patrick.net

Patrick says

I get your take/meme, but QR codes are harmless. Yes I prefer a physical menu. if it's just me. That said I'm a minimalist at heart and can't stand fucking 6 page menus on the table for 5 of us. I assume it's just two of you when you go out to eat generally. With kids it's like a fucking bomb went off on the table before we even get our food or drinks. Constantly moving shit around to have a landing zone for drinks and apps.

Covid changes for a lot of things were gay, but I honestly don't mind using my phone to look at a menu if it's designed well for a phone. Also saves money for the business owner since an app/site is substantially cheaper than printing menus that need constant replacement and/or the menu changes. I'm no greenie gay, but it is better for the environment and business.

What bothers me is that it then forces people to carry a personal tracking device, even just to eat out.

Patrick says

What bothers me is that it then forces people to carry a personal tracking device, even just to eat out.

I get it. I just have given up at this point. I've been using computers and the internet since I was 7(ish) about '90-'91. I'm compromised at this point, don't do anything illegal and all my financial shit is locked down as an adult. Basically all my info is already out there. So I just fuck with data and algorithms.

Google has no clue what to do with me. I love Manatees, Donkeys and Eagles, listen to jam bands, cooking channels, aviation, porn and a whole bunch of other stuff. That's the tip of the iceberg. I understand people and privacy, but it's literally impossible at this point to be hidden. Secure the important stuff and then have some fun.

I lock my wifi with a password, but I'll change the name of it. One neighbor pissed me off bigly. He'd idle his Harley at 6am for 20 minutes every day during open window time of year. Changed my main wifi to "motorcycle micro penis" as the network name. I know he saw it because he came over to my house and tried fixing the situation. So the fucker started walking his bike down the street before turning it on. No voices raised. No physical concern with fighting. Trolling can work.

My wife was pissed as can be. But it fixed a situation that pissed both of us off. Wifi network names are fun and easy if you have a shitty neighbor. Undoubtably a friend will come over and ask for the wifi and see your home network even if 2-3 houses down the block.

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

NuttBoxer says

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

Airports wouldn't give you a menu during covid. Most of it was just a server coming over once saying you have to use the QR code to order drinks and food and they'll just bring it to you. At one point they didn't even do that and you just had to figure out the system. We traveled extensively during covid because everything was dirt cheap and we didn't care about covid. I saw my fair share of geezers taking issue with it and causing a scene. So it backfire at times.

99% of QR code are just links to a website. You could be right that some are potentially invasive in some manner. I have no clue. But it does make sense to have them. At airports though, I've never seen a person not pull their phone out when sitting at the bar or a table to eat. I think it's more a business decision to reduce employees. Kind of like self check out at grocery stores.

And sure they can track if it is scanned. The ones I've used for my goofy fliers doesn't give any info on the person that scans it. I like the tech to be honest, but I also don't give a shit about privacy. To each their own. It's easier than typing in a website on a phone if I'm out and about. Hell if I had my choice I'd haul around my 27" iMac. I can't stand phones, laptops and tablets to do anything.

NuttBoxer says

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

I don't see how scanning can expose your data. You are just basically scanning the QR code to get a website that contains the menu.

This can be tied to your phone of course, that you were there and perhaps even what you ordered

You shouldn't store important information on your phone. There is no security on it.

https://slaynews.com/news/wef-98-central-banks-ready-usher-in-cashless-society/

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has boasted that 98 percent of all central banks have now agreed to advance the unelected globalist organization’s “cashless society” agenda.

The WEF has revealed that most of the world’s central banks have been preparing to eliminate physical money and are now ready to make the switch to “digital cash.”

The revelation was made in a new white paper from the WEF which declares that nations around the world will soon be forced to adopt a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) in place of traditional money.

Always use cash. And when they outlaw cash, use silver by weight.

Patrick says

Always use cash. And when they outlaw cash, use silver by weight.

When they outlaw cash, silver will not be useful. The solution metal is more like lead.

HeadSet says

Patrick says

Always use cash. And when they outlaw cash, use silver by weight.

When they outlaw cash, silver will not be useful. The solution metal is more like lead.

They won't outlaw cash. Government never stops spending. Wiki but this is a basic topic. You think armored trucks handling the cash will go away? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armored_car_(valuables) That's an entire industry, poof, gone. Domino effect.

You think restaurants won't take cash? The illegal sitting outside Home Depot won't take or use cash? Computers are abundant, but not everyone has one. Cash ain't going anywhere in our lifetimes. I rarely use it. A whole hell of a lot harder to dispute a cash sale on say a car repair that got fucked up versus a CC. Plus I get paid to use the CC tax free.

Cash has its benefits for certain things. I just don't like lugging it with me and fumbling with it at every transaction. You're tracked regardless of using either cash or credit.

https://nakedemperor.substack.com/p/todays-must-reads-24-april-2024-non

Bank Withdrawal Access Denied To Thousands in Australia As Customers Forced To Move 500 Miles To Get Cash. A group of banking customers in Australia are feeling the repercussions of a shift toward a cashless society, according to a new report. 4,500 residents living in the town of Kununurra are now facing a 500 mile journey to the closest bank, reports Yahoo Finance. The town, located in Western Australia, used to have brick-and-mortar branches and ATMs for Commonwealth Bank (CBA), NAB and Westpac. But all three banks have now left, citing reasons like staffing and security, amid an industry-wide trend of reducing physical locations.

Patrick says

But all three banks have now left, citing reasons like staffing and security, amid an industry-wide trend of reducing physical locations.

3 banks for 4,500 residents is obscene. We get by just fine with 1 for us and our two neighboring towns. About 5k residents. And clearly it sounds like they're in the middle of nowhere. I don't really think this is a cashless society scenario. More logistics than anything of keep and moving cash to the region.

If I was 20-30 miles from a bank I'd go cashless. That's what it's like in my area. I just am lucky enough to have a bank in town.

https://slaynews.com/news/wef-banker-gloats-using-covid-usher-100-digital-global-cashless-society/

A powerful central banker has gloated to his fellow World Economic Forum (WEF) members that the Covid pandemic has helped globalists usher in a global “cashless society.”

Central Bank of Bahrain governor Khalid Humaidan discussed plans for eliminating physical cash while speaking at the WEF’s “Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy Development” on Sunday.

During a panel discussion, titled “Open Forum: The Digital Currencies’ Opportunity in the Middle East,” Humaidan told WEF elites that the goal of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) is to replace cash with “100% digital” payments.

He revealed that the pandemic helped to rapidly advance that goal.

The wealth in the system isn't the worthless paper, it's me and you. Withdraw your participation and resources(mainly time, labor), and it falls like a ton of bricks.

Maybe we should look at the homeless as protestors against the Federal Reserve's counterfeiting operation!

Customers furious as restaurants are now adding a brand new charge to bills - and some claim it should be ILLEGAL
A new surcharge is creeping on to restaurant bills and infuriating customers
The new fee is neither a tax, tip or credit card fee but to help with 'rising costs'
One critic fumed: 'This should actually be illegal'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/budgeting/article-13400157/restaurants-new-bill-surcharge-customers-furious-illegal.html

that crab toast must be some bad ass toast

WookieMan says

Cash has its benefits for certain things. I just don't like lugging it with me and fumbling with it at every transaction. You're tracked regardless of using either cash or credit.

yeah those bills weigh a lot and i find it hard to take out of my wallet.

komputodo says

WookieMan says

Cash has its benefits for certain things. I just don't like lugging it with me and fumbling with it at every transaction. You're tracked regardless of using either cash or credit.

yeah those bills weigh a lot and i find it hard to take out of my wallet.

komputodo says

yeah those bills weigh a lot and i find it hard to take out of my wallet.

I get the joke/sarcasm. I can get paid to use credit. Not saying anyone has to, but it's tax free rewards if you're not an idiot. On average I've been making $6-8k/yr using a credit card tax free. That sounds awful... lol... said no one ever.

Live in your bubble. Wish you luck. Hate the game, not the player. Gotta learn it before bashing it.

Well, except for inflation. But going back to silver coins would fix that.

Real cash doesn't inflate your wealth away..

My auto dealership, Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep; now makes me pay the 3 percent credit card transaction fee. I don't want to give them my bank card as I if get that info stolen and used its not as easy to get the cash lost charged back as it is on a credit card loss. Also I didn't have several hundred dollars on me at the time.

Also, just noticed my pest control service, supposed to come once every three months has been hitting me up every month. Thats 178 bucks a shot on my credit card. And am now wondering if they are tacking on the credit service fee on that as well. Many business are going full Red Lobster azzed broke and want us to bankroll em in the meantime. They can all just fold tent for all I care.

casandra says

I don't want to give them my bank card as I if get that info stolen and used its not as easy to get the cash lost charged back as it is on a credit card loss.

@casandra

You're right not to give the a debit card. I worked with a guy whose debit card number was stolen and his checking account cleaned out. Took him MONTHS to get the money back and he was in a really bad position for a while, literally no money to pay his mortgage.

The_Deplorable says

Nice try, but if I get 5% back from the CC company you're getting paid by CC, manifestos printed on metal plates be damned. Unless, of course, there is 5% or more discount for cash payments.

I'm pretty sure that none of the CCs charge merchants 5%. It's more like 1.5%.

So how could a CC give you 5% back and not go out of business?

Patrick says

I'm pretty sure that none of the CCs charge merchants 5%. It's more like 1.5%.

So how could a CC give you 5% back and not go out of business?

No idea, but somehow they do. You sound surprised and incredulous. You don't have any cashback CCs?

Patrick says

I'm pretty sure that none of the CCs charge merchants 5%. It's more like 1.5%.

So how could a CC give you 5% back and not go out of business?

https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/cash-back/cashback-calendar.html

Patrick says

So how could a CC give you 5% back and not go out of business?

Charge 20% interest.

Onvacation says

Patrick says

So how could a CC give you 5% back and not go out of business?

Charge 20% interest.

Bingo!

Onvacation says

Patrick says

So how could a CC give you 5% back and not go out of business?

Charge 20% interest.

Double bingo. Most don't pay it off. CC companies, mainly Chase and Southwest hate the flying fuck out of me (pun intended). I pay mine off monthly and 90% of it is the wife's expenses that get reimbursed. Talking $100-150k spend a year.

That's why they offer cash back or incentives. They assume you'll not be able to pay in the chase for rewards/points. They dangle the carrot to have you put everything on the card. The average American cannot make the monthly nut when they "feel" like they can spend more.

If you're disciplined, you'd be stupid not to be using a CC as I've said before. It's tax free income for spending what you already would. DON'T do it if you cannot pay it off. I'll take $8k/yr tax free money which is what we're currently at, sometimes more. You gotta find the right rewards program. Southwest/Chase is the best for us as a family of 5 that likes travel. No planned trips currently, but we have probably 20 round trips in points. So four trips. It will be 40-50 by the end of the year. Not a brag, but I honestly don't know what the fuck we're going to do with it all. It would be 8-10 vacations in the next year.

The average merchant fee is solidly over 2%, and the 5% are capped at a low maximum with changing categories. There's even a cap on total cashback after which you get 0. CC companies usually come out ahead of this (they also get a lot of data out of this to crunch and sell), so do savvy customers who avoid paying interest, for the merchants it's more like a necessary evil as interchange fees aren't capped in the US and among the highest.

mell says

The average merchant fee is solidly over 2%, and the 5% are capped at a low maximum with changing categories. There's even a cap on total cashback after which you get 0. CC companies usually come out ahead of this (they also get a lot of data out of this to crunch and sell), so do savvy customers who avoid paying interest, for the merchants it's more like a necessary evil as interchange fees aren't capped in the US and among the highest.

Every card/company is different. Like I said, I make Southwest/Chase eat shit with my points for a family of 5. Even "if" I paid interest it would still be cheaper than full fare. I'm unique with the amount we spend though.

mell says

The average merchant fee is solidly over 2%, and the 5% are capped at a low maximum with changing categories. There's even a cap on total cashback after which you get 0.

I have enough cashback CCs to never bump
into caps.

“‘My other piece of advice, Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘you know. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.”
David Copperfield (1850)

richwicks says

NuttBoxer says

What bothers me is I hear scanning those codes exposes a bunch of your data. I always ask for a menu, no place has refused me yet, even in San Diego.

I don't see how scanning can expose your data. You are just basically scanning the QR code to get a website that contains the menu.

This can be tied to your phone of course, that you were there and perhaps even what you ordered

You shouldn't store important information on your phone. There is no security on it.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2020/06/01/i-dont-scan-qr-codes-and-neither-should-you/?sh=6202865e51d1
It all depends on how the app ecosystem gets integrated on the given device and its version. We all know how the product manages make decisions in tech. part of the product development, privacy is a joke!

Onvacation says

“‘My other piece of advice, Copperfield,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘you know. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds nought and six, result misery.”
David Copperfield (1850)

Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, additional 30-40 pence of income from CC cashback - even more happiness.