Nothing seems stable anymore.

[debodun]

Too much - too fast.

There are things that are necessary for human societal development (or we'd still be living in caves squatting by an open fire), but so many advancements seem gratuitous.

Society is a lot more mobile than a few decades ago. People don't put down roots like they used to.

Technology is changing and advancing so rapidly, if you buy a new computer by the time you get it home, it's outdated.

There seems to be a new version of Windows about every 2 years.

Landline phones were replaced by cell, then smart phones.

CRT TVs have been replaced by flat panels.

OTA TV was replaced by cable and even that is getting outdated with streaming and XUMO.

More and more "gadgets" on appliances and in vehicles.

To me it's kinda scary. Your thoughts?

 

[MarciKS]

i too am not sure i like all the changes taking place. at my age things are starting to get beyond my knowledge. just getting the new tv and gaming console set up was a challenge for me. had to do lots of googling.

 

[That Lady in PA]

Dh had a plaque in his office:

Change or Die.

It is just as true now, as it was in the 80s, 90s, and 00s

 

[Babs2u]

Its the pace that is frightening. My dad travelled by horse and buggy as a child. Even in my lifetime we had to go into the city to use the Univac computer which took up an entire wall. One wonders what is next.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I'm fine with changes when they work to my advantage, but most of the technological changes I see (for example, following a computer update) do not make my online experience easier, but worse. I often search tech sites to find a way to bypass those changes or revert to how it was before.

I was perfectly content with my Android display of phone contacts all in neat alphabetical order. After an update that disappeared and now it displays some weird combination of call history, most recently called contacts, and more. I've tried unsuccessfully to fix it, but nope - I have to live with it.

On another subject, 2 major fast food places here have installed kiosks for total order handling. FOR NOW, a live employee can be found (only upon request) to take and process an order - but that is discouraged - they want everyone to use the machine.

I saw a post "change or die." I will do both, as will all of us.

 

[Sunkist]

This is a rather large apartment complex.. quite a few tenants go to the laundromat, because the landlords/property manager decided to have the coin-operated washing machines and dryers removed and replaced with machines that only work with Smart phones..

Not everyone has Smart phones.. and even some of us who do are not ok with doing anything financial on phones.

 

[Mike]

I was perfectly content with my Android display of phone contacts all in neat alphabetical order. After an update that disappeared and now it displays some weird combination of call history, most recently called contacts, and more. I've tried unsuccessfully to fix it, but nope - I have to live with it.

I know what you are on about MacTexas, I had
similar, if your calling screen is on Recent, or
all, look left, under the Contacts Button, there
is another button, "View Contacts", that will
take you to the alphabetical list.

Mike.

 

[outlander]

Create your own reality and resist. One can still live a simple life, nonconformity is not that difficult if some thought is put into it.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I know what you are on about MacTexas, I had
similar, if your calling screen is on Recent, or
all, look left, under the Contacts Button, there
is another button, "View Contacts", that will
take you to the alphabetical list.

Mike.

Thank you,Mike. Yes, I see what you're writing about, and I can do that 2 step operation, but later when I return to the phone, it always has to be repeated and cannot be set to continually display an alphabetical list of contacts each time the app is accessesd as it used to.

 

[Mike]

Thank you,Mike. Yes, I see what you're writing about, and I can do that 2 step operation, but later when I return to the phone, it always has to be repeated and cannot be set to continually display an alphabetical list of contacts each time the app is accessesd as it used to.

When you leave the app, Mack, use the left arrow at the bottom of the
handset, it will take you back to the calling page, I always use the left
arrow, when leaving any area, you don't have too much stuff on the
screen if you do.

Mike.

 

[HoneyNut]

To me it's kinda scary. Your thoughts?

A lot of the advances I like. Especially medical advances like stents and stroke medicine. I wish there would be more advances for spinal stenosis, but maybe that will get some attention.

Having been able (sometimes) to work remotely and securely was a great advance that I appreciated.

I have adapted finally to smart phones, I was just remembering the other day the first time I had a passenger that had an app to give driving directions, it was so cool. And I just love my Fitbit telling me about my steps and my sleep, and showing me my phone notifications, letting me pay by holding my wrist over the pay device, etc. If I could afford it I'd get an actual smart watch.

I'm surprised how un-enthusiastic I am about "facetime". When I was young and cartoons had future people seeing each other when they made phone calls I thought that was awesome, but in real life I am not ready to be seen! If someone tries to FaceTime me they can count on the call going unanswered and getting a text from me instead.

The modern light weight flat screen tvs get a big thumbs up from me.

AI is the scary change to me, some of it is nice, but AI customer service is not advanced enough to be really helpful, and it is advanced enough to not be easily bypassed on a phone system (I had that experience this morning, still feeling annoyed).

 

[Jules]

On another subject, 2 major fast food places here have installed kiosks for total order handling. FOR NOW, a live employee can be found (only upon request) to take and process an order - but that is discouraged - they want everyone to use the machine.

I would use a machine if it didn’t want my phone number or any other identifier. A manager was trying to convince us to use our phones; I told him we didn’t have one. Then we sat and read them while waiting for our meal.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I would use a machine if it didn’t want my phone number or any other identifier. A manager was trying to convince us to use our phones; I told him we didn’t have one. Then we sat and read them while waiting for our meal.

So far as I know the kiosk does not require your phone number but payment by credit card is required. I see no place to deposit cash. All who are okay with impersonalization, entering and leaving business places conversationless, and people losing their jobs should be fine with using kiosks.

 

[Ruthanne]

Too much - too fast.

There are things that are necessary for human societal development (or we'd still be living in caves squatting by an open fire), but so many advancements seem gratuitous.

Society is a lot more mobile than a few decades ago. People don't put down roots like they used to.

Technology is changing and advancing so rapidly, if you buy a new computer by the time you get it home, it's outdated.

There seems to be a new version of Windows about every 2 years.

Landline phones were replaced by cell, then smart phones.

CRT TVs have been replaced by flat panels.

OTA TV was replaced by cable and even that is getting outdated with streaming and XUMO.

More and more "gadgets" on appliances and in vehicles.

To me it's kinda scary. Your thoughts?

Those things are true enough. Some folks still use landlines and I am one of them.. I can't seem to part with it. Plus many companies and friends and family have my landline number. One day I may part with it especially if the bill gets any higher.

 

[hollydolly]

This is a rather large apartment complex.. quite a few tenants go to the laundromat, because the landlords/property manager decided to have the coin-operated washing machines and dryers removed and replaced with machines that only work with Smart phones..

Not everyone has Smart phones.. and even some of us who do are not ok with doing anything financial on phones.

I have had an iphone various models for years... and I still refuse to do any financial dealings or banking on there, or use it for Applepay etc.

My now X was always frustrated with me ..he uses his for everything that I won't..pays for everything using Applepay when in a store...... he said it was very safe as long as I kept my phone locked... but I just don't trust it....and so I don't.. and I hope I'm never forced to...

That said with regard the OP.. I do really think it's an age thing. if I was 20 again..I would be absolutely delighted things are moving fast.... but at this age I am not...

 

[CaliS]

I have sort of a love / hate relationship with change and technology.

Some of it is good, some scary, some frustrating....

I'm ready to move to a quieter place and live a bit of an old fashioned lifestyle, except for my computer - of course!

 

[hollydolly]

Its the pace that is frightening. My dad travelled by horse and buggy as a child. Even in my lifetime we had to go into the city to use the Univac computer which took up an entire wall. One wonders what is next.

My first office job when I was just 15.. in a Computer company.. and punch tape operating room... the one and only Computer was as big as the room, and only the men were allowed to operate it...

I was the only female allowed in there, because as the OJ I had to operate the Roneo machine which was housed in the same room

I think back and remember that when I was a tiny girl... Tram buses were on the roads in common use ... Coalmen and different other traders delivered with a horse and cart...
There were no supermarkets in Scotland .. only small versions of what became larger stores eventually.

Tesco our largest chain , didn't open their first store until 1970..... but certainly the grocery stores of where we did our shoppng had no checkouts ... and I remember the excitement when I was a young teen when we could take a basket and or trolley and serve outselves from the shelves,,, and pay a cashier at the end

There's a huge amount of change that has happened since I was small..I could go on and on...... and we're not talking centuries... just 70 years

 

[RambleTamble]

I love the advances in technology.

• The picture on my new TV looks almost 3D -- even for old movies. It's great!
• We no longer need to look at paper maps or write down directions. Just enter your origin and destination into Google maps and it will tell you how to get there! It even takes into consideration traffic congestion and construction!
• We can order nearly everything online any more. No more traveling to a store and wasting all that time looking for what you need, and having to deal with salespeople. Now we can just do a little research online, look at the reviews, order it, and have it delivered. Piece of cake! It makes life so much easier, and we don't have to worry about somebody trying to screw us since we can easily return the product and write a nasty review if they're not helpful or honest. That wasn't possible when you had to shop in person.

The only negative things are maybe the cost of broadband and of course, the cost of housing... and vehicles. Other things are cheaper, such as big screen TVs.

 

[Knight]

Adapting to what I need to & ignoring what has no impact on me. Being able to read opinions from other seniors from all over the world on a variety of topics fascinates me. Technology at it's finest.

 

[January]

That is the key - use what you want and ignore the rest

Even simple things like the calendar on my phone - I ignore it,still prefer a paper diary and calendar.but other things I do use.

 

[Nathan]

I take advantage of what technology has to offer. However, I find the changing user ID validation and security practices to be annoying. I do realize the necessity, and that keeping the criminals at bay is a constantly evolving challenge. Just today in logging onto Social Security website I had to provide a selfie photo, and a snapshot of both sides of my drivers license, which then generated a 16 digit key for future log-in.

 

[Murrmurr]

Minor changes, however inconvenient, always lead to major changes. I don't like them, either, and I totally resist the really inconvenient ones, like the ones that require an extra minute or two of my time . But I like to imagine they'll lead to a life of absolute convenience (that I probly won't live long enough to enjoy).

 

[Paco Dennis]

You can be sure of one thing. Tomorrow will be different.

 

[StarSong]

A lot of the advances I like. Especially medical advances like stents and stroke medicine. I wish there would be more advances for spinal stenosis, but maybe that will get some attention.

Having been able (sometimes) to work remotely and securely was a great advance that I appreciated.

I have adapted finally to smart phones, I was just remembering the other day the first time I had a passenger that had an app to give driving directions, it was so cool. And I just love my Fitbit telling me about my steps and my sleep, and showing me my phone notifications, letting me pay by holding my wrist over the pay device, etc. If I could afford it I'd get an actual smart watch.

I'm surprised how un-enthusiastic I am about "facetime". When I was young and cartoons had future people seeing each other when they made phone calls I thought that was awesome, but in real life I am not ready to be seen! If someone tries to FaceTime me they can count on the call going unanswered and getting a text from me instead.

The modern light weight flat screen tvs get a big thumbs up from me.

AI is the scary change to me, some of it is nice, but AI customer service is not advanced enough to be really helpful, and it is advanced enough to not be easily bypassed on a phone system (I had that experience this morning, still feeling annoyed).

Agreed with all, including (especially) the bit about AI.

I have had an iphone various models for years... and I still refuse to do any financial dealings or banking on there, or use it for Applepay etc.

Same for me. I refuse to have any payment abilities or banking details on my phone.

Computers and the internet have miraculously brought the world into our homes. We can find the answer to virtually any question in under a second after clicking "enter." We don't even have to frame the questions all that well.

Example: Remember when we used to have random thoughts about an old, half-remembered movie? If you asked your friends, "Do you remember that actor who was in one of those old Rock Hudson movies? Doris Day was in it, too. What was that guy's name?"

Your friends would have thought you were nuts to think they could come up with whatever random actor was crossing your mind given how little information you were offering.

Today, all you have to do is type in Rock Hudson and Doris Day, and their movies pop up. Look at the casts for each movie and within a couple of minutes you'll have the answer.

This kind of thing just happened in this very thread: @MACKTEXAS and @Mike are roughly 5000 miles apart, yet had a conversation today about Mack's frustration with a new phone, and Mike's experience and solution to that very problem.

 

[hollydolly]

So true @StarSong ^^^^.... ..and easy info in an instant... my mother would have been astonished at me talking in an empty kitchen just now for example and being given a reply out of thin air...

I went downstairs, and not wanting to use the spanking new grill on my new stove.. I asked Google Home hub mini which is in my kitchen ..how long it would take to cook Cheese on Toast in the Airfryer... back came the answer in seconds... and 5 minutes later I had perfectly delicious cheese on toast...