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Technology creates its share of headaches
Emily Plihal
for Smoky River Express
So, I’ll be the first to admit that I am not very technologically inclined. I would imagine most “modern” people would tell me that to advance in life I may have to take a step into the future of gimmicks... to which I would say, “Not likely”.
Although many friends have tried, and may have succeeded to convince me to buy a personal digital assistant (think Blackberry), I am still not convinced that all technology is useful or necessary.
At 26 years of age, I have carefully navigated through College, and the beginning part of my professional life without many modern forms of technology.
Yes, I use Google and Facebook, I can create you a decent-looking web page, but do not ask me to download songs onto your iPod or MP3. Actually, to be honest, I’m not sure I could even use an iPod or MP3.
My hatred for technology began probably around the time I started learning to lay out a newspaper in College. For some odd reason, as soon as two or more programs are opened on our computers, they like to crash.
I have very little patience for re-booting a computer when I am trying to produce a 20-page or larger paper... sorry, but that is just the way it is. I have no patience for machines that won’t cooperate!
Now, my feeling is that we don’t really need all this technology, that a lot of it creates drama and headaches our busy lives just don’t need.
My biggest pet peeve when going to a store is when the sales associate is listening to their iPod or MP3 while at work. Since when is it alright for someone who is supposed to be in the service industry to wear a device that blocks out external noise?
Call me crazy, but as a server or sales associate, shouldn’t you be able to hear when someone walks up to you for help?
Don’t even get me started on cell phones! Yes, they are convenient. I have a cell phone, but don’t need to have it attached to my hip... which it normally is because of my crazy schedule and employees who have to reach me at all hours of the night.
When I was a minor, I did not have a cell phone. As a matter of fact, I don’t remember any of my friends having one until we were old enough to purchase our own. I’m not saying teenagers shouldn’t have one, it is a great safety measure for our youth to have a way to call their parents in case of an emergency. However; do they really have to be texting their friends from school 10 minutes after saying goodbye at the bus stop?
Maybe I am a little old school... my dream is to live on my farm in a log cabin. It wouldn’t bother me one bit to become a mild form of a hermit when I’m in my 40s. Think about what life would be like.... Wake up in the morning, walk outside with your morning coffee, listen to the birds sing and smell the freshness of the trees around you. Later in the morning, get dressed, do chores around the yard, take a walk in the bush, check out wildlife in its natural habitat. Have some lunch, then spend the rest of the day improving your yard and home.
Computers are a great thing to have, there is a wealth of educational items at your fingertips. However; I think when I’m over 60 I will completely leave them behind too.
I am a bit of a social-butterfly, and I enjoy meeting new friends at big events, but I do anticipate the day when I get to choose where and when I go.
Maybe I’m just one of those people who fear learning how to use new technology because it will alter the lifestyle I have. Just call me a technology scrooge.
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