Tech Savvy
Yes, I have
lost my tech savvy. “Lost” you ask? “Were you
ever tech savvy?”
Well yes,
kind-of.
I knew how
to whack the TV if it was doing that picture flip thing. I could adjust those rabbit ears and knew how
to use aluminum foil for improved reception.
I could
start a lawnmower with a pull cord when careful adjustment of the “choke” was
essential. I knew to add a few drops to
the carburetor to restart a car that had run out of gas. I could drive a stick shift and knew how to start a car by popping the clutch when the battery was toast. I could change a flat tire.
In my later
years I could fix a TV tuner with WD-40.
I knew how to split cable and wire it through out the house and not pay
the cable company for extra hook-ups.
Hell, I even used to program my VCR to tape one show while I was
watching another and even tape shows overnight while I was sleeping!
When
computers first made the scene at work, I quickly learned how to double click
and use a search engine. I was
proficient at several functions of Excel. I figured out email, and even used instant
messaging. Then suddenly technology
revved up and there was something new every day.
Young people
pick up the new stuff, because they need it at work and all their friends
use new tech, so they have to learn it.
I did not
need new tech in retirement and most of my friends were equally clueless. I now learn new technology only under duress,
like if I don’t figure it out, I can’t operate my car, use the radio or find my
way home.
I know how
to use my own TV cable system, but I am lost at my son’s house…I can’t even
turn the damn thing on.
I sometimes feel
pretty stupid about my lack of tech knowledge, but then I saw this video of
several teenagers trying to use a rotary phone.
Apparently
even the simplest things are not so simple if you have never seen them and have
no instructions on their use.
Well the kid couldn't figure out how to pull his pants up so I'm not surprised he couldn't figure out the rotary phone.
ReplyDeleteI struggle to maintain too. It moves fast doesn’t it.
ReplyDeleteI’ll Snapchat you later.
Lol, I asked to borrow my daughter's crock pot for a party and she looked at me and told me it runs on an app. I was like, OH Crap, forget it!
ReplyDeleteYou are still way more advanced than I am. If I didn't have Genius to do my technology bidding, I'd be living in a cave, watching shadows on the wall from the flickering fire. I DO know how to build a fire.
ReplyDeleteWe must be from the same generation. I used to be able to do all that stuff, too. Now? Pfffffttt.
ReplyDeleteIt helps that i still have twenty-somethings hanging around all of the time. If i don’t know how to do something, i just ask them.
ReplyDeleteOne man's technology is another man's what-the hell?!!
ReplyDeleteIt all comes down to whether or not you need or want something. If you do need or want, then you learn the processes necessary. I'm lucky enough to have a daughter who talks me through stuff and doesn't mind waiting while I write out the step-by-step process so I can follow it at home until I know what I am doing.
ReplyDeleteI just watched the little video and not one of them knows to pick up the handset before trying to dial.
ReplyDeleteI used to relish in the fact that I could do things hubby couldn't but that applies no longer. Now I relish in the fact that I can use a modern phone to get the services of experts.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh I love the video! You Too? Shoot I'll never forget the day my then 5 y/o grandson connected my wifi when I was still trying to figure it out! I was reading the little booklet and before I finished the first page BAM he had it connected. I think that is the moment that I realized I wasn't that good, technology wise and if it weren't for those child labor laws his butt would be in the workforce, dang it! :) Just kidding of course!
ReplyDeleteI can do a few things...like blog..but I have 2 remotes to run our TV and neither Jack nor I have the desire to try and figure out how to make it only 1 remote. Last night he accidentally hit a button and the screen went blank. We looked like deer in the headlights as we panicked trying to figure out how to fix it. Did you know randomly pushing buttons can fix stuff? Me neither! Thankfully that worked.
ReplyDeleteI'm OK but smart phones leave me cold. I refuse to go there but then I don't have cell service so I guess that is a good excuse.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a TV in my home since a watcher had to actually get off the couch & walk to the machine & select a channel, and so have never mastered the multiple remote conundrum. My 4-yo g'kid could work their double remotes fluently, without error; I got only snowy screens when I tried. ...and they all gave up on me & quit asking me to do it. And that was ok by me. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut. I CAN drive a stick shift, so I'll be king if they ever start manufacturing those again. (I can also sew on buttons, and darn socks. For whatever that's worth....)