Virtual Insanity

More random reflection on life in the digital age. It's interesting how different my generation is to that of, say, my parents. Now of course all young folk follow different trend to that of their forebears, and maybe my perception is no different to previous generation's but I do feel that technology is widening the gap in how people of different ages approach the world.

One thing that has brought about significant change is automated checkouts. As Bill Bailey said 'you know, the one with two extra members of staff!' And this highlights the problem. Our local ASDA is well equipped with this stuff, sporting automated purchasing points for both goods and petrol.

















Some older folks will avoid these and fear them - it is not part of their understanding and they would rather deal with a person. I tend to regard this as irrational and I'm easily irritated by the cautious pace people take with these devices and how they have to keep asking questions. 'It's obvious' I think, ;just read what it says on the screen'.

I think this is another generational element. People of my age, and tech savvy nerds who grew up on 'super calculators' in the seventies, are used to developing, changing technology and to adapting to it on the fly. We will readily fiddle, change, turn off and on again and keep going until it works while others are left browsing the instruction manual. That's not to say I can do everything, nor am I acquainted with even half the tech that's out there, and yeah it was confusing the first time I used the auto pump - but heck, it's a chip and pin device with a touch screen - I can use both of those, why not do it together!

Conversely though I guess I am afraid of something in the same scenario - I prefer to avoid the checkout now there's the option. If I mess something up I won't get embarrassed in front of a computer, a computer won't say something weird and expect a conversational reply, a computer won't judge me for my food purchases. Again, I have to admit I do sometimes enjoy conversations with people at the tills, but buying petrol from a person is something I will always avoid when I have the opportunity.

I might be better equipped for the modern world, but I do wonder which disposition is ultimately better or worse?

Word of the post: Pedagogy–noun,plural-gies.

1. the function or work of a teacher; teaching.

2. the art or science of teaching; education; instructional methods.