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81yo Dodgers fan can no longer get tickets because he doesn't have a smartphone (twitter.com)

367 points by josephcsible · 146 days ago · 478 comments on HN

Article summary

An 81-year-old Dodgers fan is having trouble getting tickets because he doesn't have a smartphone, which is now required to access tickets. The fan has been a season ticket holder for many years, but the new system is causing him difficulties. The issue highlights the challenges faced by those who are not tech-savvy or do not have access to smartphones. The situation has sparked a discussion about accessibility and the need for alternative methods for ticket access.

Main themes

  • Ticketing system accessibility
  • Smartphone requirement
  • Technological exclusion
  • Age and technology
  • Ticket counterfeiting prevention

What commenters say

  • The requirement for a smartphone to access tickets is exclusionary and unfair to those who are not tech-savvy or do not have access to smartphones.
  • The fan's age and lack of smartphone experience are not valid excuses for not being able to access tickets, and he should have learned to use a smartphone by now.
  • The ticketing system's reliance on smartphones is a form of ableism, and alternative methods should be available for those who are not able to use smartphones.
  • The need to prevent ticket counterfeiting is a valid reason for the smartphone requirement, but it should not come at the expense of accessibility for all fans.
  • The issue highlights a broader problem of societal exclusion of those who are not able to keep up with technological advancements.
  • A possible solution could be to offer alternative methods for ticket access, such as printable tickets or will-call pickup, for those who are not able to use smartphones.
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act should be extended to protect people who are not technologically-abled, and provide reasonable accommodations for them.
  • Being a luddite or choosing not to use technology is not a protected class and should not be accommodated by the ticketing system.