The Wonders of Technology
Is it just me or are any of you bricking it at the thought of getting old and not having a clue how technology works?

I ask because it seems that most people who are over say 50.... have absolutly no idea how to operate current technology.

My dear old mother for instance is always asking me how to program her VCR (i know i did say current technology), retune her freeview box and she still has no idea how to send a txt message.

My boss (a woman in her late 50's) still cannot fathem how to add an attachment to an email (ffs) despite being shown several times a week for as long as i can remember.

In 30 years or so am I going to be like that? bothering the young 'uns to show me how to work things?

Dear God I hope not!
( MoeLester Don't judge a book by its movie, Wed 30 Sep 2009, 0:52, 6 replies)

It depends
There are people who are interested in keeping up with technology, others who aren't. There are people who are able to learn about new technologies and how to use them, others who aren't.

I generally don't buy too much into the "everyone over 50 cannot program their cooker". If people want to learn, they will usually manage fine.

Although my Dad does still keep sending me emails with the recipient email, subject line and email body ALL in the "To:" line of Outlook.

He wonders every time why he recieves large numbers of "Delivery Status Notification (Failure)‏"s back when he sends them.

"Delivery to the following recipients failed.

Hello"

"Delivery to the following recipients failed.

son"

"Delivery to the following recipients failed.

how"

"Delivery to the following recipients failed.

are"

"Delivery to the following recipients failed.

you"

etc
( Dixipoos Bye Bye Blackbird, Wed 30 Sep 2009, 7:55, closed)

It really does depend...
..on your interest level.
I'm 52 and have no problem with my PC, Sky+ box, TV, hard-drive DVD recorder, 5.1 surround system, iPod, X-Box, digital SLR, cooker, or dozens of other things that "were made out of tin and string when I were a lad" and now need computer chips to make them run.
On the other hand, I've never owned a mobile phone and wouldn't even know how to turn one on.
And I'm quite happy with that.....
(greatoldone Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl f'tagn, Wed 30 Sep 2009, 9:49, closed)

Perhaps your Dear Old Ma doesn't want to keep in touch with technology.
Perhaps she wants to keep in touch with you.
( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Wed 30 Sep 2009, 10:01, closed)

The over-50s generally have skills that you lack.
A basic ability to use correct English is one example that springs to mind.
( Enzyme is powered by sunlight, Wed 30 Sep 2009, 11:43, closed)

True,
They also like to tell you how old they are. "I'm 68 and I still have my own anus" Really?! great! Now fuck off and freeze death.
(The Boy Monders I have ginger bits in my beard., Wed 30 Sep 2009, 14:10, closed)

It depends on your bank balance
I'm not far off retirement age and have never been able to afford to pay to have things mended so I do it myself. Cars, bikes, garden and household equipment, even computers. Why just a few minutes ago I was
(The Jannie, Wed 30 Sep 2009, 19:19, closed)