Technology was supposed to make life faster, easier, and more convenient. So why does parking require an app, ordering lunch require an account, and watching television cost as much as cable again?

In Episode 24 of the Open Tabs Podcast, Billy and Joe discuss restaurant loyalty apps, QR-code menus, streaming subscriptions, digital tickets, smart-home devices, smartphones, AI, and all the modern conveniences they complain about but could never surrender.

They also settle some important debates in “Old Way or New Way?” and confess which supposedly toxic modern habits they secretly enjoy.

What was supposed to make your life easier but somehow made it worse? Tell us in the comments.

Visit the Open Tabs Podcast: https://opentabspc.com

#OpenTabsPodcast #Technology #ModernLife

CHAPTERS

00:00 QR Code Menu or Printed Menu?

00:34 Technology Was Supposed to Make Life Easier

03:08 What Technology Has Actually Improved

07:00 When Technology Creates More Problems

08:07 Did Streaming Just Become Cable Again?

13:35 Technology That Creates More Work

13:59 Restaurant Apps and Loyalty Programs

17:52 Ticketmaster and Digital Tickets

20:07 Why Does Everything Need an App?

22:17 Paying More to Avoid Advertisements

25:54 Old Way or New Way?

30:37 Smart Homes and Smartphones

31:56 Joe Brings Back the Home Intercom

35:07 Billy’s Walkie-Talkie Obsession

38:00 How Technology Is Affecting Children

43:08 Smartphones as Social Pacifiers

51:08 Modern Conveniences We Couldn’t Lose

54:00 Letting AI Make Your Phone Calls

57:00 Toxic Modern Habits We Secretly Love

59:24 My Phone Is for My Convenience

1:00:39 When Is Using AI Going Too Far?

1:04:12 Delete One Modern Technology

1:10:31 What Made Your Life Harder?

REFERENCES

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67005