The End of Resistentialism
Had to share this. Our very own Paul talks about resistentialism:
[Fractal'12] "The End of Resistentialism" by Paul Di Filippo from Universo Fractal on Vimeo.
About two minutes in, he asks someone off-camera to cue up a video projector. I honestly thought the projector was going to refuse to work, and that would be the example of resistentialism.Comments
I knew there should be a word for it!
Thanks for opening up a whole new territory to explore. I can't watch the video (Vimeo stutters something horrid!), but a search of the word led me to Farin Urlaub's "Dusche," which is absolutely perfect. 😊
I've long used the line "this machine hates me" every time I have to reswipe a credit card or a vending machine tries to cheat me. I'm happy to know now that either I'm not actually crazy or that there are many others who share the delusion.
Thanks for opening up a whole new territory to explore. I can't watch the video (Vimeo stutters something horrid!), but a search of the word led me to Farin Urlaub's "Dusche," which is absolutely perfect. 😊
I've long used the line "this machine hates me" every time I have to reswipe a credit card or a vending machine tries to cheat me. I'm happy to know now that either I'm not actually crazy or that there are many others who share the delusion.
Posted by Phideaux on 08/26/13 at 07:40 PM
@Phideaux: You need to engage in more S/F.
@Alex: I'd ask Paul this but... Well... Is it true that he has an unnatural fear of his razor? Would that be an example of resistentialism?
@Alex: I'd ask Paul this but... Well... Is it true that he has an unnatural fear of his razor? Would that be an example of resistentialism?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 08/27/13 at 12:50 AM
Phideaux: of course it is not true that "that machine hates you". But it is true that that machine's designer hates you. Particularly if it's running M$ Windows...
Posted by Richard Bos on 08/27/13 at 04:52 AM
Speaking as a technician, Most of the complaints that start with "This machine hates me." Are resolved with the instruction "RTFM"!
That stands for Read The F'ing Manual! :lol: :coolsmile:
Of course, If the problem involves A MicroSoft product All bets are off! :lol: :coolsmile:
That stands for Read The F'ing Manual! :lol: :coolsmile:
Of course, If the problem involves A MicroSoft product All bets are off! :lol: :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 08/27/13 at 08:54 AM
No, the machines don't spite us just because they are machines. It's because people don't take the time to make any effort and try to understand that machines need love, too.
Consider the average person in the First World: Daddy gets into one of the family's 2.28 automobiles and turn the key. If it starts, they go on their way. But what about the maintenance required to keep the machine in operating condition? Change the oil? Why would I want to do that? With an attitude like that, you deserve to be stranded out in the Nevada desert on the way to Vegas.
I like the Wiki reference that this is considered a parody of Sartre's Existentialism: L'enfer, c'est les machines.
Consider the average person in the First World: Daddy gets into one of the family's 2.28 automobiles and turn the key. If it starts, they go on their way. But what about the maintenance required to keep the machine in operating condition? Change the oil? Why would I want to do that? With an attitude like that, you deserve to be stranded out in the Nevada desert on the way to Vegas.
I like the Wiki reference that this is considered a parody of Sartre's Existentialism: L'enfer, c'est les machines.
Posted by KDP on 08/27/13 at 02:50 PM
If you love your machines, they will love you back. My last truck lasted 18 years. My current truck is 21 years old and is still running great.
Posted by BMN on 08/27/13 at 03:36 PM
BMN, my major hobby is air-cooled VWs. The youngest of the three cars is 48 y.o. and any of them will still take me where I want to go without my worrying about something giving out. The reason I love them is because they are unique and attract attention wherever I take them.
Posted by KDP on 08/27/13 at 05:54 PM
@Expat47 -- Performing Spontaneous Fission will help? Or is "engaging" in San Francisco a euphemism?
@Tyrusguy -- I typically have to swipe a card two or three times before the machines accept it. I thought I'd have no problem one time when I had a brand new card, but after I gave up in frustration, the cashier ran it, and had to swipe it twice! The machines definitely are in conspiracy against me. (And I've learned that the cashier saying: "strip down, facing me" refers to how to hold the card and not . . . you know.)
My 1985 Buick loves me, my Acer loves me, and my microwave loves me. Most everything else is indifferent, but credit card machines, kitchen timers, and the doorbell are in cahoots to make my life miserable.
@Tyrusguy -- I typically have to swipe a card two or three times before the machines accept it. I thought I'd have no problem one time when I had a brand new card, but after I gave up in frustration, the cashier ran it, and had to swipe it twice! The machines definitely are in conspiracy against me. (And I've learned that the cashier saying: "strip down, facing me" refers to how to hold the card and not . . . you know.)
My 1985 Buick loves me, my Acer loves me, and my microwave loves me. Most everything else is indifferent, but credit card machines, kitchen timers, and the doorbell are in cahoots to make my life miserable.
Posted by Phideaux on 08/27/13 at 07:10 PM
Sometimes machines DEMAND respect.
The saying... "it's impossible to make a machine foolproof ~~~ IDIOTS are so invevtive"
We were installing a machine to remove redhot 800lb ingots of copper through a cooling bath. At the end was an over/under weight rejecter scale.
The head man of the mine safety office came to give a lecture to the crew about his rules on being safe around automation. He saw the scale as a good stage so eveyone could see him,
The scale saw him as an IDIOT and rejected him. (With a broken pelvis)
The saying... "it's impossible to make a machine foolproof ~~~ IDIOTS are so invevtive"
We were installing a machine to remove redhot 800lb ingots of copper through a cooling bath. At the end was an over/under weight rejecter scale.
The head man of the mine safety office came to give a lecture to the crew about his rules on being safe around automation. He saw the scale as a good stage so eveyone could see him,
The scale saw him as an IDIOT and rejected him. (With a broken pelvis)
Posted by BMN on 08/28/13 at 12:41 AM
@ Phideaux, Some of the things you are describing could be attributed to
"Extra-Electrial activity" of the user. (In this case that would be you!)
When I was a young man in the early 70's, I went through about a half-dozen LED type digital watches that just stopped working when they were put on by me! One even stopped working before i was out the door! After that the store refunded my money! My brother was given an identical watch and it worked for years! Sometimes people forget that for all our knowlege, there are things we still don't know about electricity! :coolsmile:
"Extra-Electrial activity" of the user. (In this case that would be you!)
When I was a young man in the early 70's, I went through about a half-dozen LED type digital watches that just stopped working when they were put on by me! One even stopped working before i was out the door! After that the store refunded my money! My brother was given an identical watch and it worked for years! Sometimes people forget that for all our knowlege, there are things we still don't know about electricity! :coolsmile:
Posted by Tyrusguy on 08/28/13 at 09:07 AM
My machines definitely do not love me back....just about the time I am ready to hit the publish button, everything crashes! I am convinced there is something in my body. I kill watches on a regular basis too.
Posted by Jake on 10/02/13 at 02:37 PM
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Category: Paul