this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2025
662 points (99.1% liked)

A Boring Dystopia

13103 readers
345 users here now

Pictures, Videos, Articles showing just how boring it is to live in a dystopic society, or with signs of a dystopic society.

Rules (Subject to Change)

--Be a Decent Human Being

--Posting news articles: include the source name and exact title from article in your post title

--If a picture is just a screenshot of an article, link the article

--If a video's content isn't clear from title, write a short summary so people know what it's about.

--Posts must have something to do with the topic

--Zero tolerance for Racism/Sexism/Ableism/etc.

--No NSFW content

--Abide by the rules of lemmy.world

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Guests report getting billed hundreds of dollars for smoking, based on the readings of an "algorithmic" smoke detector. The sensor manufacturer markets its product as a way for hotels to unlock new revenue streams.

See also: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/cobb-county/marietta-hotel-fined-women-hundreds-smoking-they-say-other-activities-tripped-sensors/WPFWFT7INFGOLHR4HSQK7YIOKY/

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] dangling_cat@lemmy.blahaj.zone 80 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Sounds like an easy lawsuit. Record the entire stay, test different variables like a hair dryer, candle, fan, soldering smoke, medical equipment like nebulizer, steamer, etc. If they fine you, simply find a lawyer and request a $5M settlement fee. Boom, early retirement.

[–] michaelmrose@lemmy.world 8 points 1 day ago (1 children)

You can win actual damages and your lawyers fees in most instances. Because there is no meaningful payday in the offing you will have to spend ~100 in small claims or $5000-$50,000 in real big boy court and you will win for yourself.... $500. Where on earth are you getting $5M. Large settlements are normally because lots and lots of people are damaged in small amounts, someone's life was destroyed, or the case was uber complicated and ended up taking years of expensive lawyers.

In case 1 and 3 only the lawyers make out like bandits. In the second case you earn a bunch of money because your life is ruined.

[–] dandelion@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 1 day ago

also, who has the time and money to bail on work, pay upfront for hotel rooms and lawyers, and do this? I mean, someone - but probablynot enough people to make large corporations that worried about it, though I could be wrong about that.