I second that, my grandparents have been struggling so much, the bank and the health insurance both went full digital. And I’ve had to help them every week since, it’s been a few years by now… I’m tired man, also my granddad is losing his memory, he can’t even remember how to use the remote. Give people paper and envelopes and helpdesk Clercq, they are what’s keeping this world running, not Chatbots that never have the answer.
No worries about ranting. I’m still upset that the DMV turned library staff into their helpdesk without consulting us. There’s no good reason to send people to the library to make DMV appointments instead of allowing folks schedule over the phone.
My favorite was when Sir “Writes editorials about how libraries are pointless and expensive, let’s defund them” came in needing help with a DMV appointment. He was so mad. We didn’t let him know we knew who he was, but we did talk about him after he left.
In #Belgium there is an organization called “Actifs du Gang des Vieux en Colère” (the angry elders), who are rightly outraged that the government is imposing technology on them. I love that that org exists & I’m 100% behind them. These elders have become needlessly dependant on others to do basic tasks for them.
I’m outraged as well that the government is taking away offline options. But in my case, as a s/w engineer, it’s not because I have a competency problem. It’s because the government does. The gov imposes tech in a clumbsy manner, forcing citizens to share info with Microsoft & solve CAPTCHAs that help Google profit.
My concern of course is that the future elderly will be tech literate & thus diminish a movement that needs traction: the right to be offline. We need offline options for situations where the gov implements a foolish or incompetent design.
I second that, my grandparents have been struggling so much, the bank and the health insurance both went full digital. And I’ve had to help them every week since, it’s been a few years by now… I’m tired man, also my granddad is losing his memory, he can’t even remember how to use the remote. Give people paper and envelopes and helpdesk Clercq, they are what’s keeping this world running, not Chatbots that never have the answer.
Sorry this turned into a bit of a rant
No worries about ranting. I’m still upset that the DMV turned library staff into their helpdesk without consulting us. There’s no good reason to send people to the library to make DMV appointments instead of allowing folks schedule over the phone.
My favorite was when Sir “Writes editorials about how libraries are pointless and expensive, let’s defund them” came in needing help with a DMV appointment. He was so mad. We didn’t let him know we knew who he was, but we did talk about him after he left.
In #Belgium there is an organization called “Actifs du Gang des Vieux en Colère” (the angry elders), who are rightly outraged that the government is imposing technology on them. I love that that org exists & I’m 100% behind them. These elders have become needlessly dependant on others to do basic tasks for them.
I’m outraged as well that the government is taking away offline options. But in my case, as a s/w engineer, it’s not because I have a competency problem. It’s because the government does. The gov imposes tech in a clumbsy manner, forcing citizens to share info with Microsoft & solve CAPTCHAs that help Google profit.
My concern of course is that the future elderly will be tech literate & thus diminish a movement that needs traction: the right to be offline. We need offline options for situations where the gov implements a foolish or incompetent design.