THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’

I have daily reminders that I am getting older.

* Sometimes, I look at my husband while we are watching television and ask, “What was that a commercial for?” Neither of us has any idea what the product being advertised is. That must mean we don’t need it. Or the marketing is woefully off target.

*  I can’t scan a bar code to make a reservation or make videos with my phone because it is a dumb-as-in-not-smart-flip phone that makes phone calls and gives me texting ability. My old one didn’t text.

* I abhor self-check out lines, especially when you have a lot to check out. I’d rather stand in a line and be checked out than do it myself.

* I already miss pennies. Their demise just seems like another reason to drive everyone away from cash and to a debit or credit card. How hard would it have been to make them from something cheaper?

* I write checks to pay my bills. You used to get books of fifty to one hundred checks. Now, they come in books of thirty. Very few of us must still be writing checks.   

* I liked balancing my check book when you actually flipped through physical checks to do it. Some of my nieces and nephews wrote ‘Thank you’ over their endorsement on the back knowing I’d see the returned check and then they considered themselves off the hook for a thank you note. If they still do that, I don’t see the back of the check. But I do sometimes get a thank you e-mail. 

* I detest trying to fix a problem through the AI generated customer service. It was hard enough when you got a live person on the phone who might be patient with the old woman on this end of the phone. I must not speak fluent AI…or they don’t learn very quickly because they keep asking me the same question and trying to pawn me off on their website–and that was where I started!

I had a long career in information systems so it probably seems strange that I don’t embrace all the new technologies—I refuse to say they are all advancements. Email communication and text messages are efficient and I use them in my author life. But no technology replaces a voice telephone call to really connect with the other person. Of course, the best is a face-to-face meeting where hugs are exchanged before anything else.

The older I get, the less I like much of the business world around me. I am becoming a modern age Luddite. You history majors will remember that Luddites were the English factory workers who smashed machines during the Industrial Revolution because they feared the machines were taking over their jobs. According to the Oxford dictionary, today it is a derogatory term meaning being opposed to new technology and ways of working.

I can live with that. I’ve been called worse. Enjoy! 

14 thoughts on “THE TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN’”

  1. Good Evening Kim!! I just got around to reading your comments. I agreed and loved each one!! I still love talking to people on the phone & sending cards to Everyone!! Stay Warm my Friend!!

  2. I enjoyed your post so much, Kim. I laughed and agreed with it all. As much as I try to embrace technology, I find myself at war with it most of the time, especially when attempting to solve a problem.

  4. You made me smile Kim! Your email was an unexpected treat on a cold Illinois winter day. It is difficult to remain flexible at our age….in more ways than one. We gotta keep stretching that comfort zone. 🙂

  6. I’d add my irritation at most people who can’t allow five minutes to go by without engaging with the phone. God forbid there’s a lull in conversation or they have to scroll through, full of FOMO (fear of missing out). Not long before we are all phased out with the rest of the analog devices…:(

  7. Hi Kim, I enjoyed your comments. I have to agree with you and add that verification codes are a real PITA. I understand the need since the world is also made up of less than honest folks.

  8. I’m with you Kim! Must be our age! There isn’t anything you touched on that I don’t agree with. But I would add one thing. I love snail mail! There’s not much I enjoy more, except maybe a phone call from that person. But a long, newsy letter is wonderful!

    Dolly Brunner

  9. How true. Also, my husband even has a flip phone that doesn’t connect to the Internet. All it does is make phone calls.
    Mary Ann Jacobs The Berkshire Mystery Series

  10. Kim, I agree with you on most of your points. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I’m glad that I grew up when I did. I feel badly for the youth of today. Hopefully, they do not feel disadvantaged. Perhaps our predecessors felt that our generation was disadvantaged. However, I differ with you on the subject of self-checkout. I bring cloth bags and like to pack my own groceries. While the checkout personnel are always accommodating the rare occasion that I choose a full-service line, I always feel as if I’m throwing a wrench into their routine. And despite my affinity for Abraham Lincoln, I welcome the phase-out of the penny. Inflation has rendered it impractical. We used to have “dime stores”. Now, even “dollar stores” rarely sell anything for a dollar. Lastly, I’m doing my level best to prolong the tradition of the Thank You Card/Note. Those of my nieces and nephews who send them have my admiration.

  11. This is so funny, Kim. I do almost every bullet point above!! Must be our age!!! Haha. Sara Blackbourn

  13. Never change! I love that you do things how you want to and not dictated by technology. Love you!

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