Clips of the “epic conversation” (rambling, blokey chat) Rolling Stone orchestrated between Harry Styles and Thom Yorke keep appearing online, and none more often than the one in which Styles declared his laptop has been dead for about six years. “I don’t know where the charger is,” Styles laughed, prompting a predictable rash of “his computer is NOT OK” jokes from 6 Music dads everywhere.

Is this charmingly relatable, or … not? One personal finance influencer declared it “a deeply unlikeable clip”, seeing it as the kind of tech-free flex you can get away with only if you are rich and famous. It’s true that the ability to protect your peace by withdrawing from the brain-liquefying churn of online life is a privilege inaccessible to most people, who need tech to function and earn a living. Opting out means delegating digital drudgery to other people: Christopher Nolan’s determination not to have email must be a massive pain for his entourage. I bet Ed Sheeran not having a smartphone is extremely inconvenient, too – someone else must always have to put the hotel into Google Maps, arrange the Deliveroo dinner and order the Uber.

This dead laptop business does feel slightly disingenuous – Styles could have an entire Apple store delivered if he fancies a tech upgrade. But I’m inclined to feel more tolerant. He says he uses his phone to write songs, and maybe there is an element of overwhelm at play? I’m always losing cables and procrastinating over tech issues. “I don’t understand why you’re waiting for it to die when you’ll really be in trouble,” my husband said crossly to me this morning as I fought to turn off my ancient phone, which had decided once again that typing was forbidden. But I’m filled with dread and confusion at the thought of replacing it (what model, how many GBs, must I engage with the Cloud?) and my life isn’t too busy or demanding; I can’t imagine what it’s like when you are a global icon on a world tour.

So, in case he is floundering not flexing – Harry, check your sock drawer. That’s where I found my charger last time I lost it.

• Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist

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