I have strong resilence against new tech products (e.g., latest smartphones, home assistants like Alexa) mainly because of 1) privacy issues; 2) I’m more focused on need over want; 3) I prefer to be the producer/designer than the user; 4) I prefer not to rely on techologies too much that I may forget how to live without them.
Privacy Issues
The fact that I am using a smartphone, laptops, credit cards, and the internet pretty much mean that my information is already out there. Frankly, my resistence is just a psychologically effect to make myself feel like I still have control over my privacy.
If I have to give in to e.g., a smartwatch or a home assistant, it would be because I am interested in learning something about myself that the data these devices are collecting can reveal. If these companies are taking advantage of my data, then so should I be able to! (This is why I am still on Facebook…)
Need over Want
I have had some bumpy rides growing up where my family struggled some financial difficulties. I’ve always been told that I should think about my needs over want, and that I should sit on the idea of buying something for a night before actually buying it. This habit has stuck with me, and perhaps gone too far - I debated for months before buying a TV, which ironically, I didn’t end up using much (and my adorable sister took advantage of that).
Producer vs Consumer
I don’t like to be led by the nose. Therefore, I don’t chase after new products or latest models. I like to think of ways to counteract the psychological states that companies are trying to target at their customers. (But I’m inevitably biased - I wouldn’t say my desire to buy a better camera lens is led by the nose…) I prefer to be among those to create the products and tools that others find useful.
Survival Skills
I think point 4 is pretty self-explanatory. While it is important to keep up with the society as the world evolves, but if the market/world moves too fast, it will hit a recession. I’d like to stay prepared by having the skills to survive without these products. Would we still know how to navigate with (or without) traditional maps (and not google map)?
My Wish List
However, there are two products that I would love to have.
First, a watch that sends a vibration to remind me ~5-10 min before another meeting. This way, I can politely wrap up the current one without abnoxiously checking the clock during a meeting. But I don’t want to have the other functions a smartwatch offers. I don’t need to get an instant notification when I get a text/an email! I should be the one to decide when I want to read my emails and not the other way.
Second, I would love a model of the iphone that has the wide angle lens like the iphone 11, but the size of an SE! Until then, I will stick with my iphone SE.