When I was a kid I knew what technology was, and felt quite confident in my abilities to use it. I was a master. The tuning knob and the fine tuning knob on the black and white TV were the finest money could buy, and I knew them well. Then color TV and remote control came out, and it seemed too good to be true. I could set there and watch whatever I wanted in living color, without raising a foot. I could even adjust the red, blue, and green hues with the touch of a button.
The VCR brought a slight challenge, but not until the recording functions appeared did I realize technology had become my equal. My first word processor gave me a sense of awe. It was fascinating to watch the bright white words magically appear on the black screen each time I hit a button. Before I knew it, I had mastered auto correct, and managed to print out the perfect page. I was riding the wave.
In 1990 I purchased my first computer for $1400.00. It was a cutting edge HP 486 desktop. This is where things started getting a little foggy for me. After purchasing “DOS for Dummies” I managed to figure out the basic functions, but it took six weeks to get it down pat. In retrospect, I probably should have told my x wife before I bought the computer.
My next computer had windows and since I lived by myself, there was ample time to explore at the click of a button. About the same time, I purchased my first cell phone and was immediately smitten. It weighed less than a pound, and in those places where reception was possible, I could communicate to my heart’s content.
That era signaled the peak of my technological advancement. Since then, the thesaurus, and spelling and grammar check on Microsoft word have been my major breakthroughs. Nothing else is really necessary and my fascination with new and better has worn off. Even though the commercials and advertisements keep telling me to get a new computer with more power and updated functions, there is no reason to. My current computer has more functions than NASA space command, and I only use a fraction of them. Getting a better one would kind of be like buying a space shuttle to drive to the supermarket. Keep your foot off the gas and don’t touch any buttons.
Technology has won. It has left me in the dust and I don’t even care. In the aftermath of the battle, fatigued with information, and baffled by new revelation, there is only one question that remains. It has defied my understanding for years. It is a magical, mystifying concept, never fully comprehended by my low technology mind. How the heck do they get voice to go through that skinny little wire and come out the other end? I really don’t know, and don’t think I want to. Why spoil the magic?