Cell phones, TV remotes, and gadgets, oh my! Life as we know it has certainly become easier with all the conveniences gadgets provide.
Or has it?
As a 50+ year old, I am not a gadget person. I didn’t grow up with it, but I’ve fumbled along and embraced where we are with it. Sometimes, though, I miss the old fashioned way of doing things.
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Gadgets in the 70’s
Maybe you can relate to this, too.
I grew up playing outside in the 1970’s riding my bicycle or roller skating all day long with my friends. I only came inside when it was time to eat or watch my favorite show, “The Love Boat” at 8:00pm, then I’d hit the hay, exhausted after a full day of play.
When indoors, I enjoyed a good board game of Clue or Battleship or dancing to my favorite records playing on the record player.
Do you remember having to be careful not to jump too hard or the record would skip? Yep, me too!
Back then I didn’t have video games in my home to entertain me and social media didn’t exist. The only gadgets to be found in our home were one black and white television, a radio and a record player.
I had to stay in one place when I placed a phone call because the phone was attached to the wall. And my dad would pull out the 8-track tapes at times and we would snap pictures with our Instamatic camera.
Life Seemed Simple
Life seemed simple then.
As I got older, I would go over to a neighbor’s house to play Pong. I was entranced by it.
As a teenager, I treasured my Walkman. I remember talking to someone the first few times I had the headphones on, not realizing I was actually yelling at them because the volume was too loud. Oops! I wonder if that’s why I have trouble hearing today….hmmmm.
I grew up without all the bells and whistles that gadgetry provides today for my children’s generation. Therefore, I’m not as savvy as they are with the plethora of technology options out there. It takes me longer to get the hang of using something new. Them? They figure it out in a jif because they grew up with this stuff.
The Cell Phone Gadget
The cell phone, for instance, had me stumped for years.
I waited until the last possible moment to purchase one, about 5 years ago. The reason I finally gave in? To communicate with my teenage children when they were out and about.
And even then, I was terrible at using it. I left it at home all the time, and couldn’t figure out how to call someone on the phone.
And answering a phone call??? Forget about it! No matter how hard I hit the damn answer button, it wouldn’t work. I just didn’t have the magic touch and always dropped the call.
I didn’t understand the need to have one on my person at all times. The truth is, I really didn’t want to have one on my person so people could find me at any given moment.
But, I eventually used it more and more often. Mainly because my family and friends complained I wasn’t responding to them in a timely manner. And sometimes not at all.
With time, I began to get better at it and actually enjoyed exploring all of its features. I discovered the calculator. The calendar. The alarm clock.
Now, fast forward a few years, my phone is with me consistently. I easily use all the options and apps available to me on it. Actually appreciating all it has to offer, not to mention the convenience of having everything at my fingertips.
How did I ever get along without my music playlist readily available and the ability to send a quick text to my son to remind him to feed the dog?
Level of Ability with Gadgets
It’s interesting the level of ability people have with gadgets and technology. Some people have a knack for it. Others, not so much.
For instance, one of my co-workers is 87 years old. She is super savvy with technology and embraces the opportunity to learn new programs. In fact, she creates all the messages on our school electronic sign located on the front lawn of campus. She does so with gusto and confidence. And she is a whiz on her cell phone. At 87 years old!!!
On the other hand, one of my other co-workers, much younger than the other, does not get along with anything electronic. In fact, when he walks into a room, computers will shut off. I’ve seen it happen! Keep all gadgets far, far away from him.
Another friend of mine, Terri, writes about her technology ability, “I grew up playing outside (no computer games), spending the day at friend’s houses playing games, (no texting) and sharing family stories in person (no Instagram). And, we had photo albums. My grown boys call me “techno-challenged”.”
But as it turns out, she’s figured out how to send a payment through her Venmo account with no trouble. Yay, Terri! She’s no longer “techno-challenged”, but more like techno-bring-it-on-because-I-got-this! Well…with the exception of programming the TV remote. That gadget is a conundrum. No worries, though, we’ve got our kiddos to figure that one out!
The Future
So, what will the future hold?
One of my favorite cartoons as a kid was “The Jetsons”. Jane Jetson, the mom, had a food machine and she would place a small pill into the contraption and hit the button. After a few seconds, a beautiful, delicious looking meal would pop out. Wow!! Talk about convenience!
Or how about the transporter in “Star Trek” that would transport a person from one location to another location. No more long waits at the airport! That amazes me!
I can’t imagine that this technology will ever be available to us, but look at how far we’ve come in just my lifetime. Anything is possible.
And, yes, with all this technology, gone are the days of privacy. Can you say Social Media? Not to mention, cell phone cameras. Everyone seems to have a cell phone, so you can’t get away with anything. Not that I’m trying to. Buuuut, I have to admit, I am guilty of spying on my children and their whereabouts with the Find My Phone app. Shhh, don’t tell them.
Is Life Easier?
So, has life become easier with all the gadgets and technology of today? Ask me again when that transporter machine from Star Trek is up and running. I’ll be first in line. Beam me up…to Hawaii. Or Greece. Or Portugal. Or…..
Cheers!
Kathleen
I do remember when you would not even think getting a phone. Now you are the photo wiz with your albums.
So true! My oh my, how times have changed!
Wish we had known each other back in the day! We would have been dancing while playing records by Olivia Newton-John or The Bee Gees. Or, we would have been outside riding our bikes, playing hop scotch or jump rope. Or, remember playing Jacks or with a slinky? I also remember having sleepovers in the tent my dad would set up in the back yard for fun. I remember my mom saying “Make sure you’re back before dark!” Those were the days! Thanks for bringing back wonderful childhood memories!
So glad to have you along, Angela, as we strolled down memory lane together. Cheers!