Is this making anyone else nervous?

[Ed Storey]

I am over 60 and I don't have a cell phone and if I did, I would probably loose it. Back when I was still in the military I had to sign out a Blackberry even though I had no use for one. I took said Blackberry, box and all, back to my desk and locked it in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet. A year later IT was on to me to either use the Blackberry or return it, so I returned it; still in the box. The kids working in IT were not impressed and I didn't care.

I still go to the bank in person and do everything with a teller. More than once the teller has mentioned that for my convenience I could use the automated teller or bank from home. I always respond that I am preserving their job by showing up in person.

[Bruce MacMillan]

Originally Posted by edstorey

I still go to the bank in person and do everything with a teller. .

I also preferred doing that but the bank kept reducing their open hours. They gave me a small security device to do online banking from home. When that device died it was replaced by an ap on my phone. Now I'm told that due to security software upgrade my phone no longer supported the ap and to continue I had to buy a new phone. Back to withdrawing cash until last month they closed my branch. Nearest one is a 45 minute bus ride away.

I now max out the daily cash withdraw to last a month. I prefer paying by cash as my spending habits can't be tracked. I'm not paranoid but annoyed that the info gathered is sold to marketing companies and I don't get a cut.

[Tim Bell]

When there's a power cut... what fuel for the backup generator?

[Lynn Eades]

Over here, we have about 6 banks. Nearly all of them are Australian owned (including the bank of New Zealand) I happen to bank with the ANZ. It is only open 3 days a week. Apparently the banks have to report every transaction involving more than (I think) $5,000. As a semi retired (ok, 68yo) I have spent a lot of time trying to educate myself on money and how it is created, the banks, and government and their roles in it. The system worldwide is corrupt. I have developed a dislike for both and have now become a bitcoiner. Rightly or wrongly this is where I now keep the bulk of my money ("bulk" makes it sound like a lot!) I still have my bank accounts for the normal day to day life stuff. Although Btc is risky, it has been running for 11 years without an issue. It is open 24/7. It is "A store of value"
It will become more mainstream as time goes by. There is a lot to learn and I can see it is particularly difficult for us older people. You would need a smart phone or computer to receive and send payments, so some of us would not cope. I too have a lot to learn on this. If you should venture into it, be careful.

If you have some time to waste, here is a podcast on youtube from your Jordan Peterson. It is educational on Bitcoin, your current currency (fiat money) and also climate change. There is 2 hours of it, so probably not many will go there. I dont know how to set up a link so you will have to copy and paste. The Immaculate Conception: Bitcoin vs Fiat Standard | Dr. Saifedean Ammous | The JBP Podcast S4: E58

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Tim Bell

When there's a power cut... what fuel for the backup generator?

Your windmill will provide it for you.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by rob love

Your windmill will provide it for you.

Only if you take care of it.

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Rob

Nothing nefarious or damning, honest.

My point by posting the link is to illustrate the backroom dealings in industry that have the deliberate intent of solely making money. Damn the consequences, fallout, or losses in other areas. Sometimes Politics enters that realm of decision too.

Your post that mentioned light bulbs caused a spark in my brain.

That is all.

regards
Darrell

[rob love]

Well that does make me nervous. When I originally hit your link I got a youtube video about some guy with a marble machine. Fascinating, but I did not get the connection. He did seem a little highstrung. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gPVvoIEw0w

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by edstorey

I am over 60 and I don't have a cell phone and if I did, I would probably loose it...
I still go to the bank in person and do everything with a teller.

Everything ?

Ed, do you ever consider we may have been born in the wrong century?

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

Everything ?

Ed, do you ever consider we may have been born in the wrong century?

Hehehe, I like to think of it as being born in the right century. At least that is what I tell myself in the morning while reading the newspaper.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by edstorey

Hehehe, I like to think of it as being born in the right century. At least that is what I tell myself in the morning while reading the newspaper.

Swinging this back a little more serious, a good friend and I were talking along these lines. As much as we'd both like to be in our twenties starting this whole thing over again (but retaining what we know of course), we concluded we are happy to have lived when we did. We got to do things and experience a life without all the crap, groupthink progresso-nonsense and, well, left alone to get into all kinds of fun trouble.

[motto (RIP)]

Amen to that. I'm sure we have seen the best of it.

David

MLU, a bit of sanity in a mad, mad world.