Do we all eventually reach the point where we can’t deal with any more new stuff? I hope I’m not embarrassing Steph when I say this was sort of inspired by her comment here. I’ve thought about this before but that’s what got me started this time. Her comment:
All this new technology is a bit complicated for me, I\’m discovering (a sure sign of getting old). I\’ll just buy my coffee with cash, thank you.
I run into that all the time – someone near my age who finds new technology too complicated and I wonder what’s different about me that I still get excited about new gadgets and new ways of doing things. I have to admit that I sometimes find things unnecessarily complicated – like they could have made the gadget do the same things but simpler to use. And then there are the unnecessary extra functions that some things have because they try to stuff as many “features” as possible into every gadget. One of the things I like about the Kindle is that it’s made for just one thing – reading books – and doesn’t have a lot of extra bells and whistles.
I guess I’m complicated, myself. In some ways I cling to the old but I also tend to be impatient for the next new invention to come out. Sometimes progress seems so slow and almost always way too expensive. And I’m not just talking about gadgets. Scientific breakthroughs are one of my biggest pet peeves. You read about some amazing breakthrough that is going to change everything and you wait and wait… and nothing really changes. I’m ready for change. I want to see this wonderful new world they keep promising me and I want it now and I want it to be cheap enough that I can afford it. I don’t have an infinite number of years left to enjoy all this new stuff so come on! Let’s have it!
Where I tend to be a curmudgeon is in social change and fads. All these kids running around with their underwear showing and people – even people old enough to know better – wearing pajamas in public, and profanities emblazoned across t-shirts and tattoos actually being considered acceptable! I don’t know how much more I can take. What’s next? How much crazier can it possibly get out there? Actually, crazy I wouldn’t mind so much – it’s sloppy and indecent that makes me want to go all prissy-old-lady on everyone.
So anyway, am I getting too old to deal with new stuff? Paying for stuff with my phone? I’m ready if they set it up right. But for heaven’s sake everyone pull up your damn pants.
January 25th, 2011 - 6:13 pm
One of the best closing lines I’ve read lately.
I agree. I do tend to look forward to new tech and new science and it’s aggravating on the science side when we keep hearing about cool new things coming and then they never seem to come.
Clothes and stuff like that I figure go in cycles. I looked just as stupid when I was a kid. And so did my mother. And grandmother.
So while I may think it’s dumb and make fun of it, it doesn’t excise me too much.
January 25th, 2011 - 11:48 pm
Second photo in the “crazy” link? BTDT. It’s nothing but a “po’ boy’s raincoat”.
The “sloppy and indecent”? Seen much worse. *sigh*
But on the main topic? Some folks are just not made to embrace change. My folks: both in their late 80s. My dad learns something new–and usually techie–every week, it seems. My mom? She used a computer before anyone else in the family ever touched on, but won’t now. She won’t even turn her cell phone on. *heh*
Different strokes.
January 26th, 2011 - 8:40 am
David, the “sloppy and indecent” link does get much worse. Try the next few pages.
I’m afraid I get a bit impatient with people who can’t deal with technology even though I wonder if that will be me someday.