I can still recall how unabashedly we’d shake our heads whenever some widowed old lady strolled into our Radio Shack store asking if we could please change the batteries in her portable AM/FM radio. “My husband always took care of that for me,” they’d explain apologetically.
Of course, we always obliged, although somewhat dismayed. Afterward, the same conversation between us young technology sales reps always ensued. “How does she not know how to do something as simple as changing the batteries in her radio?”
Looking back, now some 40 years on, the answer was apparent, the question rhetorical. Couple’s roles were much clearer defined back then.
The husband, the breadwinner, was assigned to protecting and providing for the family while his wife, the homemaker, ensured that there was both physical and emotional sustenance in a clean and comfortable environment.
For all intents and purposes, this model served mankind quite adequately throughout millennia. Not perfect mind you, but functional.
This well-entrenched paradigm began to shift gradually, post World War Two, starting with the generation known today as the Baby Boomers. Simply put, newfound economic prosperity resulted in a wide array of modern and innovative products being brought to market.
These leading-edge goods and services boastfully promised to make peoples lives more entertaining, more fun and most importantly more convenient.
In response, demand for these commodities grew exponentially. This, in turn, resulted in a perceived need for additional household income. As a result, women began entering into the workforce in droves leading to the slow yet inevitable erosion of the traditional family unit.
Now, I am not here to debate whether this slow decay was a good or bad thing but to quote Victor Hugo, “Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come.”
Nowadays, many people long for what they sentimentally deem to be the “good old days,” when in truth, it’s just the natural progression of life. To rail against such change is akin to swimming upstream against a strong current. Eventually, you”ll just get swept away.
There is a name for this type of thinking. Psychologists refer to as “Golden Age Syndrome.” The exaggerated belief that something (politics, news, morals, daily life) used to be substantially better than it is now, usually expressed with bitterness about the present condition.
Paul, the pseudo-intellectual in Woody Allen’s heralded movie Midnight in Paris, may have been a bit harsh when proclaiming, “Nostalgia is denial. Denial of the painful present.
The name for this denial is Golden Age thinking – the erroneous notion that a different time period is better than the one ones living in – its a flaw in the romantic imagination of those people who find it difficult to cope with the present.”
Personally, I don’t think this is the case in most instances. For many, I believe it’s merely fear of the unknown. No one likes to feel inadequate or unintelligent, so it’s easier just to avoid the things we don’t comprehend so well.
Factor in the extensively documented antisocial behavior associated with technology and one can readily see how these people reinforce and validate their avoidance.
Either way, it can be argued that such short-sighted thinking is indeed a fool’s game. The parents and grandparents of us baby boomers and GenXer’s had a lot less at stake than we do.
Life back then stumbled forward at a much slower pace. The same tools, implements, and methods that had hitherto well-served several generations were still just as functional in their day and age.
Take household chores for example. Prior to companies such as Eureka, Dyson, and Roomba a simple hand made broom would be passed down from generation to generation. Any change was slow and measured, almost imperceptible.
Currently, we live in an age light years from that oft slow paced world. Technology is moving forward at breakneck speed. So rapidly, in fact, that new products are being intentionally held back in order that companies may recoup their initial R&D investments.
It’s a slippery slope we now find ourselves on, and it won’t be abetting any time soon.
Herein, lies the potential problem. Willfully ignoring technology will inevitably result in a myriad of negative consequences as one moves forward in life. Think of those same old ladies I initially spoke of. Now mentally expand time out and step forward 10, 15 or 25 years.
We aren’t just talking changing batteries now. Those same like minded people will struggle ineffectually with the simplest of operations.
Cellphones are replacing landlines so rapidly that soon it’ll no longer be financially feasible for telecom companies to support these outdated networks. How will these people communicate with family and friends then? How will they make a doctors appointment, call the pharmacy or book travel?
God forbid they experience a medical emergency. If cell phones are beyond their capabilities then certainly a laptop or tablet will be as well.
Even now, household appliances are integrating WiFi while, at the same time, incorporating a slew of other IoT Smart technology. You’ll have to know how to effectively and competently operate all of this technology if you wish to accomplish the simplest of tasks such as cooking, washing your clothes and/or watching television.
And as far as cameras? Well, you can just forget about taking any pictures for posterity. Sadly, that ship has already sailed for a lot of baby boomers.
Presently, I still sell electronics and encounter these technology deniers daily. They vainly frame their resistance to technology as somehow being a just cause or noble rebellion against the inevitable. They are only kidding themselves.
To those embracing technology, I applaud you.
As for those of you lagging behind, well, Louisiana State University business professor, Leon C. Megginson, streamlined Charles Darwins On the Origin of Species in the following manner, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.”
It is sad that people do not have prints of photos anymore, luckily my husband prints off ours so we can still sit and look back. I love how technology is evolving but do believe it is too far at times x
I suppose that depends. I have old boxes of photos I never look at. Heck, I’ve been married for 37 years and not once have I ever watched the VHS tape of our wedding. Lol
The crazy thing is technology seems to create rapid changes in which things go faster and faster. Before long most people are left behind in one way or another. That is kind of sad. But it’s done a lot for us as well.
It’s a double edged sword.
Well, I’m not a smart-native at all, I had my first handy at 18 and my first smart technology at 26… but when the other day my gps wasn’t working I felt like… lost. Until I remembered the way I used not to get lost when I travelled alone at 20: I asked people. ;.)
Technological evolution is amazing but it can be so overwhelming for some people. I wonder what’s in store for the present generation in the future.
Rather interesting perspective!. Embrace technology or be left behind. For me personally, detaching from the rapid advance in technology can be enticing. It’s an emotional detachment that can be very satisfying.
Do not let technology define who you are.
Do not let it control you, you control it.
I find this very satisfying…just as helping that women change her batteries made you feel wonderful.
Technology rather than getting us free time , actually started cutting out on physical communication .
Yeah things are completely different, and I mean just thinking about how life was just 50 years ago, it’s crazy how fast things changed, unbelievably fast. Thank you for sharing!
I think for me technology is good in moderation. I am trying to learn to balance and still have life, not life locked in technology
It could really be overwhelming to others, we should just try to imagine their point of view and put ourselves in their shoes to maybe understand them..😘😊
Very true. My point being, I’d they feel overwhelmed now can you imagine in 20 years. It’s going to be a struggle for many just to function day in and day out. Which is all the more reason people should encourage and assist them.
Technology is really different today so it can be overwhelming for others especially to older people.
Very interesting topic. In my opinion it’s important to keep up with technology as it will help us continue to evolve and we can always take a break from it. Knowing how to use a device doesn’t mean you have to be using it constantly. Great blog post!
Thank you Gill
Technology comes with the changing times. There are definitely pros and cons to it. I just wish we’re not so much on our phones all the time, lol.
They are addicting no doubt. Thank you for reading.
Very interesting topic. With the time, technology has changed too and it has given so many good things but there are also some negative points too. So we need to learn balance
I don’t know anyone who has willfully ignoring technology. Everyone around me and even my family have embace technologiy a lot.
Work with it at the retail level and you’ll see people resisting it everyday. Thank you for reading.
Great topic here. I enjoyed reading your point of view. I embrace technology and all it brings. I would be lost without it.
Me too. Thank you for taking the time to read it.
This is one of the best blog articles I’ ve been reading since the beginning of the year. The professor is right, we need to adapt to our environment and the change in everything in order to grow and survive, in other words we need to embrace change.
Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to read and comment. Appreciated.
Technophobia is not an officially recognized mental illness but it is the extreme and irrational fear of technology. Usually, this fear is related to irrational fear of computers, robots, artificial intelligence, weapons and other such things which seem advanced in scientific thought. Many people fear genetically modified organisms too (GMO), though research shows that they are safe to consume. In other words, fear of science and technology is a very real problem in our societies and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that one can find a technophobic around every street corner. As usual thanks for a new and enlightening topic….
Thank you young lady.😊
Just like they say “…. adopt or die.”
We adopt but still with control, and holds on the traditional ways coz its sweeter.
Thank you for reading and commenting Blair.
I absolutely love the Darwin quote you chose to end this post. I am a firm believer in adopting two new technology and new changes with as much finesse as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I love new technology Liz. Getting a new DJI drone soon so I can start Vlogging.
Your thoughtful post shows understanding of the ageing technophobe. No one likes feeling ignorant, incompetent or excluded. So they may bluster and rationalise. To help them, we need to make allowances for this. Tricky!
Thank for your comment. I work with such people everyday and stress the importance. They may not totally embrace technology but they sure as heck better get on board or it will be to their own detriment.