Experts date the beginning of the tech boom to somewhere in the 1990s. We've been living with microchips, laptops, and routers for around 30 years, yet sometimes we don't abide by the simplest safety measures. Surprisingly, even 66% of Americans don't consider themselves tech-savvy. After you've scrolled through this list, you might understand why.
It might seem that most people should know not to microwave a laptop or to hang a bunch of wires from the ceiling, yet some don't. Bored Panda found the craziest examples of people mishandling all kinds of electronics, and we present the best of the worst to you here. It makes you wonder: how have humans made it this long?
#1 So Mac Doesnt Support Windows But Atleast It Supports Doors
Image credits: BateauSai
#2 User Spilt Coffee On His Laptop, So He Put It In The Oven To Dry It Out
Image credits: smarthawk
#3 This Coffee Grinder Fills Its Base, Motor, And Circuit Boards Up With Grounds
Cygnus_X_2112:
"That's grounds to buy a new coffee grinder"
Watton:
"Whoever greenlit the design for this is gonna get roasted."
Image credits: JO2W
As humans, we're used to adapting to difficult circumstances. After all, it's what has helped us remain on this Earth for so long. What's more, we're the innovators who have invented electronics: the TV, the computer, the smartphone, and the microchip were all conceptualized and made by humans.
So, why do we sometimes feel so behind on the current tech trends? Naturally, age has something to do with it. Older people usually feel less comfortable using devices independently and are slower to adapt to new technologies. In fact, 26% of U.S. adults said during the pandemic that they usually needed someone else to show them how to use an electronic device.
#4 Apply Kirchhoff's Laws
Image credits: SpirtMona
#5 Who Lost Their SD Card?
Image credits: LeveledWorm
#6 People That Use PC Cables To Rest Their Feet
Image credits: sarge-m
The pandemic exposed the lack of tech-savviness in younger people, too. 47% of parents "with lower tech readiness" said they had some difficulty helping their children with setting up online school instructions. People didn't like using technology for communication, either, as only 17% believed that it was as good as in-person conversations.
Younger and more financially well-off Americans tend to be more interested in technology. A recent YouGov survey showed that 26% of U.S. adults aged 55 and up are not very interested in tech, and 19% even find it hard to learn about new technologies. Similarly, 26% of lower-income Americans have little interest in tech, and 15% say it is hard to learn.
#7 Errrr Guys, My Capacitor Scares Me, It Has Blinky Eyes
Image credits: Cesalv
#8 What Does The Red Light Mean?
Image credits: BlindChicken69
#9 8-Year-Old Cousin Stabbed My 300 Dollar All In One Computer When I Refused To Let Him Use It
Today my 8-year-old cousin was visiting my house. He was walking around the house when he noticed that I had a pc. He instantly started asking me if he could use it, and ofcourse i said no, he asked me again, and again and again until he finally just walked over and started trying to use it. I quickly unplugged my pc before he could modify anything. He started screaming and crying. My mom and his mom came over to see what was going on. I told my mom what he was doing, and she told me to let him use my computer because I should be "sharing" my stuff. My mom eventually told me that if I didnt share with him, she would take my computer away from me. I said "Fine ill let him use it". I plugged it back in and left the room. Not even a minute later he came out to ask me for my password. I told him that I wasnt going to give it to him. Then he stormed back into the room and picked up some scissors that I had out and started violently stabbing my computer screen until the scissors literally got stuck in the screen. His mom offered to give me money to get me a new computer but my mom told her that I didnt need it since I own multiple computers. Now ill need to save up for a new one.
Image credits: Extension-Emu-8585
Despite having doubts about their ability to adapt to new technology, most Americans still want to own the newest gadgets. Smartphones, smart watches, and the newest model laptop: a whopping 77% of Americans think that it's essential to own the latest electronics. Unfortunately, few can afford them, and, as a result, many even go into debt to be able to buy them. 28% of Americans say that owning the latest gadget is even more important than paying the bills.
#10 Help. How Do I Turn My Night Light Off??
Image credits: Occasional-Nihilist
#11 Server Room From My First Hospital Job
Image credits: Lgfxx
#12 I Still Hear A Loud Buzzing But Checked Cables And Everything Looks Ok, What Could It Be?
Image credits: Cesalv
Of course, the newest of all new technologies is artificial intelligence. And, surprisingly, Americans are quite on board with it. A recent Ipsos survey shows that 68% of Americans are familiar with the use of AI and its applications. Most trust AI just as much as news outlets, and even twice as much as social media influencers. People especially trust AI when it comes to financial decisions. They think it's great for detecting fraud, managing investments, budgeting, and even as a financial advisor.
#13 This Router At School
Image credits: curionsu
#14 Why Is My Light Switch So Aggressive?
Image credits: Fancy-Styles
#15 How Often Should I Let The Excess Air Out Of My MacBook Battery?
Image credits: enigma_0Z
The majority of Americans have a largely positive view of AI. 77% believe that artificial intelligence will have a positive impact on the world, and 62% say it will help the U.S. secure a good spot in the global competitive market. Americans think AI will help strengthen national security, boost the economy, and even speed up scientific and medical breakthroughs.
#16 A User's Desktop When I Came Into Work Yesterday
Image credits: LeafyBasil366
#17 Is This The Correct Charger
Image credits: Prudent_Agency_7175
#18 Maybe Using Two Is A Bit Too Much But I'm A Perfectionist
Image credits: Cesalv
Yet, many experts are sounding the alarm bells regarding AI. They say that policymakers should regulate generative AI to protect societies from the spread of misinformation, the misuse of personal data, and, in the case of creative industries, the unethical use of intellectual property. Public attitudes are heated as well; many people call for the harsh regulation of AI, fearing that their jobs will soon become obsolete.
#19 Clients Office Cable Management. I’ve Never Been So Mildy Infuriated
Image credits: Ofeiven
#20 Glass Desk Cracked Mid Session
Image credits: The_Kasterr
#21 USB-C Cable Just Unplugged The Wrong Way
Image credits: AdM1rAL-kun
Other experts point out that AI will have a disproportionate effect on people depending on their geographical situation. People in the U.S. and Western Europe may benefit from AI in many sectors, but those outside of these regions may not. "AI-driven technologies have a pattern of entrenching social divides and exacerbating social inequality, particularly among historically-marginalized groups," authors of a 2019 study write.
#22 My Grandfather Didnt Trust I'd Wipe His Hard Drive Before Selling His Old Laptop. So He Took It Into His Own Hands
Image credits: Peanutmargarineroo
#23 Someone Asked If This Is Repairable
Image credits: Ambitious-Cat5804
#24 The City's Inspector Is Coming Over In 2 Hours. How Can I Fix My Outdoor Christmas Lights So It Passes Inspection?
Image credits: 1Davide
Other experts argue that it's all a "Tech Panic Cycle." Essentially, every new invention, from the printing press to the phonograph and even the Internet, has experienced this kind of public panic. People worried it would take away their jobs, their creativity, and their livelihoods, yet humanity is still here, standing strong. "Fears increase, peak, then decline over time as the public becomes familiar with the technology and its benefits," Patrick Grady and Daniel Castro of the Center for Data Innovation write.
#25 Don’t Replace Ram In Poor Lighting Conditions
I was replacing my 32gb of RAM with 128gb. Got the first stick in. Lined up the next stick and pressed down firmly. I heard a solid click. I let go and the stick came off. The click wasn’t the locking mechanism. It was the sound of 7 tiny capacitors being sheered off the PCB. I wasn’t in the slot. I was between them. Luckily I know a really good board level repair guy who could give me a good price on repairing the stick and I found the components.
Image credits: Excellent-Milk-2619
#26 All But 2 Of My Outlets Are So Loose That Nothing Actually Stays In
Image credits: reddit.com
#27 What Do I Do Now?
Image credits: BlindChicken69
What was your funniest encounter with a piece of tech, Pandas? Did you ever stab a screen in a fit of rage? Or were you able to save your device by chucking it into a pot of rice? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to upvote your favorite entries on this list. Also, if you'd like to see more similar tech fails, be sure to check out these tech support disasters!
#28 At My School, They Hot Glued The USB And Audio Ports
Image credits: BruhLandau
#29 My Hotkeys
Image credits: reddit.com
#30 Is My Soldering Good Enough?
Image credits: Portal_fan_101
#31 PSA: Don't Leave Grandma Unattended At The Servers Room
Image credits: Cesalv
#32 I Present You Guys One Of My USB Cables
Image credits: sk1_
#33 Failed The Physics Exam Today... This Was The Last Straw, I'm Doing It
Image credits: SureDay29
#34 My Grandpa's Handmade Intercom System From The Communist Era (~1980)
Image credits: Victor464543
#35 These Cable Runs In My Server Room. Bull Clips And Rubber Bands
Image credits: Brat-a-tat-tat
#36 OSHA Approved
Image credits: Cesalv
#37 I Let Someone Play Tf2 On My Laptop. Came Back To This
Image credits: reddit.com
#38 A Victim Of The TikTok Trend
DankLordSkeletor:
"What trend? Pouring burning acid on your laptop?"
Forward-Actuary9402:
"The trend of shoving random conductive objects in usb ports of chromebooks (like razor blades, pencil tips, paper clips, chunks of metal, coins, and wires) to short them out causing smoke or internal motherboard damage; optionally then removing a key on the keyboard and stabbing the battery. It usually causes smoking, explosions, or leaking of battery acid. Edit: thanks u/Water_bolt for reminding me about kids stabbing batteries."
Image credits: ItzEdInYourBed
#39 Received Email To Clean My CPU At Work. Now It Department Is Mad At Me
Image credits: 1Arcite
#40 Help - My Japanese Toilet Is Not Flushing, Where To Plug My Jtag?
Image credits: Djbusty
#41 I Was Tired Of Buying Compressed Air
Image credits: Divzro
#42 Does This Count? Discharging A Bosch Ebike Battery Using An Electric Heater
Image credits: HIVVIH
#43 Is This Safe To Power My Phone?
Image credits: hahamemegopost
#44 “Waterproof” Manscaped Razor Has Mold On Circuit
Image credits: Snoo-44094
#45 Is The CPU Installed Correctly?
Image credits: Fancy-Styles
#46 Can I Solder It Back Together?
Image credits: Syphist
#47 My Nephew Was Really Proud Of Cutting My Multimeter Leads
Image credits: oogletoff
#48 My Belkin USB C Cable Shorted Itself Destroying The Cable And The My Phone's Port In The Process Everything Is Melted
Image credits: reddit.com
#49 Check Before Disassembling Your Steam Deck
Image credits: AirHamyes
#50 How Do I Connect This Key Board To My Laptop?
Image credits: BrilliantElk1748
