# Evaluating Technology Regressions and Historical Alternatives

DevFeed: [Evaluating Technology Regressions and Historical Alternatives](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/was-the-past-better-than-now-36635.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://rdist.root.org/2014/12/01/was-the-past-better-than-now/>)

Author: Nate Lawson

Published: 2014-12-01T12:00:32Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [rdist](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/rdist.md>)

Topics: [Software](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/software.md>), [systems](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/systems.md>), [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>), [mac os](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/mac-os.md>), [Unix](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/unix.md>), [cpu](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/cpu.md>)

Tags: [analysis](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/analysis.md>), [architecture](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/architecture.md>), [history](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/history.md>), [security](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/security.md>), [software](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/software.md>), [system-design](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/system-design.md>), [systems](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/systems.md>), [technology](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/technology.md>)

## AI overview

The article argues for evaluating technology by examining both its benefits and its regressions rather than treating progress as simply good or bad. It uses the microwave oven and software design as examples, and advocates teaching critical analysis of historical choices in software and system design.

## Source excerpt

Here we go again -- another article arguing whether the past was better or not (this one says "better"). These articles are tiresome, rehashing the debate whether technology is enabling or isolating and dehumanizing. But I'm interested in a different line of technology criticism: which parts of technology are a regression and what to do about ... Continue reading Was the past better than now?