This blog post recounts a humorous anecdote about the author's father's struggles with technology. The father, while housesitting, diligently followed the author's complex instructions for operating a sous vide cooker to prepare soft-boiled eggs. However, he misinterpreted the instructions, believing the external temperature controller was itself a cooking device, diligently placing eggs directly on top of it. The resulting mess and the father's earnest attempt to follow the confusing instructions highlight the generational gap in technological understanding and the often-comical misunderstandings that can arise.
In the deeply personal and humorously recounted anecdote "Dad and the Egg Controller (2018)," the author, Ben Kuhn, narrates a charmingly frustrating technological encounter experienced by his father while attempting to operate a smart home device – specifically, a smart light switch intended to control the kitchen lights, whimsically dubbed the "egg controller" due to its ovular shape. The story unfolds during a visit by Kuhn to his parents' home, where he discovers his father grappling with the nuances of the technologically advanced light switch.
The narrative centers around the father's repeated and increasingly exasperated attempts to extinguish the kitchen lights using the touch-sensitive interface of the egg controller. Despite multiple efforts employing various tapping techniques, the lights stubbornly refuse to switch off. The father's growing frustration is palpable, manifesting in a litany of humorous pronouncements about the device's supposed malfunction and general technological incompetence.
Kuhn, observing this technological struggle, interjects with an explanation of the egg controller's operation, patiently elucidating the requirement of a prolonged touch rather than the rapid taps his father had been employing. This intervention, however, is met with initial resistance, as the father, entrenched in his established (albeit ineffective) method, expresses skepticism towards Kuhn's explanation.
The crux of the narrative lies in the generational divide in technological understanding and the father's inherent mistrust of overly complex gadgetry. The egg controller serves as a microcosm of this divide, highlighting the father's preference for traditional, straightforward interfaces and his difficulty adapting to the often opaque functionalities of modern smart devices.
After some back-and-forth, punctuated by the father's continued pronouncements of the egg controller's deficiency, Kuhn physically demonstrates the correct operation of the device, finally achieving the desired outcome of turning off the lights. This demonstration, although successful in its immediate objective, fails to entirely convince the father, who remains unconvinced of the egg controller's practicality and expresses a continued preference for conventional light switches.
The anecdote concludes with a reflection on the broader implications of the encounter, suggesting that the father's resistance to the egg controller is not merely a matter of technological ineptitude, but rather a reflection of a deeper philosophical stance – a skepticism towards the increasing complexity and often unnecessary sophistication of modern technology. The egg controller, in this context, becomes a symbol of the sometimes frustrating and often comical clash between tradition and innovation, between the familiar comfort of the old and the perplexing intricacies of the new.
Summary of Comments ( 16 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43806691
HN users largely enjoyed the humorous and relatable anecdote about the author's father and his obsession with the "egg controller" (actually a thermostat). Several commenters shared similar stories of their own parents' technological misunderstandings, reinforcing the universal theme of generational differences in tech literacy. Some questioned the authenticity, finding it a bit too perfect, while others pointed out details like the egg controller likely being a Ranco controller, commonly used for incubators and other temperature-sensitive applications. A few expressed appreciation for the author's writing style and the heartwarming nature of the story.
The Hacker News post titled "Dad and the Egg Controller (2018)" has several comments discussing the linked article about a father's elaborate solution to managing a household egg supply.
Many commenters express appreciation for the father's ingenuity and dedication to solving a seemingly mundane problem. They admire his creative approach and the effort he put into designing and building the egg controller. Some see it as a quintessential example of "over-engineering," a common theme on Hacker News, but appreciate it nonetheless. The blend of hardware and software, along with the detailed documentation, is a point of interest for several readers.
Several comments focus on the technical aspects of the project. Some discuss the choice of technology, suggesting alternative approaches or improvements to the father's design. For instance, one commenter suggests using load cells instead of the lever system for more accurate weight measurement. Others discuss the potential for integrating the system with smart home technology. The use of a Raspberry Pi and Python is also a topic of conversation, with some commenters sharing their own experiences with similar projects.
A few comments reflect on the humorous aspect of the story, finding the father's dedication both amusing and endearing. They appreciate the lighthearted nature of the project and the way it highlights the quirks of family life.
Some commenters discuss the broader implications of such projects, touching on topics like the maker movement, the satisfaction of building things oneself, and the value of teaching children about technology. One commenter even draws a parallel to the Apollo Guidance Computer, highlighting the ingenuity and complexity that can be found in seemingly simple projects.
The discussion also delves into the practicalities of egg storage, with commenters sharing their own methods for managing their egg supply. Some debate the merits of different storage techniques, while others offer tips for keeping eggs fresh.
Overall, the comments on the Hacker News post express a mix of admiration, amusement, and technical curiosity. They demonstrate the community's appreciation for ingenuity, problem-solving, and the occasional over-engineered solution to everyday problems.