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614 Technology– Keeping Up
This is Retirement Talk. I’m Del Lowery.
"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 has now been here for what seems to be a long time. It seemed far fetched when he said it but now it is just the way the world works. This is especially good news for older eyes that start to burn after reading for very long. It is so wonderful, almost magical, to be able to increase font size of whatever you are trying to read.
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.
Right ow I’m on my third Kindle. It looks like a very thin 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 that ability to increase the size of the font. I tried reading on it after ten o’clock at night.. 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. Regular light from a regular lamp illuminates it. 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”. About ten years ago we were introduced to another trending leap in technology. “Guitar Hero” and “Rock Band”. Few people of our generation were familiar with them. But I’ll tell you that I have never seen anything quite so amazing. Here was an interactive computer “game” I guess you would call it. My son, his wife, and their two children would pick up specially designed electronic instruments: lead guitar, bass guitar, drums and microphone. 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 had 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 was technology that really brought 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 now stands abandoned in a corner of the garage
Then there is the "Sonos" player for music. That was a birthday gift for my 65th birthday - twelve years ago. 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 now the "Roku" which allows me to stream instantly movies without using the mail at all. Of course there was “Vonage” that ran our phone through the computer. And a “quick cam” that lets us see our grandchildren when we had telephone conversations. Both have now been replaced by the iPhone. Then there was the laptop that accompanied me to coffee shops on most days. Which has now been replaced by this iPad.
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 New York Times in big print each morning waits 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. Now my second generation Apple Watch nudges my wrist to alert me to a message coming in from a friend.
I’m not sure I can even attempt to keep up with the changes but attempting to keeps my mind active. It is a challenge but it is also fun. You don’t want to get left behind before your time is up.
This is Retirement Talk.
If you have questions, comments or suggestions contact del@retirementtalk.org
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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