Technophile

I hate cell phones. No really. They suck. The reception isbad, they lose service at the most inopportune times, and frankly I don't wantto be connected 24/7. I have never figured out why I need a camera on my phone(I've tried to use it, but I hate taking pictures. I used to hate it beforeevery phone had a camera. I had to force my self to remember my camera when wewere on our European adventure this summer). I have one mostly because you can'tnot have one these days, and honestly, how often do they get used in anemergency? (Parents always say their children need one in case of emergency—really?In a real emergency, they get in the way far more than they help.) I hate thenew mentality that everyone MUST be perfect at all times—no more errorsallowed, no misspeaking, no tripping and falling—because if you make a mistakeyour flaming takedown will be posted for all the world to see in a matter ofseconds. Really? I though being human was about learning from mistakes, but noone seems to be willing to give anyone a second chance any longer.
I don't have an iPad, though I crave one, because I just can'tjustify it. I work at home. Why would I need a portable tablet? We don't have500 TV channels or Tivo or DVR. Our TV is relatively small in comparison tomost that I've seen. I don't have GPS in my car (although it was handy in the Europeanrental car) and when I taught, I rarely used technology, although I will admitto looking up facts on the Internet—on those sites that weren't blocked.
You'd think that I'm a technophobe. I'm not. I honestlythink technology can save mankind. I'd rather fly in a plane with a computer atthe helm. I'd rather have a robot surgeon. I'd love the see the technology ofself-driving cars (keep the idiots from getting their hands on the wheel. BTW,Flying cars? No thank you. Can you imagine what dumbass drivers would be doingup in the sky? You really want that texter behind the wheel of a flying car? Idon't think so.), and smart houses. My husband has a PhD in Robotics. He's evenworse than I about gadgets. Because gadgets aren't what will save the world.Oh, they're fun, but is the world really a better place because we can takepictures with our phones? (Although in the case of the Arab spring, thattechnology was crucial, but that was a mighty powerful exception.) I haveembraced Twitter, and FB, and blogging, but they aren't as important as solar energyor wind power or wave energy.
I guess what I'm saying is I don't have any problem withgadgets, but don't expect me to jump into the 21st century any timesoon. I don't want to be attached to my phone. Or have my picture taken.--Gabi
Books I'm reading now:Still working on the Rita books I have to judge.