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Luddite? Fudd-ite*?
Nah, just hippie
Originally published 10/16/06 on Cadet Spiff's Deep Space Log
"Gaaah! Stupid machine!"
The Redheaded Hippie Chick was exasperated, and I was doing my best to play calm and collected tech support professional on the other end of the phone. It was day three of reformat-the-computer-sure-it-will-be-easy, and things were not going well.
"Gawd, I hate Microsoft!" She went on, unabated, while I listened patiently. "The stupid CD won't let me reinstall, because it says I already have a newer version of Windows!
"I've tried calling about six different numbers to get some help, and none of them work... all I get is menu after menu; what I wouldn't give to have somebody to bitch at!"
At this point, I step in. I once worked for a software company which sold products chock-full of "undocumented features", as we called the bugs that constantly popped up in our under-tested and poorly-coded products. I was accustomed to this kind of frustration.
"Sweetheart," I said as cooly as I could, "let me take a look at it after I take the girls home. I'll take a look at some websites to see what I can find about reformatting the drive and doing a clean install."
Long story short, I was able to get the machine formatted, reinstall the operating system, and start getting the computer back to where it was previously. With any luck, we'll soon get all the old programs reinstalled and the major files back in place where they belong.
But I look at the frustration technology causes us. Who hasn't screamed at the blue screen of death? Who doesn't fume at a dropped call?
Isn't technology supposed to make out lives easier?
Don't get me wrong; I'm no Luddite. I like my PlayStation 2 and my computer and my TIVO and all the other wonderful and convenient devices that modern technology affords us. But I also believe that it adds to our daily frustration.
As a society, we want more and we want it now. We want 500 channels to watch. We want all the music we own at our fingertips. We want information and entertainment at the speed of light.
Why?
Do we need that much distraction? Are we so stricken with societal ADD that the only way to get us to pay attention is to overwhelm ourselves with information and options?
A couple of Sundays ago, the Redheaded Hippie Chick and I convinced the Rockstar and his ladyfriend to get out of the house and do a bit of hiking at Ruffner Mountain. The weather was great, and it was surprising to be able to get so close to nature while being essentially next to the Birmingham Airport.
"Man, this is just about perfect," I puffed as we made our way along the trail.
"Yeah, but where's my wi-fi connection?" the Rockstar replied.
"No doubt," agreed his girlfriend. "I'd love to go camping, as long as I could take my computer and my DVD player."
I bit my tongue as the sun shone down on the four of us. The sun doesn't care whether we have our iPods or our laptops.
Just the way I like it.
Not to get all Walden on everyone, but I like getting away from the computer. And the TV. And everything else, at least once in a while. Nature provides me with all the sensory stimulus I need, as well as the escapism.
Peace. Be still.
And I've never had the woods pop up a blue screen of death on me.
* fuddite (n): One dedicated to using only the technology endorsed by Elmer Fudd. Mainly deals with shotguns, anvils, and magic helmets.
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