It really seems like a lot of little complaints people have about little technological choices (like QR code menus) are increasingly complaints about the larger technological context they exist in (like the mobile ecosystem, controlled by the apple-google duopoly to fragment our attention, harvest tons of personal data, and lock us in to the platform)
I used to think this was an old person thing, but I see a lot of younger people who seem to resent their phones lately too. I got into tech because it was and still is fascinating and full of potential, but it's hard to deny that tech companies have become the poster child for this monopoly-sludge economy that is making so many people persistently miserable.
That's how I read this article: A person who views even a pretty minor aspect of an experience (The florid prose and descriptions the author likes in menus could easily be on a QR-accessed menu too) as tainted by the presence of tech. It's a weird little tic of a complaint without that context, but in our current cultural moment it's not that strange, and says a lot about said moment
Yeah I convinced my nephew to buy a 96 F150 extended cab that was basically rebuilt from the ground up and while it doesn't have all the modern amenities, he's the one everyone wants to hop in the car and go somewhere. they think it's cool and see that it's basically a great experience, if a lot more minimalistic than a Tesla. It's still got AC/heat/great stereo system(thanks to me!)/power steering/foot room. I think younger people can appreciate that tech doesn't necessarily bring a lot of added utility.
I used to think this was an old person thing, but I see a lot of younger people who seem to resent their phones lately too. I got into tech because it was and still is fascinating and full of potential, but it's hard to deny that tech companies have become the poster child for this monopoly-sludge economy that is making so many people persistently miserable.
That's how I read this article: A person who views even a pretty minor aspect of an experience (The florid prose and descriptions the author likes in menus could easily be on a QR-accessed menu too) as tainted by the presence of tech. It's a weird little tic of a complaint without that context, but in our current cultural moment it's not that strange, and says a lot about said moment