This aging thing finds more 'stuff' beyond my ability to comprehend. My lack of technological education coupled with a lack of motivation to dig deeper into the tech-world literature places me in the bottom of the communication and informational class.
On the 'one-hand,' I envy the younger generation with this 'new age' knowledge. On the other hand, I sense they have been cheated or at least compromised. Let me explain.
In this New Year (2017) walk into most any American home and you would likely find a family seated around a large screen television. During any commercial break each person, adult and teens will then engage a personal 'computer-cell-phone devise. They are mostly oblivious to others nearby.
That same home setting 70-years ago saw all family members seated in front of a large box with huge dial knobs and a lighted numbered face with a arrow-needle, which was moved across those numbers by turning the large knobs. It was a console-radio. We 'listened' to stories told and voice-acted threw that radio's speakers. Programs like 'The Lone Ranger,' 'The Fat Man,' 'Gangbusters,', 'The Shadow' and 'One Man's Family.' We were required to use our imagination as the verbal stories unfolded. We had to 'paint' the story's picture. Oh, and during commercials, we visited with one another and sorted out opinions of the program's storyline and where it might be going.
Seventy years ago, we did a lot of 'stuff' like that as a family. We ate supper together and often went to the backyard to play croquet, badminton or shoot baskets. We sat on swings together and cranked the handle of a homemade ice cream maker. Neighbors often walked into our backyard and visited us. We actually knew everybody who lived near our house.
I guess the thing that concerns me is that the lack of tech-smarts can be circumvented by calling a 'Geek Squad' member to your house for consultation. However, who the hell will my grandkids call to hone their imagination or develop family relationship bonds?
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