In the last few years there have been many new innovations in technology. Computers have gone from being huge room-filling mainframe monstrosities to small laptops and even hand-held devices. We have gone from using paper maps to GPS systems that actually talk to us. As a child I enjoyed a cartoon show called the Jetson’s that featured futuristic appliances and inventions. It looks like we’ve entered that era in the 21st century – except for the flying cars of course. Although technology is designed to enhance our lives, I’m not sure it always does. I’ve begun to ask the question, “Technology, is it a friend or a foe?”
One of the recent modern inventions was quite mind-boggling to me when I first encountered it – the automatic-flush toilet. I knew that something was different when I could not find a handle. Then, while I was in the middle of that search, “WOOSH!” It flushed by itself. Immediately I set out to discover what triggered this contraption. Was it on a timer? Not necessarily because some flushed almost as soon as I entered the stall, while others waited and waited until I’d almost given up and then WOOSH!
Was it sensitive to light? I tried moving closer, then farther, closer then farther; nothing. Then finally, WOOSH!
Was it triggered by motion? Again I tried moving closer then farther; nothing. I figured it required a certain kind of movement; maybe a dance step. So I decided to bust a move. I tried doing the twist – nothing. Then I tried the hokey pokey; I put my right foot in, I put my right foot out – still nothing. I was contemplating doing the electric slide, but the stall was too narrow to execute a proper grapevine step. So as I began doing the Macarena, WOOSH! Call me crazy, but that is just too much work. As I emerged from the stall I decided that I don’t need modern technology for some things. The old ways are just fine for me, thank you very much…..
So is technology a friend or foe? On some things the jury is still out.
#1 by Lynda Horn on March 15, 2010 - 3:24 pm
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Wow sis I hear ya! The toilet thing- is there no justice anywhere? Maybe someones watching where the handle should be-wheww that’s just wrong! Would love to get together with ya soon for coffee or tea or lunch or all three. Hope all is well. Love you and fam much. Lots to talk about.
Your big sis,
Lynda
#2 by Pastor C on March 15, 2010 - 10:59 pm
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Great, absolutely amazing. Technology is sometimes our foe. We are connected too much, and accessible when we need alone time. Remember, the Master of the Sea, took some alone time — imagine that.