50 Painful Pics Of People Proving They Shouldn’t Be Allowed Near A Soldering Iron

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!