My feelings about computer technology, and the evolving etiquettes that go with it, have a quantum quality about them.

It’s as though the tech train is bearing down on me at light speed and I can’t get out of the way; yet I feel that the same train has left the station and I’m watching it disappear into the distance.

Simultaneously coming and going, as it were.

Only quantum physics could explain that.

I’ve figured out that computers consume time. Evidence? The more we have of the former, the less we have of the latter. Einstein explained it perfectly, remember? “If I’m standing on a train travelling at the speed of light and an object moving…”
Oh, forget about it.

It used to be that we phoned someone in order to arrange a meeting. Now we text them to arrange a phone call.

Who’s got time to meet?

And on the subject of texting, I wish people would add their name. Newsflash, I don’t remember phone numbers, I’m a names person. If you want to be known by a number go to prison, or join a relay team.

But I do love social media. With facebook, I now know who my friend’s friends are. And with Linkedin, I know who my colleague’s colleagues are.

Once there was a mere handful of people in the universe of whom I was aware but couldn’t care less about.

Now there are thousands, and the number is growing exponentially. A decade ago it would have taken me ages to be disinterested in so many; but today, I can ignore them all simultaneously.

Now that’s what I call a time saver.

The thing is, with all these productivity boosters, I still have no time free, and what time I do have is increasingly being spent staring at my screen.

It can only be, as I said, that computers eat time.

But at least I know how to be polite around them.

Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Interesting thread Anthony.
I think you may find it hard to change human nature, being nice to every one has never been part of us.
My first PC 486 changed much for me.
I had learned by reading enough books to fill my house.
And starting to wounder when I will read another.
While holding it in my hands.
In every thing we take on,such as this, some drop out some miss use the whole thing.
I feel we can change little about that.
But unlike other experiments, this one will stay.
Isolation, social or other can fix views.
Age brings for some the grumpy gene .
And with little doubt,some self assured comments come from the overly confident.
And graffiti vandals,who never understand that best describes them,inflict a special wound.
I expect no changes life is reflected in what ever we under take.

Good morning Belly,
I know what you mean about books. I have admit I've become quite attached to my Ipad, especially when, while the "boss" is in Woolies, I find myself a comfortable coffe shop and all my reading needs are at hand.
So now, like you, I have a house full of the paper kind that I rarely pick up. Still, I couldn't contemplate getting rid of them, despite the pressure I get every once in a while to thin them out.
Never going to happen.
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Well you may be pleased to know Anthonyve that I am one who does not own a mobile, of any description, has never texted [is that a word], anyone & is unlikely to start doing such things now.

My daughter was surprised when I told her I was offended that she spent the entire hour in my car, mucking with her phone, when I spent the time driving to & from the airport recently, to pick her up.

I believe this is the height of rudeness, so next time she can catch the train to the closest station. Once there she can use that bloody phone to call me to see if I am available to pick her up from there.

I will probably suggest she use the thing to call a taxi.

If electronics are going to trump courtesy, I hope all their batteries are flat ones.

Hi Hasbeen,
Well put, Sir!
I had a similar experience a few years ago, when I picked up a senior executive (American) from the airport on his first trip to Australia. As soon as he was in the car, he took out his phone, opened his briefcase and I swear did not look out the window once during the entire journey.
I figured his thinking was that if it wasn't American it probably wasn't worth looking at.
Although, maybe I'm being unkind...
Cheers,
Anthony
http://www.observationpoint.com.au

Dear Hasbeen,

Boy can I relate to the rudeness of some mobile phone users.
I had an incident just a few days ago where I was
working on the Reference Desk of the Library and a
woman came in with a list of questions. While trying
to assist her I needed to ask her a few questions
to clarify her inquiries - however she ingored me
and continued talking on her mobile phone.

I ended up assisting someone else until she stopped
talking on the phone. She was livid with me. But I calmly
told her that I would be happy to help - when she was ready.
And had finished her conversation with the other person.
That I wouldn't dream of interrupting her telephone
conversation. It would be rude of me not to give her
my undivided attention. She got the message, (I think).

Yes they can get a bit rude at times Lexi, can't they.

Of course I should have mentioned it was my younger daughter who can't put her phone down, the older one would never behave this way.

Does this prove it is yet another problem with the younger generation?

Dear Hasbeen

No, the lady wasn't a teenager.
She was 40ish. And should
have known better.

Hasbeen I understand your thoughts about mobile phones.
I have become a refugee from mine.
See like every one at work you just can not hide from them.
Tex ting took time.
I never wanted it never tried it but was forced to, after my in box was found to be filled.
My abrupt retirement, informing my boss of his faults, those I could remember while shouting, saw my phone continue to ring.
It has always rang about 35 times a day.
You just had to answer,
Even if it was 2am.
But in my new life it continued, for month after month.
It still does, but it is locked in my car, no house phone no intention.
I read every day.
And bless what ever drove me as a kid to buy a 32 volume set of books on dairy cattle at a sale that lead to a life full of reading and learning.

Lexi my dear, I'm surprised at you.

I thought you knew me well enough to recognize my jokes by now. You've missed a few recently, so you must look for them, they are to make you smile more.

Still I do understand. There are so many people demand all the service in the world, but do nothing to warrant anyone wanting to give it to them.

Good on you belly, that's the shot.

Even after trying to be removed from the call lists, I find many of my calls are from "overseas". These I pick up the phone, & then put it down, off the hook.

My kids do go crook on me when I forget to put it back for a day or two, but the peace is wonderful.

Dear Hasbeen,

Now who's taking me too seriously?
It works both ways.

You know how fond I am of you, you old sea salt.
And I'm sorry if I'm not always tuned in. I've
had a bugger of a week - so you'll have to forgive me.
It's that time of the year.

Anthony wrote:

>... It’s as though the tech train is bearing down on me at light speed ... Only quantum physics could explain that. ...

If the train is traveling at "light speed" then it is the special theory of relativity you need which you need to worry about, not quantum mechanics. ;-)

>It used to be that we phoned someone in order to arrange a meeting. Now we text them to arrange a phone call.

There is a simple solution to this: don't do it. You can use technology to avoid time wasting meetings. When someone contacts you to arrange a meeting, try to settle whatever the matter the meeting was to be about, so no meeting is necessary. See my book chapter on "How to Read and Write E-mail Messages": http://www.tomw.net.au/nt/intrnt.html

>Once there was a mere handful of people in the universe of whom I was aware but couldn’t care less about. Now there are thousands, and the number is growing exponentially. ...

Due to the Six Degrees of Separation phenomenon you only need to know a few people to be in touch with everyone in the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_degrees_of_separation

Hi Tom,
Your book look very useful. I shall delve for ideas.
Thank you.
Also, will mention that, as i hope the name implied, i was being satirical.
Cheers,
Anthony