Rant - technology is not going to go away.

house_cat · ‎03-09-2010

My husband's friend was just here for the last two hours. He's much younger than we are - 45 years old. He's a smart man, yet completely computer illiterate. I've set up email for him twice already and helped him out of numerous iPhone quagmires. Today I had to help him fill out an online application for employment disability - he's having hernia surgery.

He says he wants nothing to do with it all, but he has three grown daughters who communicate with him through text and photos, so he does need to have a phone. I don't understand why some otherwise intelligent people think they can ignore technology. Do they think it's going to go away?

My mom retired at 60 years old and one of the reasons was that they changed the entire office system and brought in computers. She had no interest in learning it and I think for that reason, her employer was happy to see her go.

She never learned to log into a computer or use email. She lived 31 years after retirement, in which time technology changed a lot. I think she missed out by not embracing it. My dad on the other hand loved to learn new things. I think it is partly why his cognitive functioning never declined until his dying day.

I spoke to my 89 year old aunt last weekend. When I called, I asked her if I was interrupting anything. She said, "No, sweetie, I was just watching Perry Como on YouTube". 💕

~ house cat ~

Goldengate8361 · ‎01-27-2014

Different strokes for different folks. (Is that the phrase?)

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

@house_cat wrote:
My husband's friend was just here for the last two hours. He's much younger than we are - 45 years old. He's a smart man, yet completely computer illiterate. I've set up email for him twice already and helped him out of numerous iPhone quagmires. Today I had to help him fill out an online application for employment disability - he's having hernia surgery.

He says he wants nothing to do with it all, but he has three grown daughters who communicate with him through text and photos, so he does need to have a phone. I don't understand why some otherwise intelligent people think they can ignore technology. Do they think it's going to go away?

My mom retired at 60 years old and one of the reasons was that they changed the entire office system and brought in computers. She had no interest in learning it and I think for that reason, her employer was happy to see her go.

She never learned to log into a computer or use email. She lived 31 years after retirement, in which time technology changed a lot. I think she missed out by not embracing it. My dad on the other hand loved to learn new things. I think it is partly why his cognitive functioning never declined until his dying day.

I spoke to my 89 year old aunt last weekend. When I called, I asked her if I was interrupting anything. She said, "No, sweetie, I was just watching Perry Como on YouTube". 💕

I think you might be too nice, and next time direct him to his kids for help

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

@house_cat wrote:
He's a smart man, yet completely computer illiterate. I've set up email for him twice already and helped him out of numerous iPhone quagmires. Today I had to help him fill out an online application for employment disability - he's having hernia surgery.

He says he wants nothing to do with it all, but he has three grown daughters who communicate with him through text and photos, so he does need to have a phone. I don't understand why some otherwise intelligent people think they can ignore technology. Do they think it's going to go away?

A. He IS a smart man. He’s having you do everything for him.🙃

B. (technology) going to go away? Nope...you’re still here for him.

From the tone of your post, you’re not upset with him, yes?

Just speaking in generalities?

Sounds like he’s channeling Blanche Dubois (Streetcar Named Desire).

“I’ve always depended on the kindness of strangers.”

Some people are just like that....like a little broken winged bird.

And yes, I’d probably help him, as you did. It’s in our DNA, yes?!

blackhole99 · ‎08-22-2013

45 is too young to not be on the technology band wagon. I am amazed at how tech savvy my 35 year old son is and he's self taught.The computer science course he took in college did little to prepare him for what real world technology was all about. I guess you just have to interested in it and your young friend is not.

Mom2Dogs · ‎03-09-2010

@house_cat ....I sort of understand your friend....sometimes I feel the same way, but I do enjoy learning new things so I have self taught all the programs I use on my computer (graphics as well)...at work.

I do not have a smart phone because I am 'afraid' of them, ha, ha!! I have no one to help me...your friend should really, really appreciate you.

RoughDraft · ‎03-09-2010

He does seem young for someone who's computer-phobic. I gather his job/occupation doesn't call for any technological expertise, but who knows how long he'll be in that situation?

I learned on my own, because like many of us, our jobs decided to go tech and it wound up in our laps to learn or else. I remember the first time I sat down to type a letter and I broke out in a sweat! lol

Over a short period of time, I mastered the devil without blowing up the room and that was on an in-house system devised by my boss who fancied himself a computer genius (more like a Dr. Frankenstein).

In a short time, I was designing forms for the clinic, doing art work an teaching the rest of the staff.

~The only difference between this place and the Titanic is that the Titanic had a band.~

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I have a very good friend much younger the I am. She has lots of money, retired a few years ago, bla bla.

She just got caller ID because the phone company had to “redo” something...whatever.

She has had the same flip phone since they came out. It doesn’t take pictures or get or send texts. It’s unbelievably thick.

She’s always out of the loop ( her words) of what her family is doing because they send out group texts, etc.

She has a car that’s similar to mine but she won’t let me show her all of the things it can do.

It’s so frustrating when I think “ I’ll just text her I’ll be a few minutes late.” Instead, I have to call her and then we end up having a lengthy conversation about me being late, etc.

I’ve offered to go with her to get a new phone ( she can easily afford it), but she says she’s too intimidated by them. This woman was a secretary for the government so I know she knows something about computers. She’s intelligent and can easily learn if she’d just try!

She always says “ Who taught you”? I said “ No one”.

Then I hold up my pointer finger and say “ you see this? I just push the buttons trial and error.”

It’s hard to break a computer by pushing buttons. There are so many people on YouTube who are eager to post ‘how to’s”. That’s what I do. Plus I ask my grandchildren, they’re all teenagers. They post on you tube...Ha!

If I can do it, anyone can. My husband owned a large computer company in the 70’s -90’s. When personal small laptops came out he was bored and sold the company.

He died in 2004, I often think of the changes that have happened since then. I wonder what he’d think of all this. My family is very into computers, etc.

I don’t understand why people don’t enjoy some of the latest innovations. Use your head for safety, but also enjoy and make life easier.

house_cat · ‎03-09-2010

@Annabellethecat66

Amen. I couldn't have said it better myself.

~ house cat ~

Desertdi · ‎03-13-2010

Well...........I have to say...........that cars drive me NUTZ. I do not need a bank of gauges on the dash giving me all kinds of technical info. I'm driving to Walmart.........not on a spaceship to Mars...........

♥Surface of the Sun♥