That's a fascinating take. Dark patterns as regressive tax, or equivalently, tech savviness as regressive credit.

Reminds me a bit of this old post: https://putanumonit.com/2018/08/09/jobs-inside-the-api/

It's not a matter of intelligence, but it's definitely a modern form of "street smarts".

"Series of tubes" smarts

Or for me, a tax for ADHD.

We all pay, you find harder to pay in attention instead of money, but either way it's a cost on society

i end up paying the higher price instead of attention which I do not have. just recently I got given a deliveroo voucher, which I added to my account. there's no way to figure out how much is left at any time, unless you're about to commit to an order. I ordered some food, thinking I'll pay with the free credit - nope, I missed the bit where you have to change the payment option from card to voucher credit.

> those smarter than you.

That’s such a terrible and unfair take.

Less tech savvy or more busy/tired people are not less smart than you. I can’t believe I actually have to put that in words.

Just wait until GP is retired and old, they will finally garner some sympathy because by then they will themselves be "a ... low capability individual".

I think OP used "..." because he has some sympathy. He could use better word than "smarter", but it is indeed a certain kind of smartness.

I am sure that when I will get old I will become less capable and I am worried about this. Because looking at birth rates and inverted population pyramids around me signify that I will be an old man in the sea of old people. A conman's dream I suppose. It is not that I don't have sympathy saying all this (just as I think OP thinks) for those other people, quite the opposite, because if I will live long enough I will be one of them.

This is why I have started booking flights for my less tech savvy parents. Theyre terrified of the dark patterns.

As I understand it American medical care is quite similar.

Late stage capitalism isnt much fun. Far too many forms.

I find myself reluctant to go to the doctor, dentist, etc. because I always feel like they're trying to upsell me on some bullshit, or doctors that split treatment into multiple 15 minute visits to squeeze me as much as possible.