Lunduke
News • Science & Tech
The Apple Vision Pro: designed to make you less happy
Creepy. Dystopian. And more than a little like a drug dealer.
June 06, 2023
post photo preview

The Apple Vision Pro is a truly remarkable feat of engineering.  Both the hardware and software of this, undeniably, revolutionary device are nothing short of phenomenal.  I stand in awe of the technical wizardry on display by the team at Apple.

That said.

It is crystal clear that the Apple Vision Pro will make those who use it less happy.

And this is not a bug.  This is not a flaw that needs to be ironed out.  The fact that the Apple Vision Pro will make people sad is core to the very design of the device itself.

The fact that Apple will benefit from the sadness of its users, suggests -- rather strongly -- that this is not an accident.

Allow me to explain.

Apple Vision Pro takes away your eyes

When you strap the Apple Vision Pro onto your face -- which Apple is encouraging you to do "all day", even while talking with other people -- no other human can see your eyes.

The eyes are a gateway to the human soul.  Not being able to see the eyes of the person you are talking to takes away a core part of the experience.

In fact, the Vision Pro doesn't simply cover up your eyes... it displays a "Deep Fake", 3D rendered representation of what your eyes might look like to the screen on the outside of the Vision Pro.

Apple-Vision-Pro-Eyes.jpg?w=1024

Is it creepy?

Yes.  Undeniably creepy.  Disturbingly so.

But, even more importantly, it places a barrier between you and whoever you are talking to.  Removing one core piece of the human experience.  By design.

But Apple doesn't stop there.  No, sir.  That is only the beginning.

Apple removes YOU from video calls

The world of video conferencing has exploded over the last few years.  For better or worse, many of us make an awful lot of video calls -- for both work and personal reasons.

And, while these video calls may not be as personal as being, you know, actually in front of another person... they still have the benefit of showing real video of the person you are talking to.  You can see their eyes.  Their facial experessions.  You can see what they really look like.

A core feature of the Apple Vision Pro is to remove that video of you... and replace it with a 3D rendered Deep Fake of what you might look like.

Seriously.

digital-persona-header.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280

Your face is covered by the Vision Pro, no video camera is there to capture your true face.  So what does Apple send to those you are on a video call with?  A terribly creepy -- and absolutely not real -- rendering of "you".

If you are on a video conference call with 3 other people -- and each of you is using the Vision Pro -- you now have 4 people... looking at not real, Deep Fakes of each other.  Placing yet another barrier between you and all other humans.

Apple Vision Pro is designed to isolate you

You'll note that, in all of the features of the Vision Pro, Apple is providing functionality that is not entirely new.  These are not new things we can do because of the Vision Pro... merely new ways of doing the things we already have been doing for our entire lives.

Case in point: Watching a movie.

apple-vision-pro-wwdc-2023-10.png?p=1

Putting a movie on a big screen TV, sitting on the couch, and enjoying a bowl of popcorn with your family.  Or your date.  Or your friends.

That is a core experience of modern humanity.  One which allows us to be together, to share experiences with those we love, and -- importantly -- truly be there.

But watching a movie in the Vision Pro -- which, according to Apple, was designed for exactly this usage -- means that, when you glance over at your date, you can't see her eyes.  Nor can she see yours.

Everyone wearing the Vision Pro is in their own world.  Isolated.  Alone.

Apple provided, during their grand announcement of the Vision Pro, a number of other examples for how they expect you to utilise this ground breaking device.

Such as: Watching your children play.

apple_vision_pro_screen_059.jpg

Instead of playing with your kids -- and, possibly, holding a camera to take pictures or record some home movies of the occasion -- you are encouraged to strap the Vision Pro over your eyes... and watch.

The recorded video, Apple says, will be truly amazing.

So, later on, you will be able to enjoy the ultra-HD, spacial, 3D-ish video of you not playing with your kids.

You will marvel at the stunning picture of that time when you could have engaged in one of the core human activities... but, luckily, Apple helped you avoid that heart-warming time with your children.

Also, when your kids look up at you, they won't see your eyes.  They will see a Deep Fake, dystopian rendering of what Daddy's eyes might look like.

Which definitely won't give your kids nightmares.

Vision Pro.  All day.  Even at work.

"But," I hear many of you saying.  "You don't need to use the Vision Pro all the time!  Just some times!"

That's not the way Apple is positioning it.

In fact, Apple repeatedly declared that their goal is to use the Vision Pro all day long.  Playing with your kids.  Watching movies.  Playing video games.  On video calls.  Walking around outside.

And even at work.

IMG_0058.jpeg

Just the same.

Even if the usage of the Vision Pro is limited to no more than 2 hours per day... that's still two hours where you are that much more cut off from all of humanity -- both those in the same room as you, and those are you on a video call with across the world.

Seeing Dad's eyes replaced with Deep Fake renderings, even for just a few hours, is already deeply disturbing.

This is some seriously dystopian future stuff here.  This is the type of technology that oh-so-many Sci-Fi stories warned us about.  Where technology -- advanced and impressive -- would cut us off from those around us.

Groups of people, sitting together, but not actually together.  Separated by the high tech wizardry strapped to their faces.

Each person, becoming increasingly sad... increasing unsatisfied with their life.  Yearning for any small hit of Dopamine they can get -- from a virtual "reward" or "trophy".  From a person sending them a digital "sticker".  From purchasing additional features, games, videos, and other consumables.

All in an endless quest to find some sense of happiness that would be found... by simply removing the device on their face.

Who benefits from this sadness?  Apple.

Make people sad, then charge them to get small doses of happiness.

This is not a new business strategy.

Facebook, Twitter, and other mass-Social Medial services have exploited exactly this model for years.  And where did they learn it?  From drug dealers.

Apple is merely the latest company to recognize the vast profits possible by making people sad, hooking them on the very source of the sadness (which will give them little doses of artificial happiness), and then charging them for it.

Subscriptions to Apple services.  Purchases on the new Apple Vision App Store.  Purchasing of additional Vision Pro's (and other Apple devices) so that those around you can "enjoy it with you".

Just like drug dealers.


Side note: I also discuss this problem in the latest episode of Lunduke's Big Tech Show.

community logo
Join the Lunduke Community
To read more articles like this, sign up and join my community today
46
What else you may like…
Videos
Podcasts
Posts
Articles
October 29, 2025
KDE Says X Users Are Nazis

GNOME & Fedora call Jews "Nazis". Canonical, Debian, & GNOME call XLibre "Nazis". NixOS calls Conservatives "Nazis". And now KDE says Elon Musk, and all X users, are "Nazis".

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:18:42
October 28, 2025
Python Says Discriminatory DEI Policies More Important Than $1.5 Million Dollars

The Python Software Foundation has turned down a $1.5 Million Dollar grant from the US government, as it would require them to cease discriminatory Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion practices.

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:19:23
October 27, 2025
$20,000 Bounty Offered to Bribe FFmpeg Team to Fire Contributor

A popular YouTuber named Theo Browne offered $20k to the Open Source FFmpeg team if they remove their social media person, who Theo calls a "motherf***er".

The X Thread:
https://x.com/LundukeJournal/status/1982569289237352620

More from The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.com/

00:26:32
November 22, 2023
The futility of Ad-Blockers

Ads are filling the entirety of the Web -- websites, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc. -- at an increasing rate. Prices for those ad placements are plummeting. Consumers are desperate to use ad-blockers to make the web palatable. Google (and others) are desperate to break and block ad-blockers. All of which results in... more ads and lower pay for creators.

It's a fascinatingly annoying cycle. And there's only one viable way out of it.

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links? Check here:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

The futility of Ad-Blockers
November 21, 2023
openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"

Those in power with openSUSE make it clear they will not allow me anywhere near anything related to the openSUSE project. Ever. For any reason.

Well, that settles that, then! Guess I won't be contributing to openSUSE! 🤣

Looking for the Podcast RSS feed or other links?
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4619051/lunduke-journal-link-central-tm

Give the gift of The Lunduke Journal:
https://lunduke.locals.com/post/4898317/give-the-gift-of-the-lunduke-journal

openSUSE says "No Lunduke allowed!"
September 13, 2023
"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

This episode is free for all to enjoy and share.

Be sure to subscribe here at Lunduke.Locals.com to get all shows & articles (including interviews with other amazing nerds).

"Andreas Kling creator of Serenity OS & Ladybird Web Browser" - Lunduke’s Big Tech Show - September 13th, 2023 - Ep 044

An internet time machine!!!

October 29, 2025

Summary, everybody told to "learn to code" did it, and moved up the ranks to middle management. Are being purged.

Tens of Thousands of White-Collar Jobs Are Disappearing as AI Starts to Bite
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careers/tens-of-thousands-of-white-collar-jobs-are-disappearing-as-ai-starts-to-bite/ar-AA1Pnvre

October 29, 2025

Proof slot-loading is eternal.

post photo preview
50% Off The Lunduke Journal through Oct 31

Holy moly, there’s a lot of new Free Subscribers to The Lunduke Journal!

As a way of saying “Welcome!” to all of you new people, here’s a little (well… big) discount on full subscriptions.

50% off all types of Subscriptions (Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime) through October 31st (Friday).

All of these discounted Subscriptions come with all of the perks:

  • DRM-Free MP4 Downloads of all videos.

  • Full access to the exclusive forum.

  • And a bunch of nerdy eBooks.

Scroll down. Pick whichever subscription type makes sense to you — ranging from a $3 monthly sub… to a Lifetime subscription (I highly recommend picking one up, it is so choice).

Then grab some of those perks and pat yourself on the back for keeping truly independent, Big-Tech free Tech Journalism alive and kicking!

50% Off Yearly or Monthly Subscriptions:

Available via both Locals and Substack. (This includes full access the community Forum, and all other perks.)

That means $3 / Month. Or $27 / Year (which works out to $2.25 / Month).

Via Lunduke.Locals.com:

Via Lunduke.Substack.com:

Note: You can also grab a Monthly subscription via X, YouTube, or Patreon. There’s no way to offer a discount on those platforms. But those are still good options!

The Famous Lifetime Subscription:

The “World Famous Lunduke Journal Lifetime Subscription” is exactly what it sounds like. Pay once and get full access to The Lunduke Journal. For life.

Now, through Monday, October 31st, you can snag one at a crazy discount. Normally these are $300… but you can grab one for $150. (You can also pay more if you’d like to donate a little extra.)

The Lifetime Subscription can be obtained via Locals, Substack, or using Bitcoin. All three options work great and are super easy (& all three include access to all of the perks). Scroll down and choose your option.

Note: The Lifetime Subscription only applies to Substack and Locals. Other platforms (such as X, Patreon, & YouTube) do not provide the functionality necessary to create Lifetime Subscriptions.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Locals:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Locals.com/support.

  2. Select “Give Once“.

  3. Enter “150“ (or more) into the amount field.

  4. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

How to get a Lifetime Subscription via Substack:

  1. Go to Lunduke.Substack.com/subscribe.

  2. Select the “Lifetime Subscription” option.

  3. After checking out, Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status. (This usually happens within a few hours.)

If you would also like full, Lifetime access to Lunduke.Locals.com (which is included):

  1. Make a free account on Lunduke.Locals.com.

  2. Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the email address you use on both Substack and Locals (can be different email addresses).

  3. Lunduke will toss you an email once your account is set to full lifetime status on Locals.

How to get a Lifetime Subscription with Bitcoin:

You can also obtain a Lifetime Subscription via Bitcoin.

bc1qyjakve8fywm8pz2v99v57yhjj0vzr2vjze6fcq

  • Email “bryan at lunduke.com” with the following information: What time you made the transaction, how much was sent (in Bitcoin), and the email address you use (or plan to use) on Locals.com or Substack.com (or both).

No matter which type of subscription you choose, thank you for your support! Every subscription goes directly towards keeping The Lunduke Journal running well into the future.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
October 15, 2025
post photo preview
The Unpublished Anti-Lunduke Hit-Piece
A Tech Journalist interviewed me for a hit-piece article. But the questions made them look bad, and they shelved the story. So I'm publishing their hit-piece for them.

Back in September, shortly after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I was contacted by a Tech Journalist writing for FossForce.com (a smaller, Open Source focused publication) who was working on an article around Open Source, Antifa, and the Lunduke Journal’s coverage of those topics.

This particular outlet had, several months prior, run an “anti-Lunduke” hit piece without first reaching out for comment — which resulted in their most popular article (at least on social media) in quite some time.

With that in mind, it seemed reasonable that they’d want to repeat that success with another “anti-Lunduke” story.

This time they were doing the responsible thing. They reached out to the subject of the hit-piece article with questions. I like encouraging Tech Journalists when they do actual journalism, so I answered each and every query with easy-to-quote responses.

But, it would appear that the answers they received were not conducive to creating the hit-piece they were hoping for — my guess is they realized their questions made them look like the villain in the story. The villain they, clearly, hoped to portray me as.

They opted to not publish the piece.

So I’m publishing their hit-piece for them.

Below is every question — and every answer (with no edits) — which I was asked, on September 19th, by a Tech Journalist by the name of Christine Hall, writing for FossForce.

Fair warning: This is very, very politically charged.

Enjoy.


September 19th

Hall:

The last time I mentioned you in an article, you castigated me for not reaching out to you beforehand. Well, I’m reaching out now. We’ll see what comes of this.

You do recognize that the vast majority of organizations using the term antifa as a descriptor are not in the least bit terrorist and pose no threat to society -- and indeed, the only threats they might pose to fascist groups are not physical or life-harming?

Lunduke:

Hello Christine! Nice to hear from you!

Many, if not most, of those proclaiming support for Antifa (within Open Source) have also made statements encouraging or supporting violence and discrimination.

Regardless of that fact -- which I have documented extensively in Lunduke Journal coverage -- when violent acts are committed (such as murder, riots, and lynchings) in the name of “Antifa”, to turn around and immediately declare yourself to be “Antifa” is a clear declaration of support of that violence.

Hall:

And why did you feel it necessary to call out Danielle Foré’s [the founder of the elementary OS Linux Distribution] trans status in such an ugly manner?

Lunduke:

There is a noteworthy overlap between “Trans activism” and support for political violence -- including in the recent murder of Charlie Kirk (the murderer’s boyfriend was “Trans”).

In the case of Daniel Fore, he, a leader of an Open Source project, regularly calls for discrimination (and violence) against people he disagrees with -- often in conjunction with his self-declaration as “Trans”.

Thus, his declaration of being “Trans” becomes a part of the overall story.

It is worth noting here that The Lunduke Journal has never -- and would never -- call for discrimination or violence against someone because of how they identify or who they may (or may not) vote for.

This is in stark contrast those, such as Mr. Fore, who consider themselves “Trans” or “Antifa” -- who actively advocate for both discrimination and violence.

Hall:

Mentioning a person’s trans status in ways that are pertinent to your argument necessates rudeness such as calling her a “dude who likes to wear dresses”?

Lunduke:

Dan Fore is, in fact, a dude who likes to wear dresses.

The only reason to view that as a negative is if you view dudes wearing dresses as a negative.

Hall:

I’ll quote you on that, which I’m pretty sure won’t bother you in the least.

Lunduke:

Absolutely! Quote anything I say here. In fact, I suggest quoting absolutely everything I’ve written to you here, today.

Hall:

You also understand, don’t you, that voicing disagreement with an assessment made by POTUS is not only legal but a healthy part of the national dialog.

Lunduke:

Absolutely! Did I say somewhere that it was illegal to disagree with a politician? It seems unlikely that I have ever said that.

Hall:

Also, how would you reply to this:

There have been very few murders linked to individuals associated with Antifa, some incidents of rioting attributed to Antifa supporters, and no credible evidence of lynchings conducted in the name of Antifa. Compared to far-right groups, violence attributed to Antifa is much less frequent and lethal, with only one suspected kill—Aaron Danielson in Portland, by an anti-fascist activist—officially confirmed in recent U.S. history.

Lunduke:

Murder is bad. I am opposed to all murder.

In the context of these discussions, bearing in mind the Kirk murder is important (as many statements were made in response to it). The murderer of Kirk appears to have been pro-Trans and pro-Antifa (based on all available information).

Hall:

Is there any evidence that the suspect was part of an antifa group? I haven’t seen any.

Lunduke:

I have seen some reporting to this effect (including statements from family and messages he wrote).

But, far more important to this story, is the response to the murder among Antifa supporters (including those within Open Source). A large portion of Antifa supporters have celebrated the murder as justified because it killed someone they considered to be a “fascist”.

Hall:

Also, no group should be held responsible for what some deranged person who identifies with the group has done.

Lunduke:

I agree that a broader group should not be held responsible for the actions of a small number of individuals.

However, and this is critically important, it is entirely appropriate to hold people responsible for their own statements and actions.

With that in mind: The overall messaging of Antifa (and Antifa supporters) tends heavily towards violence. Punching, killing, molotov cocktails, etc. are all common messaging used by Antifa (including by those I quote within the Open Source world -- many of whom have advocated violence against myself).

Advocating for violence, then celebrating when violence is committed, are not good things.

Yet we see a great deal of that among Open Source supporters of Antifa.

Read full Article
October 13, 2025
Sale ends in a few hours, Lifetime Subs set up.

Holy moly, you guys are amazing.

A few days ago I published a “50% off” sale for Lunduke Journal subscriptions… and all of you showed up. In a big way.

To everyone who grabbed a Lifetime Subscription over the last few days: All of you are set to full Lifetime access. You should have a confirmation email in your inbox. If not, email me and I’ll make sure you’re setup properly.

That “50% off” sale ends tonight at midnight. So you have a few hours to snag a discounted subscription, if you haven’t already.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports this work. Couldn’t do it without you.

-Lunduke

Read full Article
See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals