Re:Amazon Echo Flex: Microphone mute button appears to be re...
by cmiles74 on Tuesday January 12, 2021 @11:25AM
(#25749038)
I disagree with the idea that people, on average, take the word of business or corporate entities on faith. In the US we have organizations that vet drugs and medication (FDA) as well as to verify the safety of foods (USDA). I believe most US states license restaurants and have a process to ensure they aren't poisoning customers.
In my opinion, it's only in the case of electronic and software products where we are supposed to take so much functioning of the device on faith. Perhaps this is a bad idea and we need an organization to vet these products as well.
Still, this is not how humans usually interact. I trust there is no poison in my food without analysing it, I trust people to no shot me as I walk in the street, I trust the shopkeeper to accept that I have paid if the card reader says so… As ethno points out [1], some social work is needed here for our collective trust no to be misguided. Crucially, if the social work to buy trust does no exist, it entirely falls on you.
I consider myself that trusting the Echo (or other home assistance devices) is too much work for the meager benefit it provides.
[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25747404