- First, Yes, this IS NSA territory... ALL of the USA is NSA territory. That's why it's called the National Security Agency. The National Security Agency (NSA) is a U.S. intelligence agency responsible for global monitoring, collection, decoding, translation and analysis of information and data for foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes - a discipline known as Signals intelligence (SIGINT). NSA is also charged with protection of U.S. government communications and information systems against penetration and network warfare. (from Wikipedia) That being put aside, it really shouldn't matter what one did before they retired and moved here. Just because someone was truck driver doesn't mean they can drive safely. Not every Army soldier goes around shooting Howitzers. Not every teacher can teach. (this is not meant as a personal affront, just an example, I do have respect for the writer of the NSA comment, I just do not agree with it). now on to ... the rest of the story...
How can people ever get with it and up to date on technology if someone doesn't tell them how or show them first? The following comments were made when Lanny asked about getting channel 63 on his computer... "This is how you access it, isn't it? I downloaded the thing--now what do I do to GET the 63 programming to show? Perhaps I'd better bring my laptop PC to someone to be shown? Until now I've only ever watched 63 on the TV." Of course there are many in the Village that do not know how to access anything on a computer simply because they have never learned.- Much of the uncertainty and yes, even ignorance of technology leads to fear and paranoia that someone will be watching what you say or do. This works well in backwards or underdeveloped countries, but shouldn't here in the USA. I especially like Carol's comment "having the cameras at the gates is good..." but ..."having the cameras broadcast out over the internet is sickening. Now people can watch the cameras to see when you go out and when you return..." Having the cameras on the gate ARE a good thing. You can see when your guests arrives, and should some illegal activity occur, the Police have visual documentation of a suspected criminal entering or leaving the village.
- Security of the village is the responsibility of every resident. You can't just hire a security firm and forget it... They will hire whoever they can get to work as cheaply as possible (No offense intended to residents that work for the Security firms). It is convenient for many to work where they live, and they have a vested interest in the security of our village.
- People complain about the lack of security in the village, but when something happens and they are questioned by the police, many of them are the same ones that may say "I don't want to get involved..." WAKE UP!!! Face the fact that if you really want to be secure, you have to get involved. I recently saw a small documentary that showed how people played loud music and their homeowners association member were quick to knock on their doors and call police for "noise violations". A few days later, same unit played LOUD audio of domestic violence. Loud shouting, sounds of a man beating a woman, her screams. They played it for a pretty long time then went outside... not a single person on the street, not a single call to the police. THEY DIDN'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED. Says a lot... Don't let that happen here...don't just fly away.
- (stealing from Paul Harvey...) and that's the rest of the story....good day!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Get with it... Get involved.
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I agree with your opening question, Bob: "How can people ever get with it and up to date on technology if someone doesn't tell them how or show them first?" Of course a person can and should take some initiative himself, but keeping up with present-day technology is especially difficult for a few reasons:
ReplyDelete1. The instructions that come with new gadgets are often very poor. Sometimes they are technically incorrect, often assumptions are made about the user’s level of expertise that should not be made, steps are often skipped, instructions suffer in the translation to English.
2. Instructions are often made up by technicians who are not good TEACHERS.
3. Many of the new gadgets do too many different things. This often results in instructions that of necessity are more complicated than if the gadget were a simpler one. The more things a gadget can do, the more components there are that can break down.
4. Technological advances are made so fast these days that good instructions can't keep up with them. A good part of what drives this is the competition for sales and an insatiable desire to "have the best" on the part of consumers.
5. By and large, the big manufacturers don't CARE whether their products are good, solid, simple products that people can use as long as SALES are good.
Several months ago Dave Israel expressed a keen interest in somehow tutoring our elderly in the Village in the use of computers and related gadgets. I think he had in mind having some of our younger folk teaching older folk--something beyond the computer club, or at least in addition to it. It is incorrect to portray him as only interested in "the next new thing."
Totally agree Lanny. as the adage goes, you can't teach an old dog new tricks....but wait...maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks...if the old dog is willing to learn, or feels there is a treat at the end of the lesson. The treat at the end of this lesson could be how to skype (which is still FREE) and see your children and grandchildren, or how to do your on-line banking so you won't have to drive to the bank all the time, How to use social media to connect to long lost friends. Maybe the old dog want to see one of her pups from her first litter... Old dogs CAN learn new tricks. It's just a matter of will. Is the old dog willing to learn, needing to learn, or desiring to learn. Knowledge is strength.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Exactly, Bob!
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