OK...let's get right to the point...do you think the ability to use the newer techie devices is dependant on your age? Is there a link between age and aptitude??
Why do I ask??? Well, I was reading a blog several weeks ago that was written by a "20 something" year old, who was talking about her mother. Her mom had just gotten her first smart phone and the blogger was getting a bunch of goofy text messages. Such as:
Is the sAle on saT orsunday?
I don't mean to be coming across as critical of the blog...not in the least. The blogger that I am referring to is hysterical. Whether or not her mother actually typed that text or not, her post was a riot. This is all good, as her blog is supposed to be humerous. (and it is) My problem began when I read all the comments. While the blogger had me laughing, some of her commenters didn't. In all fairness, to the commenters, it is not their job to be funny. (and they succeeded)
There were 43 people that left comments (not including me... that probably should of kept my comment to myself) that were having an absolute laugh-fest implying that there mothers were morons. Seems all of their moms not only don't know how to text but they don't know how to do a lot of other things as well. A few managed to throw their dads under the bus just for good measure. Turns out a few dads don't even own a cell phone. If that makes them lesser dads, I am not sure.
At that point, I started feeling like I was in a dodgeball game with 43 throwers on one side and just little ole me on the other. AND they throw hard.
The impression I got from the comments was that being young is an automatic key to being proficient with electronic devices. There was a air of superiority directly linked to their youth, when in fact their proficiency has to do with factors that have nothing to do with the number of years they have been alive.
I am especially sensitive to age these days but I am relatively competent with computers and smart phones. Anyway....for the last 3 weeks I have been covertly watching people 55 and older and taking note as to whether or not they know their sh** when it comes to using gadgets.
After looking around for the better part of a month, here are some of my observations. I don't think this is an age thing. I think there are some people of all ages that are or can be proficient with the newer technologies. Then, there are some (again in all age groups) that don't give a rat's ass about newer technology and therefore just don't engage in learning or using it. AND... there are some people that are just plain idiots. But with that being said, there are also some genuine geniuses out there. Some of these smarty-pants types are older than me. (which by some people's measure is really f!%$#&* OLD)
So my conclusion is that while those commenters are feeling pretty smug because they are young, they really should just be smug (if one should actually ever be smug) because they have a some level of knowledge and capabilities as far as using electronics.
Thought #2 - I can see where proficiency in using devices leads to tormenting others. (I am not condoning or endorsing...just pointing out that it might.)
As I went back and reread the comments, I can see where some of the "young ones" anecdotes about the things their moms did or didn't do with their cell phones were pretty humorous. If it wasn't for the fact that the blame seemed to be inferred to the age of the moms as opposed to the actual lack of knowledge, I would have been enjoying their little stories a bit more.
In fact, I sometimes like to take the opportunity to tease some of my own family members in regards to their device deficiencies. One in particular...my one and only sibling..my brother. He actually is fairly proficient at using computers but continues to do the minimum on his cell phone. His phone has the capability to receive texts but he rarely uses texting as he is one of "those people" that claim if he has something to say, he would just call the person.
BTW ....I can dish out abuse out far better than I can take it. Also, I am not screwing with him because he is a year older than me. That would just be mean. I am screwing with him because he is just fun to screw with.
So on a day that I had nothing better to do, I sent a text to him. (Note to anyone younger than.. say 50... yes, I know how to text.)
For you that need a tutorial the green messages are mine and the grey messages are "Brother".
This is the kind of thing that will keep him up for a few nights as I now have planted the seed that he bought a stupid smart phone. Actually, he probably had his cell phone provider's customer service rep on the line by the time I set my phone down on my desk.
Maybe I should call him and let him off the hook. OR..... Perhaps I will give him some "interesting" tips on how to give his phone some remedial education so it too can be SMARTER.
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