Pocket 386

[Unknown_K]

I always found it odd that high schools will teach advanced subjects most people will never use, like chemistry. But not "survival skills" like changing a tire, plumbing and electrical repairs, etc.

It's because people have no clue what they are good at or what they find interesting at that age so they hit them with a lot of things that might be useful down the road. If you want to get into college for a science degree, you might as well take chemistry. I am not a doctor, but biology was interesting.

The first survival skill they need to still teach in high school is about compound interest and how to avoid debt. For people who were not going to college they had a career center that was for blue collar skills the last 2 years of HS.

 

[Plasma]

I had a younger coworker ask me how to replace wiper blades. He has a master's degree. We have entire generations now that can't do basic things because they took a bunch of college prep classes that "might be useful" instead of being taught things that "will be useful."

 

[Svenska]

I had a younger coworker ask me how to replace wiper blades.

Well, I never had to do that myself either. I probably could, don't know. They last long enough between (mandatory) inspections, and having them replaced then (not always) is convenient enough.

Some people consider house repair knowledge essential. I don't own a house and am not allowed to touch my apartment anyway. I've had teachers who considered it essential to know square roots and logarithms by heart. Reality ensures that I have a phone on me - it can do better.

Sure, I could learn all the basic things people may expect, and I do so as-needed. But most of the time, there is no need. Driving a modern car requires little knowledge in repairing it - they have become reliable enough and regulations prevent me from doing much myself. Modern computers are somewhat similar in that regard as well - regular PCs will maintain itself and actively discourages tempering with those mechanisms, mobile devices even more so.

 

[czunit]

Well if they told kids about compound debt then banks would not make money. Likewise all those extra "features" you buy because it's on credit will be seen for how expensive they really are. Can't have that.

Technology note so this is not a total junk post: Microsoft wants to sell me "AI" security services for only $4.00 an hour! Which hides the fact that since it's on 24*7 it's over 35k a year. With a 3 year commit. But trying to hide costs is a classic sales move.

 

[Plasma]

Well, I never had to do that myself either. I probably could, don't know. They last long enough between (mandatory) inspections, and having them replaced then (not always) is convenient enough.

Some people consider house repair knowledge essential. I don't own a house and am not allowed to touch my apartment anyway. I've had teachers who considered it essential to know square roots and logarithms by heart. Reality ensures that I have a phone on me - it can do better.

Sure, I could learn all the basic things people may expect, and I do so as-needed. But most of the time, there is no need. Driving a modern car requires little knowledge in repairing it - they have become reliable enough and regulations prevent me from doing much myself. Modern computers are somewhat similar in that regard as well - regular PCs will maintain itself and actively discourages tempering with those mechanisms, mobile devices even more so.

I suppose it's difficult to understand the benefits of self-sufficiency if you live in a nanny state. For starters, there are no vehicle inspections here, nor regulations for repairing your own vehicle.

 

[Maikudou]

No one knows everything, it’s ok as long as people are capable of learning

 

[VERAULT]

I had a younger coworker ask me how to replace wiper blades. He has a master's degree. We have entire generations now that can't do basic things because they took a bunch of college prep classes that "might be useful" instead of being taught things that "will be useful."

Thank you. Thats the point I was trying to make. That sums it up perfectly.

And as far as "no one knows everything". A true statement indeed. But I never lost the desire to learn new things. I have a plethora of hobbies outside of vintage computers. Small engine repair, Fishing, wine Making, food preservation/canning, Cooking, The list goes on and on. I love to learn how to do things. Anything that can stop me from relying on someone else especially.

No one taught me how to replace wiper blades. I figured it out as I didn't want to pay 6 times the value of the blades to some high school dropout. Saving Money was and is paramount.

Sad today that young guys are on par with young girls for not being able to change a tire. Do an oil change, replace wipers or auto-bulbs, or do their own brakes. All of which cost very, very little (sans changing a tire, as that costs nothing).

We can throw a ton of other useful things onto the list.. things that were taught in High School years ago but no longer: Driving, Cooking, Wood working, automotive. Finances (even many adults dont know how to do thier own taxes today).
There is nothing to be gained from sheer ignorance. The reason its rampant now is some folks lined up all their ducks in a row so they could start making money on all these things people "used to do"... Now over time they lost the ability to do them. So we pay out the nose for "convenience". But it isn't that. Even the tremendous money we pay for say automotive work isn't any good. I hear horror stories all the times of botches mechanic work. I remember when I had a dealer torque an oil pan bolt on so tight it tore the threads out of the aluminum pan and the car couldn't hold oil; I had to pay to have it towed in.

 

[Maikudou]

This is all very true as true is the fact there are plenty young people who are interested in doing everything and very many older people who do not and never did. They had to because of technology of the day, but gladly wouldn’t.

 

[VERAULT]

This is all very true as true is the fact there are plenty young people who are interested in doing everything and very many older people who do not and never did. They had to because of technology of the day, but gladly wouldn’t.

Thats a mouthful, But I get the gist of it. Yeah I know, there are always exceptions to the rule. But I dont think it aluminum hat thinking when the news paper keeps mentioning it.

 

[hunterjwizzard]

Personally I think messing around with crummy computers as a young person taught me valuable problem solving and troubleshooting skills which translate into literally every other facet of my life. I learned how to break down problems and locate root cause, and that became so second nature to me that its made every problem I encounter easier to handle.

 

[Zare]

IDK, generations always say bad stuff about those succeeding them.

When I studied computer science there was only one subject in one semester out-of-field, called basic economics. Roughly, out of 40-ish subjects to complete, 15 were optional picks. For instance I opted not to go to Javas, ASPs and stuff like that and go to something I deem useful instead such as hardware architecture classes.

Then we switched to Bologna process schooling. Now aspiring computer scientists can go to any subject in any school under the university. In old system, you had to pick those options, and if you were a slacker, you'd pick web development, graphics design, the easiest stuff that was available. Now you don't even need to do that, just pick a philosophy subject or something from maritime sciences or forestry.

I suppose it's difficult to understand the benefits of self-sufficiency if you live in a nanny state. For starters, there are no vehicle inspections here, nor regulations for repairing your own vehicle.

Who is actually inspecting the exhaust gases of your vehicle or the readiness of your brakes?

It's not a nanny state but a regulated environment. For instance Croatia, we have quite a number of death on the roads and it's a primary way to die for Croats aside of natural causes.

Sorry, but as freedom loving as I am, I want even higher regulation. I take a corner around the street on my bike and I get blinded by the "new" lighting of "new" cars e.g. rays of death coming from 1 meter high SUV front.

If I may ask you what are the maritime regulations in Conneticut, can a guard vessel stop you, board you, inspect, etc.?

 

[VERAULT]

If I may ask you what are the maritime regulations in Conneticut, can a guard vessel stop you, board you, inspect, etc.?

Yes of course. Harbor patrol or the Coast Guard. Mostly Harbor Patrol to see if you have a valid Boating License... And to ensure your "safety checks" are all up to par.

Quite honestly harsher regulations do not equate to safer practices. We will in the time of constant corruption. The name of the game is greasing the palm of the local institution to get by..... Its a long standing "tradition". Connecticut has been notorious for corruption in the past 40 years with past governors and many mayors going to prison. We have very high taxes, a very high cost of living, Trees, and corrupt local government.... thats what my state offers.

 

[hunterjwizzard]

If I may ask you what are the maritime regulations in Conneticut, can a guard vessel stop you, board you, inspect, etc.?

Now the maritime regulations in Nevada, those are a little different....

(The joke here is Nevada is a land-locked desert)

 

[Plasma]

IDK, generations always say bad stuff about those succeeding them.

I am not blaming the students but rather our education system. Most of them did what was "recommended" by schools. For the past couple decades there was a big push for college/university. Just get a degree and everything will be great!
Well now many of them have useless degrees (non STEM), work low-paying jobs because there is no demand for their degree, have massive student loan debt, and are lacking real world skills.

Who is actually inspecting the exhaust gases of your vehicle or the readiness of your brakes?

Why does the government need to inspect my property? My vehicle passed the regulations when it was manufactured. It's now my responsibility to maintain it. When the brakes are wearing out, I can feel it. When the exhaust is leaking, I can hear it. I don't need anyone to hold my hand.

It's not a nanny state but a regulated environment. For instance Croatia, we have quite a number of death on the roads and it's a primary way to die for Croats aside of natural causes.

Nearly all traffic fatalities are caused by driver error. To reduce deaths, it would make more sense to require additional driver tests rather than vehicle inspections.

Sorry, but as freedom loving as I am, I want even higher regulation. I take a corner around the street on my bike and I get blinded by the "new" lighting of "new" cars e.g. rays of death coming from 1 meter high SUV front.

I would put manufacturing regulations in a different category than regulations on personal property. Which is another can of worms, because it can be difficult to ensure product safety if people lack common sense.

 

[Maikudou]

They do actually force you to get "smog-check" in California each couple years after some years when the car is no longer new. But no brakes or anything. You must have lights in the night, highway patrol might fine you if you don't but no one check them for you, I think its a reasonable compromize. Then you had to wait for some time and you vehicle become "vintage" and you're free to exhaust whatever you want, no smog check. Which I find BS, honestly.

But I do like this system more than in my previous country when you must every year test all systems, and must show a particular kind of first-aid kit, fire extinguisher and emergency stop triangle. People just factor it as an expense because it almost imposible to pass everything unless the car is brand new, especially as money-motivated person not checking it but searches for faults he can extort you for.

 

[Eudimorphodon]

Why does the government need to inspect my property? My vehicle passed the regulations when it was manufactured. It's now my responsibility to maintain it. When the brakes are wearing out, I can feel it. When the exhaust is leaking, I can hear it. I don't need anyone to hold my hand.

Road safety inspections and periodic emission control testing are things because the condition of your car doesn't just matter to you, it affects the safety and quality of life of everyone sharing the road with you. Even Ronald Reagan was sold on the wisdom of the old Russian proverb "Trust, but Verify". You might think you're solely capable of maintaining your vehicle in perfect order such that it's not a hazard to everyone else, and maybe you are. But a lot of people aren't, and, well, if you're that good at it what's the harm of the occasional pop quiz to prove it?

Unless you live on your own private planet the Tragedy of the Commons is a thing, and some level of regulation is necessary for the survival and success of this whole human enterprise.

IDK, generations always say bad stuff about those succeeding them.

This meme seems particularly apropos considering one of the things being ranted about is Google's service suite.



Sorry, but technology's been moving pretty fast for the last 150 years, fast enough for there to be significant changes between generations as to what constitutes the vital core toolbox skills that someone needs to function at some basic level in society. In 1900 it was probably a pretty reasonable expectation that someone have at least basic working knowledge of how to drive a horse; by the 1930s, not so much. I'm sure there are some valid reasons to complain about what a loss that is, but, I dunno, personally I think it's pretty great that our cities aren't filled with heaping piles of manure and the occasional dead horse anymore.

(Also, just got to note here, the people who rant about this inevitably try to paint these situations as if everyone from their generation knew how to fix a car or whatever. Which, sorry, is not even remotely true. There are *plenty* of boomers that have no bloody idea what to do when their car doesn't work or how to do even the simplest home repair tasks like rewiring a lamp socket. Bad car mechanics that strip bolts and otherwise screw up your vehicle have been a thing for as long as cars have existed, there's absolutely nothing new under the sun.)

 

[hunterjwizzard]

View attachment 1278609

Yeah that's pretty much me yelling at Google.

 

[Maikudou]

> Trust by verify
I can assure after living several decades there, there is no "Trust", only "verify", most of the times "verify 3 times". It's just an old saying.
So I would very much not like for government to go that way, but sometimes there should be some balance, I agree.

 

[Maikudou]

So, should we all buy this 386 thingy?

 

[Plasma]

Road safety inspections and periodic emission control testing are things because the condition of your car doesn't just matter to you, it affects the safety and quality of life of everyone sharing the road with you. Even Ronald Reagan was sold on the wisdom of the old Russian proverb "Trust, but Verify". You might think you're solely capable of maintaining your vehicle in perfect order such that it's not a hazard to everyone else, and maybe you are. But a lot of people aren't, and, well, if you're that good at it what's the harm of the occasional pop quiz to prove it?

And yet, there are no vehicle inspections here and we are all fine. It turns out people can, in fact, maintain their own vehicles. Personal responsibility does not need to be delegated to the government.