What modern invention is meant to be helpful but is the opposite?

[HippyDays]

Snooze button…

I’m so used to it now I sleep through for ages hitting snooze. So today when I really had to get up early I didn’t. And missed my train.

I am blaming the invention of snooze rather than admit my own imperfection 😁

Totally agree about two factor authentication. As you say it makes sense for banks but there are sites where they only have my name and email address but they want 2FA as well. It makes no sense whatsoever - tailor the security to the level of risk.

And if you have 2FA, make sure it works and don't lock someone out because someone has been trying to hack over and over again. I had this with ebay - someone kept trying to log in as me (maybe it wasn't malicious and they have a similar email address) and so I changed my password to something really complex and set up 2FA. Three months later ebay tells me to phone them and they've locked my account, although I managed to get around that in the end. But surely the 2FA should work to keep someone out of my account anyway.

Another vote for self service checkouts.
Our local coop uses them seemingly to cut down on the amount of staff they have, because when the SS checkouts inevitably has a hissy fit for no apparent reason every bloody time they are used, it takes ages to find a member of staff and it has been known for there to be no member of staff to be found!

Also Parking apps, nope not doing that.

Smart appliances. I thought my dishwasher had broken down recently, and have discovered there are dishwashers you can connect to your wi-fi.
Why? Just why? It just another unnecessary thing to go wrong.
Thankfully my trusty old fashioned dishwasher turned out to be fine.

Likewise, I don't really need my washing machine going on at me to tell me the wash has finished. I'll hang it out in my own time, thanks

Yes, beeping once to tell me you've finished is fine. Beeping to nag me for the next 10 minutes is not fine!

The other thing with self-checkouts is they don't seem to like it if you buy more than one of the same thing.

Ideally if I say had four identical items, I'd be able to say 4 x and scan one item but you can't do that.

But you can't even scan two identical items one after the other at Waitrose. I don't know if it's a hangover from covid and stockpiling, but I have to scan a different item inbetween.

Alternatively you can buy frozen chopped garlic in the supermarket. Along with frozen chopped onions.

Agreed. I have no self control, so have just downloaded an app that blocks it during fixed periods of time so I can't be tempted away. It is possible to override it, but the message popping up saying it's blocked is enough to stop me giving in.

I've only done it for one day, but I slept great last night with no pre-bedtime doomscrolling!

I also agree about electric can openers. My mum bought me one when I was rendered useless with an arm injury but a) I don't open cans often enough to have not been able to wait for DH to get home; b) I have ended up buying most cans that don't need a manual can opener, let alone an electric one; and c) the bloody thing was useless anyway!

Re garlic crushers, I agree most of the ones with two handles are useless, so I use one of these instead - https://shorturl.at/6FLHY - so much easier!

Washing machines. WTF would I want wifi on it? You are not supposed to use them if you are not there because of the fire risk. Most people use the same setting all the time, I don't need 20 different settings.

If someone brought out a machine with 3 dials, time, temperature and spin, it would sell like hot cakes.

While I agree with you entirely on the touch screens (IMO utterly dangerous - give me my BMW i-Drive system and buttons on the steering wheel).

I would add any sort of spray de-icer to the useless invention pile though. I can clear my whole car of ice in 3 minutes using a scraper, without having to spray anything on the windows to melt it. All a de-icer spray does for me is give me little lines on the screen where it's melted and a sore finger from using the spray!

Online everything. Press button this and button that on phone calls.

The low flush button on most public toilets. I have yet to use a loo where this supposedly environmentally friendly solution actually works and end up having to do the full flush every time.

Literally anything where I have to type my phone number into my phone.

My father taught me to hold an ordinary knife by the (blunt) blade and tap around the lid with the handle until the vacuum goes.
works for my arthritic hands.

Air fryers! Bulky, a pain to clean, burn before cooking an don’t fit it all in. (Now I’m running for cover)

Agree- toilets are evidence that not all change is progress. I told the plumber I want the ones with a high tank and a chain that give a satisfyingly powerful flush that doesn't break and require you to excavate the toilet from the surrounding tiles to fix the crappy, plasticky buttons. If I want a lower water flush I'll put a bloody brick in the tank.

God I'm middle aged 😂

and I've quoted the wrong person! sorry!

Fair enough. But then they are essentially a disability aid, which is great.

Yes to this! I have a lego account and have to wait for a code to log into it each time I use it. What is so special about a lego account that it needs 2FA??

I find this type (no idea on brand) to be brilliant. Therubber gives a really good grip and the extra length works as a lever. Doesn't do tiny jars ans never used the spike! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Westmark-Sieger-Twist-Multipurpose-Opener/dp/B002MWY7OO/ref=asc_df_B002MWY7OO?mcid=a048c5897a453d1fa7dc143d627c46e1&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=4888933451140775824-B002MWY7OO-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4888933451140775824&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046279&hvtargid=pla-2281435176698&psc=1&gad_source=1

Why do they actually build in a feature for you to add (and weigh) your bags - but then go into sweaty terrors when you try to use it, as though it's never encountered a shopper using a bag before?

Also when you're buying a very light thing, nobody seems to have warned it that a very light thing will be very light.

Surely, if you scan a barcode specifically for a birthday card, it shouldn't be surprised when you don't plonk a bag of potatoes on there?

Ohhh these are a magnificent invention

Remember when you needed coins to park anywhere? So stressful

What's wrong with contactless? Apps are a pointless complication and they contribute to digital exclusion.

Sometimes they work well, other times they are a pain.when we were on holiday we could top up our parking (in a carpark 5 min away) from the house.
However other times I've been to a carpark and paying with coins was much quicker than doing by app.
I object to the fees being higher if you pay by phone or app though!

Patio heaters. Whoever thought it was a good idea to try to heat the outdoors? Go indoors or put on a jumper!

I wouldn’t care if all parking meters took cards, but I love not having to have change to pay for parking. It’s wonderful.

I don't have a problem with apps as an option but I do have a problem with car parks being app only.

I have coins in the car, but generally waving a card at the machine is the easiest option.

@marmaladeandpeanutbutter it's the rocker one, very useful and easy to clean.