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Because by the time you get used to one form, it becomes "outdated" or "vintage" and you are forced to upgrade whether you are ready or not.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

And By "Green," I Mean "Cash"

Does anyone carry cash around anymore?

Last week, I attended a luncheon with some successful local businesswomen.  Lunch was almost secondary to making contacts and networking our businesses.   Yet, when the bill came, several women had to pay with their credit cards.  Luckily, restaurants are accommodating to people looking to split a bill via credit card.  However, with close to 10 women splitting the bill, wouldn't it have been advantageous for them to all carry extra cash, so there was no awkwardness at the end of the lunch?

I get that we were business women, and some like to keep track of their business expenditures and travel/entertainment expenses by isolating their spending habits.  But this seemed like a good a time as any to discuss -- how are we splitting the check?

It's times like those that I wonder just how far we've come with credit in this world.  I got my first credit card in college, probably like many, and quickly found myself reaching for the plastic soon after without really knowing the consequences behind it.  See, that's where they get ya!  In college, when you want to do stuff and your cash flow isn't exactly kicking in yet.  When I graduated it wasn't much better.  Besides the student loans, I had a lot of credit card debt.  Again, not an uncommon story for young folks making their start in the world. 

Yet, I start to wonder, what got me to that point?  I remember when I was in high school, and I worked at the mall, when I wanted stuff, I paid in cash.  If I didn't have the cash, I just didn't buy it.  Novel concept, right?  Yet, credit is doled out like candy on Halloween to some people, most people, actually.

I wonder if sometimes the greening movement that's going on right now is one that would require us to carry cash around, and try to conduct more transactions using good old fashioned currency.  Chances are, you can survive without cash more than without a credit card.  Shocking, I know.  But if you think about it, many places are equipped to take credit cards to give their customers more options.  Like taxi cabs in New York City.  Just a decade ago, if you didn't have cash, you were relegated to walking or hitting an ATM before getting in one.  Now it's almost expected to pay with a card.  You get something on a revolving basis, you need a credit card.  Want to travel?  Give your credit card number.  Need to pay for your pet's vet visit?  Break out the plastic. 

Sites like eBay have PayPal as a means to exchange currency virtually and electronically, as opposed to waiting a week or so for a check or money order payment.  Yet, these are not without their faults.  If I sell something on eBay and the invoice is incorrect, I have to issue a refund.  That's not so bad, but I get levied a charge on interest to do a straight cash transaction.  It's cents as opposed to dollars but still...it does add up and it's nickel and diming from the corporation.

PayPal also has a means of taking the guess work out of splitting a bill for individuals, by allowing a mobile payment system to exchange currency by simply bumping your phones.  Fascinating, huh?

But wait - there's more!  There is an app for your phones called "Square," that makes it easier for those who don't carry cash around to exchange on a different level.  It's essentially a way to make your phone into a cash register...of course, without the exchange of physical cash and another way of using your credit cards to make exchange of service or splitting a check more feasible.

Oh and fear not...if you are a mobile business (think of those folks who do arts and crafts at fairs but only take cash), you can make your phone or tablet into a portable cash register by using an app called Swipe.  

After all, the greening of our economy and our lives AND our wallets is for convenience.  And the more options we have, it seems the more we gravitate towards getting away from using cash and paper money.

Since I was a kid, we've all been trying to convenience ourselves out of being personal and all business.  Smartphones, credit cards and portable entertainment have given us a way to retreat within ourselves to be more reclusive, yet forge relationships with others.  It's a paradox, but at the same time, it gives us options to be a more well-rounded society.  Isn't that somethin'?