Luddite - (n.) One who opposes technological change or innovation.
Confession: On many counts, I am a Luddite.
I'm not opposed to new technology per se, but chafe against the encroachment I feel that some technologies could put on me living my real life versus being entrenched in a virtual one. The most obvious signs of this are that I don't have a Facebook account and don't text. Other glaring evidences: My sister recently had to show me how to use Google Reader, I just got a Gmail account (my Hotmail one has worked just fine for the past 12 years, thank you very much), we have a webcam we don't really use, I'm not familiar with Skype, it's beyond me why you would need a Twitter feed ("Just scooped up some soggy Cheerios off the floor...again"), I used Drop Box and "cloud computing" for the first time a week and a half ago, and I have no idea how to convert a file into PDF form.
You may wonder how I've functioned all these years, but I've been relatively happy in my technology-lacking existence because, in my mind, I have fewer things to worry about and updates to either make or check. I'm pretty hit and miss with blog posts as it is, but maybe I'm underestimating the excitement of friending people I haven't seen in years or getting sucked into the vortex of social networking, playing games, or downloading apps for hours on end. Granted, I can waste time with the best of them checking email and surfing blogs, but my status quo worked just fine.
Until today. After succmbing to "positive" peer pressure from my family, I took advantage of my mother's gift of a year's worth of text messaging and took the plunge. Andy and I are now in the world of virtually instant messaging and I'll admit, it's fun to hear the little bling when a new message arrives or getting instantaneous feedback regarding a question, picture, or random thought. What I don't want is to become the couple or family who are in the same room, heads bent, tapping on various devices and never actually engaging face to face.
I'm moving pretty slow because we don't have a data plan and I insisted on a QWERTY keyboard since I'm a novice compared to seasoned texters with their thumbs tapping at the speed of light. I might have to take the plunge all the way, though, since I found out today that I might only be able to contact my next potential interview for the Mormon Women Project via Facebook. Gasp! Can I really revolutionze my digital persona so quickly? I'm hoping there's another way and that I can dip my toes in slowly. But if not, wanna be friends?
What are your thoughts on technology for social connection? Are there any methods you don't use or can't live without? Have I been biased all this time? Let me know what I'm missing or if you're fine living under a figurative rock like me.
4 comments:
You and I seem to be cut out of the same cloth. I did get a facebook account right before leaving Ohio so I could have a way to find people after I left. Here's the thing, I have checked it maybe four times. Once you're on there, so many people invite you to be friends. Now, it is tempting to accept them all as to not hurt their feelings, but then if you ever check facebook, you have to wade through mostly useless drivel from all those "friends". I just got a new phone with a qwerty keyboard so I could text family more, but the phone itself sticks and I think I'm changing my card back to my old phone with the poor texting ability.
Ha Ha this is hilarious. I have embraced most of technology but one thing I am holding strong too is my old school cell phone. EVERYONE around me has the new blackberry's or Droids or I-phones. I think it is crazy and I am convinced I don't need to have internet access at all moments of time. I know it is handy to use as a GPS or whatever, but I staying old school and will continue to only get whatever phone is "free" at my time of upgrade.
But I'm happy your texting. It really is so convenient.
And I think you should join Facebook too! If you like blogging, you may just get sucked in to FB! Love ya Nol.
Yeah, I've been accused of being a grandma for not texting. I'm being left out of an entire world b/c of it. We'll see. I've not caved yet but I don't know if it's because of my ideals of my personal finances. I guess we'll see if we can ever sell our blasted condo!
I knew you'd love the little noise of getting a text, it's a friendly little hello in the middle of the day:) I'll be honest, I can't see you doing face-b and I'd say you aren't missing anything. But alas, don't be afraid of technology. You'll never be the family that texts instead of talks. I'm all about the tech when it helps you stay in touch with the ones you love more readily. As Kip would say, "I love technology."
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