Tell me and I forget; teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn. (Benjamin Franklin)
It shouldn't do so because it is a case of each to their own really, but I do suffer from varying degrees of irritation by people who say they are too old to learn something new or who say the old way is the best and therefore the only way. Let's be frank - It may indeed be the best, but have they tried a new way?
Maybe I'm lucky but I enjoy experimenting and actually learning something new and I have a list of things to learn when I retire - whatever that word means - and although not a part of this Blog - a mild digression; I have also been exercised recently by the meaning of words - Brexit comes to mind!! Surely the biggest problem here is that given there was nothing other than a vague notion of Brexit (in or out of Europe, yes or no!), I think a lot of people who voted to leave have very different ideas as to what "leave" meant! It's a little like reading a book and imagining in your mind the voice of the characters which, when the film is made, don't at all come out like you imagined. More confusion. Anyway - back to the joys of learning!
Throughout history our ancestors were often faced with new things to learn and understand, when they weren't killing each other that is, and today is no different (minus the killing - so far!) although I grant you that things change perhaps at a more frightening speed than they did in the past.
We take for granted the flushing toilet for example - but it took many years to be perfected, and if it hadn't been we would of course be knee-deep in unpleasant brown stuff by now. Steam engines, another great invention and where would we be without electricity - although actually sadly there are still people living today who do not have that benefit (about 1.1bn at the last count).
But today it is the turn of technology to take centre stage in a bid - in many cases - to make our lives easier. For many older people this is becoming a nightmare. It's too fast, it's too complicated, and too invasive for many, and as a result they don't even try. I hear them say "I'm too old to learn that", or "why should I be bothered?" I do understand, it's a question of choice and we also have to be honest and say that there are some technological developments that are downright anti-social. Messaging applications? Great innovation - but not when you are so addicted that everyone is sitting round a dinner table sending messages to all and sundry. "What are you doing?" you ask - "just talking to my friends!" - No you're not! Talking means uttering words that other people can hear. BUT using messaging appropriately - and using the voice calls over the internet even over huge distances and for no cost, are enormous benefits.
Part of the issue though is surely a bit like Brexit, the lack of instructions - at least that are intelligible to the average human being over 50.
Deliver an iPad or something similar to a person unfamiliar with the technology and they open the box to find ... an iPad. No instructions! Ooh - where is the on/off button, and how do I set it up? You run into those sort of difficulties and you need to find the nearest 10-year-old who will happily (but without a great deal of explanation), sort it out for you. Still no instructions.
Then there is the security involved around using technology - passwords, finger prints and facial recognition. The older generation gets rather confused, not to say worried, by the necessity to have passwords (and being told not to write them down), or use a thumb print to open an application - or heaven forbid actually use facial recognition - despite the fact that facial recognition is very sophisticated and remarkably secure.
The point is - despite the occasional negative, many things in the world today have been designed to make our experiences more interesting and enjoyable. From playing the music of your choice, to reading or listening to books, from learning languages, to speaking to friends and relatives across continents for no cost - even seeing them on a screen - ordering clothes and food online, are not scary things to be avoided at all costs. But they do need to be understood and I would echo the words of Benjamin Franklin particularly when it comes to involvement. Learning should keep the mind active and not be something feared, at any age.
If you know a reluctant technology user who is merely holding back because they don't know how - then show them. Better still, depending on their age, write it down so they know how to do it themselves the next time. I know that I am on the lookout for something new to learn every day - and I don't intend to stop. The technology world, like it or not, is here to stay and if you know which bits are useful to you - embrace them. Although having written all this as a "note to others" - some will have to work out how to access this Blog first!!
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