General Discussion

Shermann

(8,496 posts) Sun Aug 25, 2024, 04:20 PM Aug 25

What's the most disappointing technology of the 21st century so far? [View all]

Some of these had roots in the 20th century but have still failed to grow to fruition. I listed the top ten and AI is good enough to stay off the list (barely).

102 votes, 10 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	3D Television: Neither you nor your friends have one. These still require special glasses for when you aren't just watching the news.
	8 (8%)
	Blockchain: Overhyped currency which consumes a ton of energy solving arbitrary puzzles which hasn't exactly translated to a free Libertarian utopia.
	26 (25%)
	Internet of Things: Do we really need to connect our toasters to the internet?
	12 (12%)
	Virtual Reality: This looks great on paper but mostly just gives you a headache.
	2 (2%)
	Augmented Reality: This is somehow an even crappier version of Virtual Reality.
	0 (0%)
	Autonomous Vehicles: Neither you nor your friends have ridden in one. As Pei Mei once said, "Is it your wish to die?"
	40 (39%)
	Batteries: These haven't kept up with our appetites for mobile devices and electric vehicles, despite what YouTube says. Also, they catch fire sometimes.
	9 (9%)
	Quantum Computing: It doesn't look like you can possibly read your mail or search for a recipe with one of these complicated gadgets. Crappiest computers ever?
	1 (1%)
	3D Printing: Star Trek fans waiting for their own personal replicators will need to wait a while longer.
	3 (3%)
	Hoverboards: No explanation necessary.
	1 (1%)
	10 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
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70 replies

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Highlight:

What's the most disappointing technology of the 21st century so far? [View all] Shermann Aug 25 OP

Internet maveric Aug 25 #1

Back in the late 80's in an academic setting, it was all that. Shermann Aug 25 #4

There's plenty of good on the internet. Unfortunately, some bad as well. Most depends on How you Use it... electric_blue68 Aug 25 #18

It was the same with television. Disaffected Aug 25 #14

Anybody who expected that was living in denial Zoomie1986 Aug 26 #30

I can't imagine being without DU Kaleva Aug 26 #34

A word about driverless vehicles. Demobrat Aug 25 #2

A lot of this is perception Shermann Aug 25 #7

AI. Accompanied by, and the possible benefits of overwhelmed by, Artificial Stupidity. nt eppur_se_muova Aug 25 #3

The hype cycle is going to hit AI hard Shermann Aug 25 #5

Artificial stupidity gets my vote iemanja Aug 26 #26

Yes! This! bobalew Aug 26 #27

Generative AI, which is the most harmful tech in recent decades, with only a few areas where it's highplainsdem Aug 26 #35

I forgot about the energy demand/enviro cost. That for crypto too -- horror stories from neighbors of crypto farms. eppur_se_muova Aug 26 #49

Thanks for the reply - and for the reminder of what an environmental nightmare crypto is as well. highplainsdem Aug 26 #50

I actually use Copilot a lot these days. Shermann Aug 26 #59

Even decades after the greatest invention of all-time it's a hard act to follow. The impact on humanity can't easily brewens Aug 25 #6

I can't see setting up the coffee pot the night before when I can procrastinate and make it in the morning! nt Shermann Aug 25 #10

But your new coffee maker will be connected to the internet where artificial stupidity will program it. Angleae Aug 26 #51

The Galaxy deflector ray. GreenWave Aug 25 #8

Humans? Getting dumber and less aware by the day dutch777 Aug 25 #9

I beg to differ on 3D tvs... bcool Aug 25 #11

I'd say those are in the hype cycle Phase 3: Trough of Disillusionment Shermann Aug 25 #17

I have one also and love Avatar on it Tree Lady Aug 25 #21

flying car that folds into a briefcase when you arrive at your destination. aka the jetsons. AllaN01Bear Aug 25 #12

No flying cars PERIOD! GoCubsGo Aug 26 #36

indeed. AllaN01Bear Aug 26 #37

Well, they're hyping these so-called flying cars Xavier Breath Aug 26 #40

You forgot to include the Segway! robbob Aug 25 #13

Yeah, the Segway was disappointing Shermann Aug 25 #15

Standing is much, much harder on your joints than walking! LeftInTX Aug 26 #28

You should change it to crypto currency. Blockchain's used in many other applications that have nothing to do w/ crypto. Celerity Aug 25 #16

I love autonomous vehicles Polybius Aug 25 #19

Social media NameAlreadyTaken Aug 25 #20

the fucking algorithms. uncle ray Aug 26 #22

AI ........ Artificial intelligence Trueblue1968 Aug 26 #23

I watched a Waymo parking flamingdem Aug 26 #24

A ship named after the father of a friend of ours DFW Aug 26 #25

The problem was the shipbuilders design haele Aug 26 #39

Trust the Bath Iron Works to cut corners like that. DFW Aug 26 #42

I met the Admiral of whom you speak. haele Aug 26 #46

That he would have. DFW Aug 26 #48

it's really a late 20th C invention, but I think anonymous posting on the internet is a bad move Bucky Aug 26 #29

For the first time I have a fridge that makes ice cubes by itself. betsuni Aug 26 #31

I teach writing for a living. Straw Man Aug 26 #32

Agree completely. See my reply 35. I read a lot of teachers' posts on Twitter, and the only ones highplainsdem Aug 26 #38

Semi-retired writing prof here too. AI is just another tool JCMach1 Aug 26 #47

Cures for things like ALS. So far disappointing. JanMichael Aug 26 #33

Has to be autonomous vehicles Renew Deal Aug 26 #41

I am not a doom and gloomer...it is still a pretty great world with much to see and do. Demsrule86 Aug 26 #43

That we're still using rockets to get into space and there are no hologram phones. BannonsLiver Aug 26 #44

Cell phones orthoclad Aug 26 #45

What? You don't like the 21st century version of the zombie apocalypse? Angleae Aug 26 #53

Shambling, shambling along orthoclad Aug 26 #65

Woohoo! I get to talk to the person I'd like to be with instead of the person I'm actually with at the moment! nt Shermann Aug 26 #58

While driving an SUV orthoclad Aug 26 #66

Yeah, that distant voice is SO much more important orthoclad Aug 27 #67

Self driving vehicles... Historic NY Aug 26 #52

Streaming tv JackSabbath Aug 26 #54

Streaming. On demand TV & movies with the click of a button. CrispyQ Aug 26 #55

Roku does a pretty good job of standardizing the controls across applications. Shermann Aug 26 #57

Clamshell packaging Ping Tung Aug 26 #56

Well at least you can recycle...err...never mind. Shermann Aug 26 #64

I am loving my new self driving car. Jk23 Aug 26 #60

Those are really ADAS (advanced driver-assistance system) features and not autonomous driving features. nt Shermann Aug 26 #61

EVs, Solar. Mosby Aug 26 #62

Fusion energy (which I failed to list) is WAY more disappointing than solar! nt Shermann Aug 26 #63

"Internet of things" is just a way for marketers to ... surrealAmerican Aug 27 #68

I have an IoT pool pump Shermann Aug 27 #69

Vote supression. eppur_se_muova Oct 7 #70