[noir_lord]

The way he describes using his computer (dedicated PC, laptop in drawer, phone left on charge) is exactly how I use my tech and always have (as phones and laptops became more portable/available).

I'm in the weird position of been a programmer who likes computers and dislikes basically all other consumer technology (phones, laptops, consoles, most domestic smart devices etc).

I don't like interruptions, technology serves the user not the other way around and should always be pull not push (in my personal opinion).

[dijit]

You're not alone.

I think everything peaked in 2014, phones were firmly "second" devices and there was a lower expectation that people were glued to them constantly.

Laptops had crappy batteries and performed significantly worse for more money, so were only used by the dedicated. (or, the rich in the case of some software devs in SV/London).

Most people still had desktops and using computers was its own "thing", then you went away and lived your life.

Now we're terminally online, internet culture is the pervading culture of the west... I've never liked computers less than now... but I still love computers :(

[Terr_]

> phones were firmly "second" devices

There's a (claimed?) stereotype that Millennials don't buy things on their phones, even if they are already browsed to the "buy now" page they'll conduct the actual transaction (and perhaps comparison-shop) on a laptop or desktop.

It makes sense to me, so I'm not sure if it's actually a reverse-dig accusing younger generations of doing the opposite and being unthinking consumers.

Either way, it's interesting when you consider how some "social media" (i.e. Tiktok) may partly be about changing how people shop, rather than (just) profit from ads.

[0] https://www.economist.com/business/2024/11/28/tiktok-wants-w...

[dijit]

Some purchases are phone purchases, some are computer purchases.

Flight tickets? Computer purchase.

Tickets for a show? ... phone purchase.

A laptop? Computer purchase.

A pair of shoes or a book? ... phone purchase.

etc;

(I think it comes down to a combination of: how good are the apps and websites, how many steps it takes, plus how much it costs to do it wrong)

[crassus_ed]

I have the feeling many more people feel similar. I loved the intentionality of sitting behind your computer with purpose back then. There was always something you’d want to do and when that was done you’d search for the next thing to do.

[bilsbie]

I agree but didn’t the iPhone come out around 2007? Wouldn’t that be the date rather than 2014?

[arcanemachiner]

Release date != saturation date

[yourusername]

The first iphone was a very limited device. It didn't have 3G, you were still effectively tethered to WiFi.

[threetonesun]

Yes, around that time I had a laptop for work and it was an expectation that it would stay in the office at night. At least for one job you had to tell IT if it was leaving the office. But also no one wanted to bring the things home, you logged off at the end of the day and walked away from it.

[annzabelle]

I have a desktop for work and no work phone, so I leave at the end of the day and they cannot make me do anything until the next morning.

I also live in a mythical land where software engineers have contracted hours and they have to pay me more or give me time off the next pay period if they have me work more than 37.5 hours in a week.

On the other hand, my take home is 40% of what it was in America, and the tech stack is a decade behind.

[jolt42]

I didn't carry a cell phone for long enough (I do now) that people looked at me like I was nuts. I viewed a cell phone the same way most people thought of a pager (remember those things?) - for other people's convenience, not mine. If I am talking to someone in the hall, they will answer their phone, like people that call are more important? Thankfully I think people have realized that - some of the time.

[eutropia]

nit: author lists their pronouns as they/she