Post by drcard on Aug 22, 2016 8:23:38 GMT -5
Hi All,
Warning: This is a rant at how people view older people using the newest technology.
The article at the link below depicts the common view of younger and middle aged people about those of us that are over 55 years of age in regards to using newer technology. It also provides actual data that proves such preconceived assumptions are wrong.
Myth busted: Older workers are just as tech-savvy as younger ones, says new survey
Most that know me, know that I am very tech savvy and are aware of my technical abilities. When a person meets me for the first time, this is what they see:
An old man with white hair and a white beard.
This old man carries an old flip open type cell phone.
This old man doesn't do text messaging.
This old man doesn't do Facebook or other social media.
They immediately conclude that I am an old man that is out of touch with today's newer technology and think that I know very little about that technology. I can only hope, for their sake, that the other conclusions they make in life and work are more accurate. One of the bigger perks this old man gets is the look on their faces after I solved a problem with their newest technology that totally stumped them...priceless. After several situations where this old man's technical expertise surprises them; the questions always come down to: why I don't have a smart phone, why I don't text, and why I don't participate in social media. It is assumed that I don't utilize some of this newer technology because I don't know how. The thought that someone would choose not to use this newer technology doesn't even come to their minds.
This is herd thinking where everyone does what everyone else is doing....following the herd. I am not cattle material, I decide what I will do and what technology I will use. That decision will be based upon if the new technology will enhance my life or not.
Why the old flip open type cell phone - I use computers and the Internet at work and home which is the vast majority of my awake time. I relish the few moments in my day where I am not tied to this technology. I have learned that too much of anything is bad in some form or another. I don't get a smart phone with constant Internet access to preserve those moments with the new technology. My best ideas and solutions have come when I'm not utilizing this technology.
Why no text messaging - I concluded long ago that too much communication is just as bad as too little of communication. Texting is definitely too much communication. The number of deaths and lives destroyed involving text messaging proves my point. Fact: Very few (extremely rare) people can do two things at the same time and give each thing the attention it deserves...drive without killing yourself and give thought to the text you are writing so you won't say the wrong thing. Add to that the rudeness of texting attitude....If the person doesn't answer the phone and it goes to voice mail the caller isn't upset, will or will not leave a message, and assume you can't talk right now. If the person send a text and it isn't answered right away, the sender gets mad thinking they are being ignored rather that you can't talk right now. Not texting avoids all these side effects and calling still works.
Why no social media - Again, too much communication is bad. People tell me that the biggest benefit of social media is being able to communicate with their friends and family easily. To me, they are saying that ease of communication is more important than privacy or safety. I think protecting my privacy so I don't become a victim of identity theft and safe from hackers and other bad guys is worth the little extra trouble to communicate the way I do now. Keep in mind that no matter what a web site states, posting on a social media page is the same thing as putting your words on a billboard on a roadway for all to see....and some will use that information for their purposes. I have seen nothing but bad come to many that post on social media pages...hacked, careers lost, employees fired, and become the victim of other crimes including murder. A lot of bad things for such a little easier form of communication. This decision was a no-brainer for me.
Hopefully someday people will learn that new doesn't always mean better and before embracing any new technology to consider the good and bad aspects that using it will cause.
If you read this, thanks for letting me rant.
Warning: This is a rant at how people view older people using the newest technology.
The article at the link below depicts the common view of younger and middle aged people about those of us that are over 55 years of age in regards to using newer technology. It also provides actual data that proves such preconceived assumptions are wrong.
Myth busted: Older workers are just as tech-savvy as younger ones, says new survey
Most that know me, know that I am very tech savvy and are aware of my technical abilities. When a person meets me for the first time, this is what they see:
An old man with white hair and a white beard.
This old man carries an old flip open type cell phone.
This old man doesn't do text messaging.
This old man doesn't do Facebook or other social media.
They immediately conclude that I am an old man that is out of touch with today's newer technology and think that I know very little about that technology. I can only hope, for their sake, that the other conclusions they make in life and work are more accurate. One of the bigger perks this old man gets is the look on their faces after I solved a problem with their newest technology that totally stumped them...priceless. After several situations where this old man's technical expertise surprises them; the questions always come down to: why I don't have a smart phone, why I don't text, and why I don't participate in social media. It is assumed that I don't utilize some of this newer technology because I don't know how. The thought that someone would choose not to use this newer technology doesn't even come to their minds.
This is herd thinking where everyone does what everyone else is doing....following the herd. I am not cattle material, I decide what I will do and what technology I will use. That decision will be based upon if the new technology will enhance my life or not.
Why the old flip open type cell phone - I use computers and the Internet at work and home which is the vast majority of my awake time. I relish the few moments in my day where I am not tied to this technology. I have learned that too much of anything is bad in some form or another. I don't get a smart phone with constant Internet access to preserve those moments with the new technology. My best ideas and solutions have come when I'm not utilizing this technology.
Why no text messaging - I concluded long ago that too much communication is just as bad as too little of communication. Texting is definitely too much communication. The number of deaths and lives destroyed involving text messaging proves my point. Fact: Very few (extremely rare) people can do two things at the same time and give each thing the attention it deserves...drive without killing yourself and give thought to the text you are writing so you won't say the wrong thing. Add to that the rudeness of texting attitude....If the person doesn't answer the phone and it goes to voice mail the caller isn't upset, will or will not leave a message, and assume you can't talk right now. If the person send a text and it isn't answered right away, the sender gets mad thinking they are being ignored rather that you can't talk right now. Not texting avoids all these side effects and calling still works.
Why no social media - Again, too much communication is bad. People tell me that the biggest benefit of social media is being able to communicate with their friends and family easily. To me, they are saying that ease of communication is more important than privacy or safety. I think protecting my privacy so I don't become a victim of identity theft and safe from hackers and other bad guys is worth the little extra trouble to communicate the way I do now. Keep in mind that no matter what a web site states, posting on a social media page is the same thing as putting your words on a billboard on a roadway for all to see....and some will use that information for their purposes. I have seen nothing but bad come to many that post on social media pages...hacked, careers lost, employees fired, and become the victim of other crimes including murder. A lot of bad things for such a little easier form of communication. This decision was a no-brainer for me.
Hopefully someday people will learn that new doesn't always mean better and before embracing any new technology to consider the good and bad aspects that using it will cause.
If you read this, thanks for letting me rant.
