Life Matters

The joys of new technology

By Linda Petersen
Posted 3/28/18

Life is so much easier with the advancement of new, every day, technology. One of the most delightful things in my life is the ability to go to the refrigerator where ice magically appears in my soon-to-be filled with Diet Coke cup. My memory of ice in

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Life Matters

The joys of new technology

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Life is so much easier with the advancement of new, every day, technology. One of the most delightful things in my life is the ability to go to the refrigerator where ice magically appears in my soon-to-be filled with Diet Coke cup. My memory of ice in the “olden days” was from a metal ice cube tray with a metal ice cube shaper. The cubes needed to come out by pulling on the metal handle and rocking it back and forth. Often, pieces of ice would fly willy-nilly onto the floor or up against my neck where it would then fall inside my blouse. Brrrr! What a good life I have now with automatic ice cubes direct from my fridge!

My compassion went out to every father who carried one of the old video cameras on their family vacation to Disney World. The clunky, obstructive device would either sit heavily on his shoulder, or he would be carrying it, leaving him no arms with which to participate in the day. He may have obtained videos of his family in the “happiest place on earth,” but I would assume he wasn’t so happy! The use of video recording on one’s smart phone has replaced that monstrosity, and saved many a vacation. Additionally, dad could now be in the pictures while taking selfies.

Speaking of smart phones, my earliest memory of the phone included our party line with an unknown neighbor, who, ostensibly, could listen in at any time. Our telephone number began with RE(gent), and the phone had a rotary dial. For those unfamiliar with this technique, one would put his finger in the spot of the number he wanted to dial, and then drag it around until it reached the O. Dialing took extra time, and would become moot should the party line also want to call someone at the same time.

Trying to find a client’s house when I worked a social worker was impossible without a street directory and magnifier. It took a great deal of time to find the tiny street, which often took longer than necessary when it was obstructed by my own finger. Today, using a GPS is a joyous occasion, not only for the amazing turn-by-turn directions and estimated arrival time, but also for the company of an “English speaking gentleman” living inside. Joyous in more ways than one!

The biggest change in home life is the continuing explosion in television channels. My earliest memory of TV is a small, black and white fish bowl shaped screen in a heavy, wooden cabinet. The miracle of so many youngsters dancing about in Romper Room made my childhood brain question how they fit inside the tiny TV. Channels 6, 10, 12 and 2 were all that was available, so what to watch was an easy choice. Today, the number of regular channels and paid TV channels is overwhelming. There are so many new choices and new shows that it is impossible to tell the good ones from the awful ones. With the exception of watching the soap opera on CNN, my choice is to read a good book. Less confusion that way.

I noticed a new bank service that is available; the ability to deposit a check just by taking a picture of it and sending it to the bank. Unbelievable! I would say I will never use this system, but after years of practice with new technology, it will only be a matter of months before my checks smile for their photos and are whisked off into my bank account.

The one area in which I am most disappointed is the lack of advancement in alarm clocks. Yes, it can now buzz, flash a light and shake a bed, but I still don’t wake up. My new invention will be one that uses a conveyer belt to slide me out of my comfy spot and plop me loudly onto the floor so I will wake up. Shark Tank, here I come!

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