I suspect it's in line with big tech policies to coddle end users instead of educating or trusting them. I assert (particularly since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007) that learned helplessness is built into the game plan.

[–] MonkeMischief@lemmy.today 5 points 12 hours ago

100%! Like with major setups and upgrades now just being throbbing circles and a pulsing blue light with the creepy "We're doing stuff on your behalf behind this screen." messaging.

I say computers (and the Internet) are for anybody, but not everybody. Learning to use a tool will always be a requirement of useful tools.

There used to be a time when most people using a computer implicitly understood how files and folders worked, for instance. But now even such a simple abstraction is considered advanced esoteric lost arcana.

I'm deeply saddened by how the tech industry has deliberately pushed understanding backwards so hard in order to foster more obedient consumers.

It's actually wild to see how many people who were at the very least, young adults during the computer boom of the late 80's/early 90's, can't handle anything without a touch screen and don't comprehend email.

Ignorance is sold as the future.

[–] BilSabab@lemmy.world 4 points 14 hours ago

My dad used to say Apple is evil exactly because of that - they make stuff for people who want fancy shit but have little to no interest in actual tech.