I Was Thinking... Being a Luddite

Apparently, even at my age, I’m not too old to learn something new. Unfortunately, what I learned is that I’m probably somewhat of a “Luddite.” To those of you that are also baffled by the term, I’ll try to explain.
In the 19th century, Europe was entering the industrial age. New machine technology was beginning to replace workers. This was especially true in the textile industry. As machines proved they could complete certain tasks faster and cheaper, many people lost their jobs.
Ned Ludd led a movement of workers that not only protested but were also involved in clandestine raids into the factories that actually destroyed the machines that had replaced them. Throughout history, man has continued to create technology that often does things better and faster than had been done by individual laborers in the past. But today, the meaning of a Luddite has also evolved.
The modern definition of Luddite doesn’t necessarily refer to machines that take our jobs, but to the ineptitude some of us feel with technology in general. It seems technology today is moving forward in leaps and bounds and some of us struggle to keep up. We are becoming Luddites.
When at Christmas I received a new road atlas, some questioned why anyone would want a book made up of maps when GPS is at your fingertips right on your phone. I’m a Luddite. When I complained about the number of checks I’d written to pay bills lately, someone else said, “You still write checks? That is so old school.”
I’m a Luddite because I haven’t yet embraced auto bill paying for all my accounts or don’t use my phone to handle my finances. While the last TV we purchased is a “smart TV,” the owner isn’t, so I haven’t been able to avail myself of all the features it apparently has to offer. I’m a Luddite.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not anti-technology. It’s just that I can’t seem to keep up. My family convinced me to dump my flip phone and get a smart phone and I did. I love many of the features, I can take great pictures, text very slowly, check the weather app and play games.
Unfortunately, most of the other apps that appear on the screen are still a mystery. But I’m trying. This is in contrast to a friend of mine that has adopted a “Pure Luddite” attitude. He hates all technology.
Let’s just call him “Hal” after the AI computer in the 1968 movie “2001- A Space Odyssey” that took over and refused commands of his human commander. My friend Hal feels technology in general is out to get him. While he owns a computer and does e-mail, something eventually will go wrong and it’s the technology that is plotting against him.
Hal’s family convinced him to get a smart phone, but he has protected himself by refusing to carry it. Even the internet develops glitches just to aggravate him. As with the Luddites of old, he may also be in favor of late-night excursions to destroy all the machines.
While I can’t imagine what lies ahead in technological advances, I’m amazed by what is happening even if I don’t understand it all. On a recent trip to the Mayo Clinic, we visited the cafeteria. Scurrying around delivering trays of food to patrons was a robot. What looked like a small glass cabinet with three drawers, it moved independently about the cafeteria and around people with their meal orders. It would stop in a specific area and then a human would take a tray out and take it to the proper table.
I will continue to be a Luddite in many aspects of my life as I continually try to embrace and understand each new advance thrust upon me. While I’m sure I’ll never catch up, I’ll depend on people younger than me to help me survive. As for Hal, don’t let him get too close to your computer.
Did You Ever Wonder? — Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?