The subject: resistance to adopting technology -- title of this post means, "Greetings, Julius (Caesar)".
Yeah, for those who don't know, I studied Latin for eight terms; four years in high school and four semesters in college, including one in Italy where I was able to read and attempt to translate original works. Latin remains quite alive in our English language, and I credit my high school Latin teacher (who truly WAS on a first-name basis with Julius Caesar) for instilling in me a love of the language that taught me how to write in English. Before studying Latin, I couldn't write worth a hoot. Now, some 30+ years later, I have published several books, articles, and scholarly reports.
I take a lot of light-hearted ribbing from friends about how I am slow and resistant to adopt new technology. Thus, some claim that I remain on a first-name basis with Julius Caesar like my Latin teacher. My #1 resistance is to cell phones. Man, I hate those things. They are annoying yet ever-present in today's society. I just saw a kid who was about five years old yakking on one yesterday.
Okay, fine, they provide convenience. But you know, the world still turned and we managed quite well before they became so ubiquitous. Kids were able to go play and know when it was time to come inside by listening for someone to yell for them, or the church bells ring, or simply by looking at a clock. Not any more... yuppies and yuppettes all claim that their kids "need" one for their safety. Oh, gimme a break. Kids managed quite fine back in the day. The world really is not any less (or more) safe today. Kids don't "need" cell phones, and their parents really don't, either. But the parents have succumbed to the marketing sales hyperbole of the wireless industry. (Hyperbole? Well, I studied Ancient Greek, too).
Seriously, the reason why I am so resistant to cell phones is two-fold: First, I witnessed a close friend get killed by someone yapping on a cell phone. He was riding his Harley in front of me, ... I'll never forget the horror. I blame it all on inattentive driving caused by an SUV-driver being more concerned about talking on the blasted phone than watching where she was going. Second, I really don't like making rich companies richer. All the wireless phone companies are making a mint off of every person who yaps away on the "unlimited" plans, and texting too.
So here is a contradiction: I have one of those things. My work requires it. But if work didn't pay for it, I wouldn't have one. My partner doesn't have one. Heck, if he had his druthers, we wouldn't have a phone in the house. But that's becuase he is a recluse.
What my friends who claim that I am more of an ancient Roman (rather than of Italian descent) do not recognize is that I have adopted certain technologies, like building a personal website (I have several other websites, as well), and even this medium: blogging. There are some technologies that are fun and don't cost that much. Certainly, email is a technology that I use a lot -- I have made friends all over the world and can use email to keep in touch. Sure beats the cost of a long-distance call. (Remember toll charges? Huh?)
Two other media to which I do not subscribe is texting and instant messaging. Texting is another way for wireless companies to make a lot of money. As for IM, I have tried it, but discontinued it because it takes time that I simply do not have. IM programs are blocked where I work, for good reason. The kids around there would IM all day if they could. At home, I seldom have more than a few minutes here-and-there on the computer, so using IM wouldn't be fair to others, because I can't stay on line that long. Same applies to on-line chat forums. I just don't have the time and can't make the time on a regular basis.
And don't get me started about "Crackberries." OMG, ... what a very expensive waste of money. The world will survive if you can't read that email immediately. Seriously. Turn it off and see what happens. Betcha the sun still comes up tomorrow morning.
So that is today's musing... ab ovo usque ad mala
No comments:
Post a Comment