Lost In Town Technology
Lost In Town Town Technology
Technology has changed immensely over the years - especially since 1996! And I'm pointing the spotlight on 1996 because I personally was seemingly much more comfortable with what we were excited about back then... Technology wise. I mean come on.... the DVD player debuted in 1996! And there were still little shops around the corner offering to repair that old point and shoot camera and dad's obnoxiously huge camcorder! Is it just me, or does anyone else kinda miss dropping off that 35mm film only to wait a few days till it's in your sweaty little palms and about to join that ginormous sticky page album that was becoming so overly stuffed that it served as a booster seat at Thanksgiving? Y'all know what I'm talking about!
My goodness I was absolutely blown away the other day when I plugged my son's alarm clock in and it 'magically' set itself! Correct time! Correct date! The look on my face as I questioned this voodoo with my son was priceless! And he very tactfully reminded me that we've already been to the moon as well! You see, I'm stuck...... stuck in a sense that I was much more comfortable "back in the day" than I am now. I've the ability to learn, to adapt, try it on for size, etc...... but I'm completely overwhelmed and stomping my little feet arguing, "I just don't wanna!"
A very lengthy road trip brought us to the big city and it was time to feed the heard. This was by far the most baffling trip to McDonald's in my life! Replacing the cashiers were these rather large TV looking screens in which (oh yes, my boys had to explain this thoroughly) you placed your own order and paid for it right there! Then this utterly exhausted little man shuffles around calling out numbers.....non-stop! A number? Was I supposed to have a number, I thought? Did this big TV thing not print out some kind of ticket? I was lost, but still keen..... from behind this plexiglass prison spit out 3 utterly exhausted workers literally hauling bags upon bags of food...... that was ours! So you're telling me that a robot pretty much took my order?
I couldn't help, but to think of all the "new and exciting" technology that I've been going forehead to forehead with lately. A touchscreen fountain soda machine? Self-driving cars? These little boxes that sit on your table and share what the weather's gonna be like today? Hell, I can't even fathom the idea that a refrigerator can note that we're low on milk! And this 'Alexa' had to of graduated top of her class at some fancy school like Harvard, because she doesn't even need a few minutes to think!
Oh yes, I too shared the excitement when smartphones hit the scene! Guilty as charged I was in complete 'awe' of this handheld device that can not only make my life a little easier, but I was cool now! Thanks to the smartphone...... I'm sure I'm not the only one with a big box in the attic just full of random gadgets that the smartphone replaced...... point and shoot cameras, camcorders, that fancy dashboard GPS I just had to have, flashlights, a couple of PDA's, digital alarm clocks, and a handful of MP3 players..... the list goes on!
Though I do try to share the excitement of new technology, I'm wandering around lost. I guess I've the mindset of...."Well, it worked just fine before, why change it?" One could argue that it's continued to improve our lives, keeping us more connected to information, entertainment, and each other. And though so much of that is noted and truthful, one could argue just the opposite. My argument however, is that technology today is causing us to sort of let go of what makes us human.
Think about it..... we've forgotten how we're supposed to treat one another (with kindness, patience, compassion, etc) because we don't even really need to physically be around anyone anymore! I personally would rather hand pick the flowers and deliver them myself to my neighbor and share an empathetic hug.....instead of typing, clicking, and sending. I miss that little bit of conversation at the grocery store with the clerk, who has now been replaced by a self check-out. But technology (and this smartphone) allows us to order food and have it dropped off, watch new movies, shop for groceries, work from home, obtain an education, and even see a doctor! Not only all of that, but we can even make friends online! With all this social media at our fingertips, we can be anything! We can be anybody! Back in the day we were accused of being couch potatoes...... today we're actually developing carpal tunnel from holding our devices too long!
Someone could argue that there's still a need for human interaction today, for example..... a young lady may like to have her nails done. Or you're itching for that new tattoo. Or your cars making a horrible grinding noise...etc.... but look at how many people are now watching videos online and/or reading "how to" instructions, ordering (just a click away) the components desired, and doing it themselves! We no longer need to ask the neighbor to share some advice or expertise on our newest project when that Alexa gal has all the answers!
I just feel that we're losing our human nature, because we've literally developed a system that allows us to sit on the couch and rule the world!
Without giving away my age.... I can tell you that 3 of my babies have become teenagers and I'm fighting the good fight when it comes to 'screen time'. I want them to gather up their friends and spend the day fishing. I want them to come home filthy from head to toe worn out from the fresh air and sunshine. I wanna dig dried out worms from their pants pockets and hear about who got pushed in! I want my boys to know what turning the pages of a book feels like, the gratitude from holding a door open for someone, and spend a day building a lemonade stand for their little brother. I want them to adapt properly to all the wonderful things technology has to offer us, but remain human first and foremost. As for me, wandering around a bit overwhelmed and lost at times....... if my neighbor isn't home, I guess I'll have to ask Alexa!
Technology has changed immensely over the years - especially since 1996! And I'm pointing the spotlight on 1996 because I personally was seemingly much more comfortable with what we were excited about back then... Technology wise. I mean come on.... the DVD player debuted in 1996! And there were still little shops around the corner offering to repair that old point and shoot camera and dad's obnoxiously huge camcorder! Is it just me, or does anyone else kinda miss dropping off that 35mm film only to wait a few days till it's in your sweaty little palms and about to join that ginormous sticky page album that was becoming so overly stuffed that it served as a booster seat at Thanksgiving? Y'all know what I'm talking about!
My goodness I was absolutely blown away the other day when I plugged my son's alarm clock in and it 'magically' set itself! Correct time! Correct date! The look on my face as I questioned this voodoo with my son was priceless! And he very tactfully reminded me that we've already been to the moon as well! You see, I'm stuck...... stuck in a sense that I was much more comfortable "back in the day" than I am now. I've the ability to learn, to adapt, try it on for size, etc...... but I'm completely overwhelmed and stomping my little feet arguing, "I just don't wanna!"
A very lengthy road trip brought us to the big city and it was time to feed the heard. This was by far the most baffling trip to McDonald's in my life! Replacing the cashiers were these rather large TV looking screens in which (oh yes, my boys had to explain this thoroughly) you placed your own order and paid for it right there! Then this utterly exhausted little man shuffles around calling out numbers.....non-stop! A number? Was I supposed to have a number, I thought? Did this big TV thing not print out some kind of ticket? I was lost, but still keen..... from behind this plexiglass prison spit out 3 utterly exhausted workers literally hauling bags upon bags of food...... that was ours! So you're telling me that a robot pretty much took my order?
I couldn't help, but to think of all the "new and exciting" technology that I've been going forehead to forehead with lately. A touchscreen fountain soda machine? Self-driving cars? These little boxes that sit on your table and share what the weather's gonna be like today? Hell, I can't even fathom the idea that a refrigerator can note that we're low on milk! And this 'Alexa' had to of graduated top of her class at some fancy school like Harvard, because she doesn't even need a few minutes to think!
Oh yes, I too shared the excitement when smartphones hit the scene! Guilty as charged I was in complete 'awe' of this handheld device that can not only make my life a little easier, but I was cool now! Thanks to the smartphone...... I'm sure I'm not the only one with a big box in the attic just full of random gadgets that the smartphone replaced...... point and shoot cameras, camcorders, that fancy dashboard GPS I just had to have, flashlights, a couple of PDA's, digital alarm clocks, and a handful of MP3 players..... the list goes on!
Though I do try to share the excitement of new technology, I'm wandering around lost. I guess I've the mindset of...."Well, it worked just fine before, why change it?" One could argue that it's continued to improve our lives, keeping us more connected to information, entertainment, and each other. And though so much of that is noted and truthful, one could argue just the opposite. My argument however, is that technology today is causing us to sort of let go of what makes us human.
Think about it..... we've forgotten how we're supposed to treat one another (with kindness, patience, compassion, etc) because we don't even really need to physically be around anyone anymore! I personally would rather hand pick the flowers and deliver them myself to my neighbor and share an empathetic hug.....instead of typing, clicking, and sending. I miss that little bit of conversation at the grocery store with the clerk, who has now been replaced by a self check-out. But technology (and this smartphone) allows us to order food and have it dropped off, watch new movies, shop for groceries, work from home, obtain an education, and even see a doctor! Not only all of that, but we can even make friends online! With all this social media at our fingertips, we can be anything! We can be anybody! Back in the day we were accused of being couch potatoes...... today we're actually developing carpal tunnel from holding our devices too long!
Someone could argue that there's still a need for human interaction today, for example..... a young lady may like to have her nails done. Or you're itching for that new tattoo. Or your cars making a horrible grinding noise...etc.... but look at how many people are now watching videos online and/or reading "how to" instructions, ordering (just a click away) the components desired, and doing it themselves! We no longer need to ask the neighbor to share some advice or expertise on our newest project when that Alexa gal has all the answers!
I just feel that we're losing our human nature, because we've literally developed a system that allows us to sit on the couch and rule the world!
Without giving away my age.... I can tell you that 3 of my babies have become teenagers and I'm fighting the good fight when it comes to 'screen time'. I want them to gather up their friends and spend the day fishing. I want them to come home filthy from head to toe worn out from the fresh air and sunshine. I wanna dig dried out worms from their pants pockets and hear about who got pushed in! I want my boys to know what turning the pages of a book feels like, the gratitude from holding a door open for someone, and spend a day building a lemonade stand for their little brother. I want them to adapt properly to all the wonderful things technology has to offer us, but remain human first and foremost. As for me, wandering around a bit overwhelmed and lost at times....... if my neighbor isn't home, I guess I'll have to ask Alexa!
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