A “Senior” Look at Technology
By Lois Ann Zendarski

Cell phones, text messaging, iPods, mp3 players, computers, mini computers, laptops, x box and Wii---all things that have come into existence under the guise of making life easier or more fun. They were to simplify our lives and allow us to do more therefore giving us more free time to enjoy life. I began pondering this fact after someone asked me, “What in the world did we do 20 years ago?”

We got a LOT more done! Honestly, I think the ‘net, although giving us the capability to learn more quickly, to access data faster and to communicate faster and supposedly get more done, can end up being a burden. It has made life faster paced, made children more dependent upon electronics and we have lost a lot of our freedom and our health because of it. I get far less done these days because there is so much more we feel the need to do via computer—from keeping in touch with friends to telecommuting for work and end up multi-tasking all day. Sometimes I find myself with my ‘ears on’ listening to my tunes via the mp3 player while doing laundry and fixing dinner. And where is all my free time I am supposed to have now?

Kids are now couch potatoes, using the computer for its intelligence and use it as their companion. In order to get fit again, we purchase a Wii Fit to tell us to exercise and it yells at us if we don’t! Forty years ago, mothers would gladly do the yelling, “Get outside and get the stink blown off ya!” was what some of us heard. (to this day, I am uncertain as to the root cause of the aforementioned stink, but I gather that Grandma must have told Mom that—so it must have been a generational stink?) We enjoyed being outside playing active games and being in the sunshine. Now the only source of Vitamin D many people receive is in tablet form!

I know of one young person who takes his laptop to his bed to chat with friends and play games, then falls asleep with the computer next to him! Needless to say, this poses quite a fire hazard!
Although I keep my laptop on the table, I am probably no better than most with regard to technology. My best friend (that would be—my bff Debbi), would have voted me most likely to never own a computer, let alone know how to use it. I think she is still amazed. This probably stems from the fact that in the early 80s I went into what was known as a ‘record store’ to purchase a ‘record’---and found much to my dismay that ‘records’ had been replaced with CDs. I asked where the ‘records’ were and I was told they are now CDs. “Certificates of Deposit??”, I queried. I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. (that would be pre-Stargate sci fi) I am still teased about the CD thing.
I own a cell phone because I have found myself in situations where I’ve needed the phone on the road. Living in a rural area, it is wise in case of car trouble, animals in the road, etc. I, however, do not use it as my primary communication device. But, I find it to be a burden in that I don’t always know when it is ringing and I fumble it and can’t see the little buttons very well without my glasses. There’s no way I can text and drive, so there’s not even a concern there!

One time, I had it set on vibrate in my pocket. It was set on a low setting and one of my kids was calling. I finally realized that my phone was vibrating and answered it. An exasperated teen asked, “WHY didn’t you answer your PHONE!?” Honestly, I thought it was a nerve in my leg! (said child did the eye rolling thing… you know the one that says… “PARENTS! UGH”. It’s that same look we gave our parents, swearing up and down we’d never end up like them. I fear I may be worse.

So, after that experience, I set the phone on a stronger vibrate and it ‘rang’. I was sitting quietly in church and I felt like I’d been ‘tasered’, causing me to jump like I’d received an electrical shock. Needless to say this got me weird looks. I’m not sure which is worse, the nerve in the leg thing or the electrical shock ‘jump’. Either one gets me ‘the weird parent look’ and sends the teenage children into fits of laughing.

I’ve gotten caught up in Facebook which honestly is only a glorified instant message and takes up more of my time than I care to admit. People send me flairs and other animated pixilated things. That’s too much. However, I have been in contact with old friends, classmates and some of my former Girl Scouts, so that is pretty neat. Some folks use Facebook to advertise their business. I may try that!

In 1993, I started crocheting a granny square sweater. Along came the computer when the husband went back to college. I tried it out by playing solitaire, got introduced to Buffalo Freenet, met a few online folks and it went downhill from there. My sweater still sits in a bag someplace in the house, unfinished. I probably won’t remember how to do the granny square either.

Gone are the days when senior citizens like me will be looking forward to crocheting on the front porch while watching the grandkids play. We will be sitting on the front porch, bluetooth attached to head, cell phone ringing, (and feeling and looking like I had a seizure and they will attempt to medicate me). I’ll have my laptop in lap (or hidden under my lap robes...lol) watchin the grandkids do Playstation or its equivalent. Our Wii’s will remind us to get up and move… “get off that rocker and get the stink blown off you!”