That Technology Thing
This I.T. thing it baffles me
This internet technology
I was born in simple times
When payphones still took single dimes
My children, born with mouse in hand,
Can shame me with their strong command
Of anything thats new and hip
And powered by a microchip
But I have rallied, I can learn
Ive past a point of no return
Technology cant be that tough
I dangerously know just enough
Control, Delete they worry me
Add Alt, and theyre the evil three
Some buttons, I dont have a clue
F1 through twelve, what do they do?
And then, you see, theres logging on
The internet to cruise upon
The sites I see, some of them funny
Others want to take my money
Another problem I have found
Chat rooms, blogs, and sites abound
Where people want to talk and gab
Printed words can seem quite drab
To talk to you, conventional,
Is more than one dimensional
When its typed and printed down
I dont know if you wear a frown
The language that your body speaks
Your words and tone and voice techniques,
Help me process what you mean
My laptop lets them go unseen
And kids today dont seem too fit
Computers often baby sit
Their social skills have gone sedate
They can text, but cant relate
My parents said, Go out and play
Breathe fresh air and seize the day
Technology, in introspection,
Creates a certain disconnection
12 Comments:
You really nailed things this time, Bob. That's exactly how I feel...not stupid, exactly. Just disadvantaged, disconnected from some big secret that everybody else was born knowing.
It's not pretty, this having an analogue mind in a digital world, is it?
By ktstew, Feb 18 09 7:58 PM
I cant help it KT. I know I have to adapt, and I'm doing fine. But my neural pathways were well formed and on their way to some degree of academic sclerosis when the personal computer entered our lives. My children could boot a floppy and initiate a game program at the age of three. The real frustration for me is to see the generational disconnect. Young people that have zero social skills aside from their i-phones and laptops. It's a little frightening.
By bobcat88, Feb 18 09 8:13 PM
Enjoyed reading this description of modern technology.It is so true.
By pattycake65, Feb 18 09 8:20 PM
Ancient parents everywhere are grinning and identifying. My son was working his way round the keyboard of a BBC Model B at 21 months. At 4, he had progressed to a PC, where he made the current Windows program a sub-file of a golf game called Links386. We'll be OK, though, as long as our children are still young enough to know everything.
By lesley153, Feb 18 09 8:29 PM
Lesley, I call my daughter and her fiancee everytime I need advise or help or counsel with anything to do with technology. They confidently know so much more than me, and I trust them.
By bobcat88, Feb 18 09 8:34 PM
Goes without saying, Bob. I ask my son - or wait till he's home on holiday. [blush]
By lesley153, Feb 19 09 7:11 AM
Julie was out the other evening and Carol wanted to watch a movie and neither of us could get the movie player to work, Julie walked in the door and gave us that look and started the movie for her mother and then asked us what we were going to do when she starts college this fall. I just hung my head in shame and got a book.
By garrysouders, Feb 19 09 7:21 AM
I remember the feeling of utter ignorance and 'shame' when my sons found out, years ago, that I had never instant messaged in my life, had NO idea how or WHY I would do it, (I talk to people on the phone or in person,thanks guys) and JUST started doing it this past year. Why? Because Lesley and someone else 'shamed' me into setting up an account so I could play too!;) Your post is sooo true, Bob, it's scary, but I'm glad I have techno savvy kids.
By jordandog, Feb 19 09 8:07 AM
I know 'the look' all too well, Bob. It is a disconcerting mixture of pity, condescension, love and amusement and one wants to throttle the wearer.
By ktstew, Feb 19 09 9:17 AM
Oops.You were the one who talked about 'the look' Garry...sorry!
See how awful it is to be old and half out of your mind? ;)
By ktstew, Feb 19 09 9:19 AM
Loved the poem! We must be about the same age.. My daughter at 5 would fix the boondoogle that I created on the old dos system... She now has a degree in audio/video web design and whatever else it is.. she's told me; but I don't understand what she's saying..lol
By paul6012, Feb 19 09 11:03 PM
Okay, Bob, I've got one for you...I got my first computer, an Atari 400, when I was a teenager. I haven't looked back sense. Although I have to say, I really don't care much for cell phones. I own one, I keep it on all the time, but it just connects me too much for my own good.
By cag1970, Feb 28 09 2:42 PM