The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers. Sydney J. Harris-American journalist and author (1917-1986)
Technologies are never good or bad, it’s what we do with them that matters. Marc Benioff-American internet entrepreneur and philanthropist (1964- )
In my last years of high school, 1972, I wanted to take more classes so I could go on to college. As it turned out I only needed one credit. That summer St. Joseph Catholic School allowed me to take two classes, offering Touch Typing Lessons and English Literature. Most of the typewriters were manual, there was one electric typewriter. My touch was so light the teacher allowed me to use the one electric typewriter. Today I like feeling fingers dancing across the computer. At times I get frustrated with the computer when it won’t do what I want it to or it doesn’t work at all. It seems between the need for computers and cellphones they can be wonderful or wretched. Without them life would be strange. Now it almost seems necessary. Does anyone still have a landline? There was one thing about a landline, you never lost it.
In 1994 I decided to take another class at “The W.” I handed in my first paper in my second round of college. Professor David Smith, looked shocked and asked, “Did you type this?” “Yes Sir,” I replied. “On a typewriter?” “Yes Sir.” He immediately enrolled me in a computer course; I got to skip “keyboarding” since I could type. I read a story about Lewis Grizzard and how he used an old-fashioned typewriter for all his stories. He talked about being in Minneapolis at the seventh game of the World Series between the Atlanta Braves and the Minneapolis Twins when his ribbon jams. He frantically looks all around at his buddies using “Star Wars” computers, he knows they’ll be no help. It’s after the sixth inning when he finally gets the ribbon going again. For a second, he thinks he’s going to have to write his column in longhand. I’m not sure how he submitted his articles because I’m telling you, if you deliver a typewritten column, you might as well have brought your editor some peanuts and Cracker Jacks for all the good that’s going to do you. I remember when I would drop off a print copy of the column I had written to my editor. Now we just send the email attached with the column to the Dispatch and no one has to even get out of the chair.
Obviously, the day will come when these fingers won’t slide over the keyboard anymore, and eyes won’t see and ears can’t hear. Maybe other means of technology will arrive or maybe it’s already here. Whatever the day brings, be glad, enjoy the life you have, look to the future, keep the memories. All in all, it’s a good life.
Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
