Just before I left school (back in the dark ages according to my children), we were first introduced to computers. I say computers, those of your born after the Millennium would not recognise the black screen and green writing on what equated to a small television set. I vaguely remember tackling some simple “programming”. When the teacher tried to explain binary code to us I remember my brain coming over all funny, I could not get my head around it.
Now our lives revolve around “technology,” we literally eat, sleep and breathe it. When I suggested to one of my children the other day to look something up in a dictionary, they looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. What did we do before the virtual God that is Google?
Then it occurred to me how much I’ve learned over the years, how I’ve had to teach myself to use spreadsheets, use statistical programmes and databases, filling in forms online, turning documents into PDF’s, and I’ve done this all by trial and error. My smugness was further heightened when I was asked to scan some documents and email them, for my eldest son. I then realised how adaptable human beings are, and how even though I’m a dinosaur according to my children, I’m actually very current and modern. I think anyone who grew up with black and white tv, big heavy typewriters and blackboards and chalk should be congratulated for being able to negotiate social media, order goods online and fill in online forms.
From now on I am going to make sure I keep up with the latest trends, even if they scare me. I will be “instagraming,” face-booking, tweeting and ordering online.
Whoever said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?
