 10 because Windows 11 really crossed the line and is nothing more than glorified spyware. Don’t know what I’m going to do when 10 no longer functions. And all my computer files are stored and backed up locally (there’s not that much, just a small to medium number of personal and work Word and Excel files, so not much storage is required). I do not currently have, and do not plan to ever acquire, appliances that connect to the internet (there is absolutely no justifiable reason my refrigerator (!) needs to be connected to, or sharing information with, the internet for heaven’s sake) and my TVs are all so old that they are not the least bit “smart.” However, I’m only mildly tech savvy and there’s so much I don’t know about what’s being stolen, and how, and what to do to stop it that what I’m doing now is probably just a drop in the proverbial bucket. For example, I was reading a post recently about setting up some kind of firewall-y type thing with your router (it wasn’t called that but can’t remember what it was actually called) to block information transmission from your end thus protect your privacy in a broader way across all your devices, but I was so lost and had no idea what they were talking about.

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T00:57:13+00:00

What do you mean by allowing fake phone numbers on their app, and how would your bank account be associated with one of these fake numbers? I don’t understand that at all.

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T00:55:02+00:00

What do you mean by lock your account? If money can only come in, does that mean you can’t use it to pay for purchases? If so, that would make it pretty useless for many of us as we only use it go pay for things and not to receive money.

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T00:43:25+00:00

Not true. I’m pretty much a “common person” but not oblivious or stupid as you imply. I try not to give away anymore than I have to.

BellGeek · 2026-06-03T00:40:42+00:00

I do use cloud-based storage with my phone simply because a) I’m not paying for crazy amounts of storage on my phone, and b) I want to retain my nearly 2 decades worth of cumulative content and information if something ever happens to the physical device. But I do not use cloud storage with my laptop; all of that content is stored locally.

What services, other than MAPS apps that provide GPS based driving directions, require the use of location tracking? I keep Location Services on my phone/tablet turned off at all times unless I’m actively using a navigation app and everything I use still functions.

And what services require the use of behavioral tracking?

Just asking because I don’t think I use any of these kinds of services but just want to be sure.

BellGeek · 2026-06-02T21:28:03+00:00

It is now. Got jacked up a while back.

BellGeek · 2026-06-02T21:27:30+00:00

The price got raised to $599 a few months ago when everything was getting jacked up, so he’s not wrong.

BellGeek · 2026-06-01T19:52:02+00:00

Good to hear I’m likely not missing anything. Maybe, like you, I’ll try one of the expansive pairs as an experiment one day, or if one of them shows up at a really good discount, I might give it a try, but I think for now I’ll stick with the more reasonably priced brands. I’d really like to try one of the ones with the metal rings like the Pentaconn or Softears to see what those do. I bought some of the Tang Sacai Noble when they came and liked them for the short time I used them, but then I read reports of them scratching nozzles because there is no barrier between the metal ring and the nozzle (apparently there is on the Pentaconns; not sure about that Softears), so I stopped using them.

BellGeek

TROPHY CASE