Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What do you wish had never been invented?

139 replies

Soubriquet · 19/02/2025 11:37

For me it’s things like guns/bombs/auto rifles and stuff like that.

Killing someone with a sword or knife is one thing (back in ancient times). You actually had to get your hands dirty and it could make people reconsider but guns? One pull of a trigger and you can kill many in a blink of an eye without thinking twice

OP posts:
Summerhillsquare · 19/02/2025 11:47

Yes, and chemical weapons in particular.

The internal combustion engine has been responsible for so many deaths and illnesses. We actually invented electric cars first but the oil industry was looking for a new market.

EggFriedRiceAndChips · 19/02/2025 11:48

AI . And yes to both of the above as well.

LunaNorth · 19/02/2025 11:48

The Internet.

I realise the irony.

springbabydays · 19/02/2025 11:49

T'internet.

Sorry t'internet friends. I know we use it to solve a lot of problems but I think many of those problems are created by it too.

notgettinganyyounger · 19/02/2025 11:49

Social media!

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 19/02/2025 11:50

Social media and AI.

Porn.

Itisbetter · 19/02/2025 11:53

lip filler/botox

ssd · 19/02/2025 11:56

The Internet definitely

TheDandyLion · 19/02/2025 11:56

Single use plastic

Gymmum82 · 19/02/2025 11:57

Smart phones

AmeliaTangfastic · 19/02/2025 11:57

Smart phones (she types on her smart phone)

ThimbleT · 19/02/2025 12:00

Donald Trump.

Crunchymum · 19/02/2025 12:03

Obviously it goes without saying that we'd be much better off without weaponry of war and death.

Smart phone / social media for me too. Its an absolute scurge on society and is going to ruin our children.

And yes I'm positing from my smart phone (whilst technically ignoring my DC - in my defence we have a sickness bug in the house so everyone is either asleep or on a device as I've been up since 3am so I'm having a doom scroll!)

Coffeeishot · 19/02/2025 12:04

Those ginormous cups with straws absolutely ridiculous things.

I don't need to hear people slurp away when I'm on the bus or sitting near them NOBODY Is that thirsty !

Manchesterbythesea · 19/02/2025 12:05

Agree..the internet, smart phones, social media etc. I long for the 90’s as a teen when everything was simple.

Lindererer32 · 19/02/2025 12:09

Smartphones

Happy with Internet but restricted to computer use, not always in our hands.

PuppyMonkey · 19/02/2025 12:10

Wine - and then I wouldn’t feel so compelled to drink it all.Grin

CarefulN0w · 19/02/2025 12:15

Stupid things to spend a lot of money on just to brag on social media. (And I know people can opt out - but there is often social pressure).

I'm thinking week long hen/stag do's in far flung destinations, outlandish "gender" reveals, weddings that cost more than a year's salary (and are still being paid for post divorce).

I'd also add bottled water, artificial sweeteners, cornstarch and any so called foods that are a byproduct of the chemical industry.

flyinghen · 19/02/2025 12:15

Smart phones
Chemical weapons

RosesAndHellebores · 19/02/2025 12:17

I'm not going to wish the Internet hadn't been invented, that would be Luddite behaviour and progress is good.

I'd say ultra-processed foods and the Labour Party

thestudio · 19/02/2025 12:18

Social media specifically.
I can imagine the internet working without it.

Chuchoter · 19/02/2025 12:26

Grey paint. The ruin of many a good house.

Buggy boards - unless there is a disability involved let your child walk.

Inverted bob haircuts - bloody awful.

Tattoos - other than tribal ones if you are actually part of a tribe. The ordinary person in the street just looks awful with them.

Ear stretcher things - probably a name for them but what we they are they are utterly repulsive.

CatCaretaker · 19/02/2025 12:28

CarefulN0w · 19/02/2025 12:15

Stupid things to spend a lot of money on just to brag on social media. (And I know people can opt out - but there is often social pressure).

I'm thinking week long hen/stag do's in far flung destinations, outlandish "gender" reveals, weddings that cost more than a year's salary (and are still being paid for post divorce).

I'd also add bottled water, artificial sweeteners, cornstarch and any so called foods that are a byproduct of the chemical industry.

What's wrong with cornstarch? I use it to thicken sauces ... is there a nefarious side to it?

kerstina · 19/02/2025 12:28

Nuclear bomb

SassK · 19/02/2025 12:30

The internet (and covid, assuming the lab theory is correct).