How dependent are you on technology?

[JR]

I love reading maps.

One of my kids is about as tech savy as any 20 year old but he hates GPS systems.

"Learn to read a map".

 

[Trey Beamon]

If someone stole my cell, I'd probably go crazy. No, I don't enjoy chatting about what you had stuck in your teeth at lunch. Like zeke and others, I don't know phone numbers aside from a few random family digits.

While on the subject, have your older family members adjusted to technology? Are they willing to try new things? Or do you get the "we used the Pony Express and we liked it" response?

I only ask because my 60-year old father is pining for a new TYPEWRITER this Christmas. The man just wants nothing to do with computers ... or the 21st century. :

 

[JR]

Trey, I'm almost as old as your dad and I'd love an Iphone or a Mac laptop for Xmas. (Hi, HC! )

I love new technology but I know exactly where your dad is coming from.

I've worked with computers (hello, old Mac Classic) since the mid to late 80's. The new stuff doesn't bother me. The planned obsolescence, however, annoys the crap out of me

 

[Cadet]

I don't really have an ADD-ish, need-to-be-entertained-every-second personality, but I think technology has made me that way. If I've got a down moment at work (say, three minutes before a meeting starts) I'm checking Facebook on my phone. It's addictive.

I think I could unplug if I had to, but it would be hard at first.

 

[Lugnuts]

Can't live without... Treo for internet access, camera and phone... navigation... Tivo.... iPod... iTouch... XM... HD... my hybrid...

But I'm not on Facebook, so I'll probably die an early death.

 

[Flash]

I just discovered these things called books.

Wait until we tell you about e-books.

 

[JR]

I just discovered these things called books.

The Amazon Kindle is supposed to be as close to the real thing as you can get----except Amazon.ca doesn't sell them.

Wait until we tell you about e-books.

 

[Flash]

I just discovered these things called books.

The Amazon Kindle is supposed to be as close to the real thing as you can get----except Amazon.ca doesn't sell them.

Wait until we tell you about e-books.

Noob.

 

[RossLT]

I use my cell and my internet, but I just got cable like a month ago and I have no idea how the TIVO works and if it would be worth paying for.

I like technology, but could function without it.

 

[pallister]

If you add "Could live in a cave without much of a lifestyle change," I'll vote in the poll.

 

[sportschick]

At first, I wasn't sure if this question was actually meant for the Single Ladies of SportsJournalists.com . . . .

;D ;D

This may be the best post in the last four months.

 

[NoOneLikesUs]

I'm sort of having a falling out with technology. The only thing I really heart is downloading the podcasts I can't miss on my mp3 player. I used to spend a lot of time downloading music and movies, but found out I never watched or listened to most of it. I hate texting, but accept it. Facebook, myspace etc. never agreed with me because I'm a fairly private person. I do use those services, but primarily as a way to see what's going on with my favorite artists, authors, causes...etc. I'm really good with directions, so no GPS needed. **** all the air band video games.

 

[MacDaddy]

I've worked with computers (hello, old Mac Classic) since the mid to late 80's. The new stuff doesn't bother me. The planned obsolescence, however, annoys the crap out of me

That seems to be less of a problem than it once was, though. The computer I'm typing this on right now is more than four years old and works perfectly well and does pretty much everything the brand-new model does, though slightly more slowly -- though not enough to notice. It used to be that a four-year-old computer was worthless.

A student of mine said something recently that made a lot of sense -- he said I'm at a good age (34), because I'm young enough to understand and embrace technology but old enough that I'm not a slave to it, like his peer group (college sophomores) is.

 

[forever_town]

I'm very comfortable with technology to a point. I love having my laptop, I'm pretty adept with my cell phone, I (eventually) mastered the use of a digital camera and can now upload like nobody's business.

However, I still keep around pads of paper and pens. I still don't trust my digital recorder to always work. And sometimes, there's nothing like a good old fashioned newspaper.

Plus, there are some things I just will not abide by. Text messaging (since I have to pay 20 cents every time I send or receive one) and twittering. Ain't no way I want any part of tweeting. That's what a bird does, ****ers!

 

[playthrough]

Somewhat. I'm a complete e-mail addict, yet not on Facebook. Don't have an iPod or a burning desire to own one. Have a DVR and won't watch TV without it. Have an ordinary cell phone but maybe send five texts a month and never do internet or any of that. Love MapQuest but will never put a GPS in the car (call me a driving purist).

I guess like MacDaddy said (and I'm the same age), I'm not a slave to technology. I like it that way.

 

[KG]

I could survive without my technology, but I would have trouble with it in the beginning. I depend on Google to tell me what I want to know quickly, Mapquest to tell me how to get where I want to go without asking anyone, my cell phone for remembering phone numbers (and calling someone at the drop of a hat) and SportsJournalists.com for finding reasons to have sex.

I could live without, Tivo and satellite for that matter, but I'd hate to give up being able to download movies. Oh I'd hate to not have youtube to provide senseless entertainment.

I've been trying to get back to being old-fashioned in the kitchen though. I've given up 99% of already prepared (i.e. frozen) meals. If I want some kind of casserole or saucy, chickeny, noodly type of dinner, I figure out how to make it myself. For the past month or so, I've been cooking everything from scratch. You know, like grandma used to do. It's really not that hard, and the food tastes much better. Oh, and I pretty much never use the microwave, unless it's just to reheat some leftovers. It's been really nice.

So I guess I could give up the frills from the kitchen, but I'm not quite as willing to give up the other helpful things on the technology side.

 

[Starman]

Gonna be a big, big question over the next few years, as cable TV, internet access, and cell phones go away for a lot of people.

Everybody loves their electronic toys, but they love to eat more, and for a lot of people, that's the choice they will have to make.

My bet is that pay phones make somewhat of a comeback in the next 5 years.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

I'm like IJAG: I don't memorize anyone's phone numbers anymore. If I ever lose my phone for any reason, I'm pretty much screwed.

And unless I'm dating someone (lol ...) I don't talk on the phone much. I text a lot more than I do anything, and I use AIM and MSN Messenger on my phone most of the time.

 

[JR]

I just discovered these things called books.

The Amazon Kindle is supposed to be as close to the real thing as you can get----except Amazon.ca doesn't sell them.

Wait until we tell you about e-books.

Noob.

I'm sure that's an insult but I have no idea what "noob" means.

I apologize for screwing up the quote function

 

[KYSportsWriter]

I just discovered these things called books.

The Amazon Kindle is supposed to be as close to the real thing as you can get----except Amazon.ca doesn't sell them.

Wait until we tell you about e-books.

Noob.

I'm sure that's an insult but I have no idea what "noob" means.

I apologize for screwing up the quote function

noob = new person