Are Our Brains Being Fried

[pimplyteen]

Or should I say obsolete. I ask this because someone asked me the other day if my car had sensor lights, I said no, why would I need them I've been driving long enough to know when I need to switch them on.
The same was put to me about a wiper sensor, if it rains you just switch them on don't you.
Ok so the 2 examples above are just a fraction of what is just done on our behalf without having to think for ourselves.
This morning on TV someone was coming up with the most basic advice on how to save energy, basically just switching off, teaching how to suck eggs really. Do people really not know?

Can you give an example / gadget that's made our brain obsolete?

[davebro]

I quite enjoy driving and I'm happy for my car to help out with some of the "chores" - don't think I'd want to go fully auto though.

?

[bhg481]

I must say that I like the rain sensor on our car; on earlier cars the intermittent rate was always wrong. I notice that the lights on some cars also come on eg, in tunnels when people can't be bothered to switch them on for a short time.

[Canary42]

TV remotes

[bednobs]

Google. Young people have no need to actually remember anything, as a world encyclopaedia is in their pocket

[pimplyteen]

There is a serious side to this in my view, I know a lot of older people tend to have memory loss but it seems to me many younger people seem to be getting it, and wondered if there's a link to everything being done for them. A simple example I would give is I can remember just not to forget to wind the alarm clock up before hitting the pillow. ( now that's going back in time) :0)

[davebro]

//I must say that I like the rain sensor on our car; on earlier cars the intermittent rate was always wrong.//

Long before rain sensors I fitted a device to my Renault 12 that let you set the intermittent rate to any interval by simple twisting a knob. I find the pre-set ones on modern cars are rarely ideal even if there are several options.

[bhg481]

dave - yes, my Omega had that feature but it was still difficult to get it right because the rain/spray wan't consistent. The current automatic system looks at the amount of moisture on the screen (adjustable) and wipes when it's wet enough. Works well for us but our daughter, with a different car, hates it.

[Canary42]

I think a lot of it is a defence against the Blame-and-Claim brigade (intensely fuelled by no win no fee rogues).

So, for example, the public toilet cleaner has to display the A-board stating Slippery floor when wet. The peanut seller has to proclaim "contains nuts". One manifestation of this is the pages and pages of "safety information" contained in electrical product operating instructions (e.g. Don't use this toaster in the bath).

It all really took off when that woman won an action against McDonalds because her coffee was hot. It makes zombies of us all.

[pimplyteen]

Looks like no one can remember. :0) I'll try and help, why the need for instructions on a packet of crisps on how to open them. ( open here)

[TheChair]

I've seen many people who've forgotten to switch their lights on. It's easily done if you are driving through a brightly lit area, and don't realise that the sun has set.

[davebro]

//The current automatic system looks at the amount of moisture on the screen (adjustable) and wipes when it's wet enough. Works well for us but our daughter, with a different car, hates it.//

My RAV4 has that with a sensitivity adjustment but it never seems right - always too slow or too fast. I rarely use it.

[andres]

The computer!

[davebro]

I don't think my brain has become obsolete. With the information revolution I've acquired much more knowledge albeit general rather than specific & my memory seems to have improved. Physically I'm a wreck tho' !

[Spicerack]

pimplyteen //Looks like no one can remember. :0) I'll try and help, why the need for instructions on a packet of crisps on how to open them. ( open here)//

Duh......If you opened them at the other end all the crisps would fall onto the floor.

[bhg481]

dave - interesting; our daughter has a RAV4, we have a Volvo V70.

[bednobs]

It does make me snigger when roundabout lights are out and it seems no-one can remember how to use a roundabout. However, barely anyone can remember how to double de clutch either and it hasn't resulted in loads of accidents

[Hopkirk]

I take your word for it that you know when to turn your lights on, but I see thousands of people who are unable to make the right decision. The more this gets automated, the better.
Many people seem to think it is sufficient to rely on the daytime running lights after dark, oblivious to the fact that they have no rear lights on.
I now have a car that not only turns the lights on, but dips the headlights when necessary. I literally never have to touch any lighting controls, and it's brilliant.

Conversely though, I hate the autowipers and insist on having full control. I also never use the auto setting on the ventilation.

[bhg481]

The danger of automatic lights is that people forget to use them in fog.

[sanmac]

Here in Canada it has been the law for many years that all cars manufactured here or imported be equipped with Daytime Running lights. As soon as you put the car into gear, the headlights come on.

[sanmac]

The law came into effect on Dec 31st, 1989.