As a kid back in the very early ’60s I pick up the phone and start to spin the dial. Before I dial, I hear Mrs. Long talking to Betty down the street. I softly interrupt saying, "Mrs. Long, how long before I can call Teresa and see if she can come out and play?" She says, "Hi, Ronny, I’ll be off the phone in five minutes call back then." "OK, sorry to bother you, thanks Mrs. Long and Mrs. Crocker." Worked for us back then and I know some of you remember those party lines too.
Has technology changed, you bet! Let’s take a look at a couple of others. My dad’s remote control for TV started when I learned to walk. He would say, "Hey, change that to channel 13." I would jump up and do it. Then he would add, "While you are there move the right rabbit-ear back a little — it will give me a better picture." Of course, with only 3 channels in total, I did not have to change the channel too often. It was a modern console TV, 22", black and white with knobs.
At one time, my older brother was away in the Coast Guard and my mom would handwrite a letter to him once a week or so to check on him. Put it in an envelope and go to the post office to mail it at the unreasonably high price of a $0.04 stamp.
Speaking of prices, I forgot to mention my dad having the high-end TV repaired once or twice. The TV repair guy would come out to the house for 20 minutes take out six screws, replace a tube and charge my dad $5 dollars total. What a horrible world.
Today things have changed. Antenna, what is a TV antenna much less, rabbit-ears. Now we can watch hundreds of channels from all over the world, in many languages and live sporting events. All streamed to a 70-inch high-definition screen with full vibrant 3-D color and fantastic stereo supersonic sound bars.
Remote controls…we now have three or four laying around. The problem is figuring out which one controls what. No wonder kids are considered lazy today.
As far as fixing the TV, if you get a service contract when you buy it, it may be fixed for free. Or unfortunately, in my opinion, they get you to toss it out and buy a new one. Is that a step up?
My nephew is currently in the Navy in Japan. We play a golf game on our phones together occasionally; although, the time zones are limiting. I can also call him on that same phone and not only talk but look at each other as we speak.
Today, I am sitting in my recliner and can say aloud, "Hey Google, call Teresa." The Google Home device begins to dial and I am talking to my childhood friend 300 miles away…and did I mention it asks me if I want to call her cell or home number? And no more long distance? Oh, and I did not even get out of the recliner.
So what is your opinion? Has technology changed us and if so, for better or worse?
