scribblings from a deist transhumanist libertarian minarchist citizen soldier

Generational technology gaps

As far as I know, I’m a member of Generation X. If you are a member of my unlucky generation, you are caught between the Baby Boomers and Generation Y. It’s interesting how technology has affected these three generations.

Start with the boomers – they are generally afraid of technology that first appeared after 1970 or so. They still prefer to fly to a face to face meeting or pick up the phone. Members of my generation generally prefer e-mail because it isn’t time sensitive (it doesn’t usually demand immediate attention). The Y’s all seem to be addicted to an infantile bridge technology called texting. And texting is what I really want to talk about.

It’s an idiotic thing to be addicted to. Those tiny keyboards aren’t made for constant communication. I’ve tried it because I generally love technology. However, I refuse to embrace a technology that steps backwards socially. I’ve watched you Y’s with your addiction to driving and texting. You have a death wish. You have the attention spans of gnats. You couldn’t focus on an important task to save your job.

Embracing a technology like texting – one that forces a single core processor (the human brain) to overheat and eventually return a blue screen error – is a fool’s errand. I will embrace texting when it’s embedded on a multi-core chip or organic computing device that has the capacity to make it a pleasant experience. I’m not ready to drive and type. I’ve caught myself doing that on my Blackberry. I should have punched myself in the face for allowing myself to be trained that every response is so urgent I should risk my life to be available to answer e-mail even while commuting.

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  • Mr. Brain,

    There are always exceptions to every generalization. I'm glad to hear you are an exception...

    Yes, I was using a stereotype for dramatic effect. On the other hand, you invited me to visit your web site but it won't load!
  • Ok two points here. One I agree with you on and the other I beg to differ. Ha Ha

    1. I have to agree with you on texting because it is almost impossible to use those tiny keyboards which are not pleasant, and it is a "death wish" while driving, but hey so is dialing a cell phone. A lot of people drive down the road and dial at the same time, looking at the keypad.

    2. You said, "Start with the boomers - they are generally afraid of technology that first appeared after 1970 or so. They still prefer to fly to a face to face meeting or pick up the phone."

    Ouch!!! I am a boomer and I am not afraid of technology. BTW I know a whole lot of boomers who aren't afraid of technology either.

    To say that most boomers are afraid of technology is pigeonholing us all into a simplistic little category, that I don't think is correct.

    If you doubt whether a boomer can be technologically proficient then just take a look at my website. I embrace technology.

    I must add though (in all fairness) that you did say "generally afraid" but I still think that is a stereotype.
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