Retirement Talk
WHAT to do with the rest of your life? |
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Episode 079 Technology– Keeping Up
"The paperless society" – that is how Alvin
Toffler referred to the future back around l970 in his famous book, “Future
Shock”: paper would become obsolete. He claimed we would watch computer screens
and information – like newspapers, magazines, and books would appear on a hand
held electronic book; no need for paper. Well, that day is here. The past few
weeks we visited our son and family in
Anchorage
,
Alaska
. He has a, “Kindle”. It
does all of the things Alvin Toffler predicted – just an amazing instrument - especially
amazing for eyes that start to burn after reading for very long.
This is Retirement Talk. I’m Del Lowery.
One attribute that accompanies many of us into retirement is
a reluctance to accept new trends, ideas, or inventions. “I guess I’m just set
in my ways”, we often heard. “No, I don’t want any of those new fangled
thing-a-ma-jigs”, is another. “I don’t trust those things.” It doesn’t seem to
matter what the “thing” is. Some older folks just don’t trust it. “I don’t need
it”, they say.
There’s justification for these attitudes some of the time.
But, sometimes it is like relegating ourselves to an early death. Sort of like
being dead before we die. Just because this stuff didn’t exist when we were
kids doesn’t mean that it is useless. I feel very fortunate in that my son
became a technophile. He likes to keep up to speed with the electronic world.
It isn’t his business, it is just one of his interests. He continues to pull me
along on the ride.
The “Kindle” is his latest acquisition. He got it from
Amazon. It looks like a leather bound book. It does all of the things Toffler
told us about – and then some. The thing that I really liked about it, and the
feature that can really help retired people, is the ability to increase the
size of the font. I tried reading after ten o’clock at night on it. I can never
do that – my old eyes just start to burn when I read late at night. Well, on
the Kindle I read for an hour and my eyes were not burning nor were they tired.
It was like magic. It isn’t lit like a computer screen but in some other way.
The light shines down and not into your eyes. And then there is the font size. If you would like bigger print it is
just a click away. Bingo! It becomes a little easier to read instantly. What is
that worth?
Since you are listening to this program – a podcast – I
assume you make an attempt to keep up with technological changes. The thing is
– just when you think you have caught up, here comes another “thing”. Since
returning from
Alaska
we have been in conversation with several friends about our trip. We talk
about, “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band”. Few people of our generation are familiar
with them. But I’ll tell you that I have never seen anything quite so amazing.
Here is an interactive computer “game” I guess you would call it. My son, his
wife, and their two children would pick up instruments: lead guitar, base
guitar, drums and microphone and then the music began. Hours each night they
would stand in front of the screen and sway to the rhythm. I have never seen a
family activity that was more interactive and fun. They each have their skills
tested to the limits and yet cooperated in a group effort that produces cheers
and adulation from the "electronic" fans. It is hard to explain, but
it is technology that really brings the family together. It operates through an
Xbox and a TV screen. I don’t know how to operate it but it sure looks like
fun. Of course, it will probably be
outdated by the time you hear this podcast.
Then there is the "Sonos" player for music. That
was a birthday gift for my 65th birthday. It is a music system for
the house that I thoroughly enjoy on a daily basis. Then there is “Netflix”
that brings movies via the mail into the house like I could never have
imagined. And my latest gift was the addition of a "Roku" which
allows me to stream instantly movies without using the mail at all. Of course
there is “Vonage” that runs our phone through the computer. And a “quick cam”
that lets us see our grandchildren when we have a telephone conversation. Then
there is the laptop that accompanies me to coffee shops on most days. I mention
these things just to give you an idea of a life that has it’s share of “electronics”.
It does require some “keeping up”. Even these podcasts
required a certain amount of learning to operate certain sound production
programs and machines. I guess I could forget all of these things and sit back
with my radio and hook up a television, but what a different life it would be.
I’m not saying it would be better or worse, but it would certainly be
different.
Some new technologies seemed designed for we retired folks.
The “Kindle” is one. No, I don’t have one yet. But, I’ll bet soon. I mean,
imagine, the New York Times in big print each morning waiting for you – and you
don’t have to feel like a major pollution machine when you throw it away each
day. And a subscription to the New York Times Reader only cost $15.00 per
month. That sounds good to me; cheaper than a hard copy. Then there are all of
the best sellers. One click and you can have the first chapter of most any book
for free. If you like it, in one minute the total book can be downloaded to
your Kindle for about a third of the price of an, “old fashioned” print and
paper book. And think of all the trees you will save. I can’t wait for Father’s
Day, my birthday, or some big windfall. The Kindle is at the top of my list. My eyes are going to love it.
This is Retirement Talk.
P.S. This whole thing sounds like an advertisement. It isn’t.
I was just really impressed by the Kindle.
A resource from a listener: Best Free Online Degrees for Seniors guide is designed to assist seniors who aspire to enhance their intellect or consider starting a new career path. It features an overview of the top online degrees for seniors, emphasizing their numerous advantages, and a broad range of subjects to choose from.
A friend's website: Terra Firma Designs: Fine Furniture, Stained Glass and woodworking workshops.
Copyright 2010 RetirementTalk.org
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