I Hate Technology

I didn't ask Apple to support THIS machine

In order to run an operating system upgrade, I had to get a patch.  However, the hard drive kicked the bucket, and I have to replace my poor laptop that has been through the technology war and back.  Good thing I believe in backing up my documents and external hard drives.  

Today, I don't come in praise of technology but to bury it.  I really hate technology. 

Why now, you may ask?

Because by the time you get used to one form, it becomes "outdated" or "vintage" and you are forced to upgrade whether you are ready or not.

I had a Macbook Pro laptop.  I entered the Apple world after years of being a Windows user in 2008.  I was single when I made the purchase, so for the first few years of its existence, I was the only person using this.  Add my husband using it a few years later, it's just around five years old and things start breaking.  Like, the "N" key sticks on the keyboard, and it runs slowly and I'm constantly backing up documents and photos (which turned out to be a good thing).

When the keyboard started sticking, the geniuses at the Apple Store tell me my laptop is not considered "vintage," and they no longer make parts for this.

I guess five years is like 100 years in technology time.

I unexpectedly had to upgrade my laptop to a full blown desktop.  My new iMac kicks serious booty.  It's refreshing to have a fast and working computer, with a non-sticking keyboard.  But prior to it dying, I was fine with my broke ass laptop, sticking keyboard and all.  I guess I just don't like being forced to do anything, ya know?

Of course I see my iPhone is now at a point where I should replace it.  It is nearly three years old.  Yet, I find smartphones to be the worst technology offender of all.  As consumers we are almost encouraged to spend an average $200 each year to upgrade these suckers, otherwise we're left in the dust with smarter and faster phones.  

Gordon Gecko started this trend, I'm convinced

I was almost envious of my aunt a few months ago, when she showed at least a seven year old cell phone -- read: NOT a smartphone -- that she still used.  I had to cut my Facebook usage down by not having it on my phone at all, but I still manage to find a million ways to be attached to my phone. Music, email, texting, Twitter, following weather radar...it's any wonder I barely use my phone to call anyone. Who has time to do that with all those other distractions???

(And don't get me started on my husband.  He's never owned a cell phone.  NEVER.  Back when cell phones were used primarily to call people, he didn't like being on the phone.  The important people knew where to find him.)

I might have to roll my eyes at the word "smart" to describe a phone.  How smart are we that we live in a world where we are forced to keep up with the Joneses, technology-wise, not to impress anyone, but because the technology manufacturers no longer support the technology we do have?

Sometimes, I wonder what we did before technology pervaded our lives.

Not too long ago, one would buy a newspaper, look at job listings in the Help Wanted section, and physically mail our resume and carefully tailored cover letter. 

Not very long ago, people had one phone number in order for people to reach them.

Computers weren't in every home, but when they were, baby boomers and early Gen Xers were hardly staring at screens for hours on end, at least not work-related, and certainly weren't in such a mad rush to get back on when they had a chance.  See, the home computer was functional.  This is where you could write up and print out those resumes and letters to mail out.  Perhaps they helped the kids do homework.  Of course, there were items like chat rooms and instant messaging.  I know that I, for one, came around late on the technology party.  I never got

Today, there are so many different reasons why people use computers and smartphones and technology in general.  The reason I needed to run a patch on my laptop was that I needed to install an application for my out-in-the-field job.  The install didn't take, and neither did the patch, subsequently.  I couldn't NOT be without a computer.  I had hours to account for, and if I did not, I didn't get paid...not to mention all the other stuff we do that requires use a computer, not a phone. 

I hate technology.  I hate that I needed it. 

Unfortunately, we do.  We all do.  Unless you're living in a cave, under a rock, or in the Yukon, being and staying connected is of utmost importance.  Mostly because those home phone numbers I discussed earlier?  They no longer exist.  And we no longer exist if we're not in a social profile.

I remember a few years ago, reading that an older generation person made a comment that our generation (Gen X, Millennials) didn't know how good we had it.  Heck, the "greatest generation" got along just fine without the use of smartphones and computers.

I hate to say it, but things are different now.  The United States, specifically, switched from a manufacturer economy to being part of a global consumer economy.  We are all consumers now.  Credit is also cheap and more readily available.  As a result, time is more attached to money, and not being connected could mean the difference between making the deal of a century or losing billions of dollars.  Eat or be eaten, at least in the technological world. 

Technology has provided a perfect storm, in a vicious and never ending cycle.  It's like the Hotel California: you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave. 

So technology, I hate you. I hate that you've added a layer to my life that I can't live without or at least without for a very long time.  I hate that in a breath, you are considered obsolete.  What's worse is that no one bats an eyelash when an upgrade is needed.  And I hate that even if I'm not mentally ready, I have to be physically ready to make a purchase. 

I guess the silver lining is that I do like my new computer.  Although my phone now needs an upgrade, and my husband may join in the technology club now that I've been an inspiration. 

Love Connection Pioneers

I remember watching that awfully cheddarific show in the '80s when I was a kid, Love Connection, with your host, Chuck Woolery!

Yes, that was the tag line. I was just watching some old YouTube clips with that show, and I think that today we enjoy that voyeurism just as much. Look at shows like The Bachelor and even those television shows that add absolutely nothing to culture, like Flavor of Love or Rock of Love on VH-1. They showcase these love connections, and make light of the awkwardness that is dating.

When I was a swinging single, I wasn't a good dater per se. I went on dates, but I was a serial relationship-ist. I had no problem meeting people in the outside world, but I also often thought there was a stigma attached to meeting people online, especially love connections. There seemed to be this creepy pervasive element. When people having home computers and the Internet became more mainstream, it became evident that this was merely an evolutionary tactic for people to meet eventually face-to-face and to bring populations closer together.

Prior to meeting my husband, I dabbled in sites like E-Harmony and Match. I really felt like I was better meeting people on my own, outside of the computer screen. To each their own though. I met lots of folks on these sites, people I am friends with to this day, and I feel like these sites really harp on the whole "mind" connection as opposed to being attracted to someone. Not to say that it didn't work a bit. But I will say that some lasting friendships have occurred since.

Today, an article caught my attention on CNBC, "Social Media Sites May Be Ready For Romance." It basically stated that people who get involved in sites like Facebook and Twitter often do so to make friendship connections. To me, though, it seems like a natural evolutionary process to connect friendship with romance on these sites. After all, I did it.

I started blogging years ago on baseball, and I met lots of friends through it. I expected that though. My husband and I met because we were both passionate fans of the same team, and like each other's writing. When we became friends on Facebook, it was a natural progression that we'd be friends in real life and not just one of those "Facebook only" relationships.

But if someone had told me I'd get a husband out of it, I'd have told them they dang lost their minds!

This is just a natural progression of social media. Of course, it would be only natural that it would pervade our romantic lives as well. It also takes away the whole attachment of these pay sites that may or may not give you a suitable love connection. In fact, a lawsuit was brought against Match a few years ago about the fact that some of the recommendations for dating were inactive profiles. I knew this on both ends: I was getting emails from them, saying that someone wanted to meet me, when I knew my profile wasn't active. Well, no kidding! They wanted me to sign up again and get my fees. But it had not occurred to me that there was someone else, a living and breathing person who may have shown interest that wasn't getting a response. I know I had that problem too when I saw someone who I actually knew in real life (sorta) who was engaged! His profile was still seen by other singles, but I had to inform him that his profile was still up! Needless to say he was mortified (and no, he did not meet his wife on there, natch).

When people ask me about how my husband and I met, I am a little proud of our story. We became friends through shared interests, then really became "interested" in one other...now I not only met my best friend, but I got a husband out of it too. I'd like to think we are pioneers in the next generation of love connections! Save the mullets, aqua net and bad '80s clothing.