Now Hear This: New technology not always easy
Some thoughts about some things:
Forget the cheese!
Technology is driving me crazy. I have come to the realization I may not be smart enough to survive in a world being redefined by PhD’s who invent things that require your basic high school and college grad to operate. I mean a little technology here and there is fine, but it’s taking over our lives at every turn.
I estimate we American’s spend about 25 percent of our time trying to figure out things that were produced to save us time. And, just when you get the hang of that one thing, why heck, it’s outdated, and you’ve got to get a newer model just to keep up.
I understand it’s the American way, (we’re becoming just a little too American), but when one of this country’s most traditional and revered house hold staples, the mouse trap is declared outdated by technology, well I figure all the PhD “smarty-pants” have gone just a little too far. It’s true! The mouse trap has been replaced with the “Portable Ultrasonic Pest Repeller.” No cheese, no mess!
These new gadgets, and yes I purchased one, are designed to send the mice on their way with high frequency sound that only the rat, your dog, and your wife can hear. Actually the dog is not supposed to hear it, but from time to time P.J., our little furry animal, barks for no reason. Either he hears the high frequency sound, or he hears the mice scrambling to get out of the house. My wife also hears noises, that I never do. I tell her it must be the mouse trap!
More thoughts about things.
Had a flat tire lately? Good luck fixing it! First you have to figure out how to get to the spare tire. When you do you will swear it looks like it belongs on a Volkswagen Beetle. Then you will spend considerable time trying to understand how to use the thing they now put in cars that we used to call a jack.
Believe me we’re not talking a quick or precision pit stop here. And, one more thing about your car. Most of us have never looked under the hood, right? It’s frightening.
The engine has been replaced by a highly complex computer system that’s supposed to look like an engine. If you hear an unusual noise don’t call a mechanic. Call somebody who knows something about an Intel Pentium, a Hard Disc Drive, or Ram memory. I don’t think cars even have radiators anymore! Do they?
Finally, a really weird idea that has taken life ? well, sort of.
Jon Stewart of the “Daily Show” writing about technology says, an experimental new robot has been introduced to help the U.S. health care industry cope with the growing ranks of the elderly. The mobile robots, called the “Companion,” operate as a form of mobile video telephone, allowing health care professionals to see, hear, and speak to their patients from remote locations.
Should these test robots succeed, future designs may help the health care industry by wheeling patients to dinner, taking temperatures, or even drawing blood. Gives a whole new meaning to hands-on, huh!
Oh, well, if a mouse trap, no longer looks, or functions like a mouse trap, and an automobile runs by computer (why am I still buying gas) I suppose a “Companion Robot” is not out of the question. Have they thought about “Companion Robot’s” for children and dogs? Just think of the possibilities!
(Hope Hines is a television sports reporter and Nashville personality.)