A Blessing & a Curse: Technology
In the mid 90’s, I was thrown into a frenzy as I attempted to reserve a flight on the internet for the first time. I was traveling to Seattle, visiting a friend whose husband was an Executive at Microsoft. I told him I had to ask a younger colleague for help, and he wanted to know why.
“If you talk to a person a plane will be there, not by clicking on a button”. I couldn’t get my arms wrapped around the concept that a “click” from my computer mouse would be communicated to the airline that I bought a seat on their aircraft. It was too surreal. A live person would know how to connect with another live person to let them know.
Big surprise when they dropped me off at the airport after my visit. He was part of a team at Microsoft that created the ability for a computer to print my boarding pass. My friend and I were shocked! How did the computer know who I was?
Now, many years later, I don’t think twice about clicking a button and know that anything I order will arrive at my doorstep. Technology — still puts me in awe. What a game changer it is to be able to call a friend you planned to see for dinner, and let them know — you’re stuck in traffic.
I embrace technology — up-to-a-point.
As a performer for 30+ years my people connection was with a live audience. I could see them, hear their laughter and sense their tense silences. They guided the rhythm to my performance.
Now I write essays on the internet clicking on the “publish” button sending what I created into virtual reality. My audiences respond with numbers, as in — how many have read my post. But who are these people?
When I use to watch a performance as an audience member, I fantasized having blank journals scattered throughout, so, anyone would have an opportunity to share their thoughts. We’re sitting next to each other watching the same show - aren’t you curious to know what everyone else is thinking? Sometimes you can get the gist of it; a restless audience is bored, laughter means the joke worked.
Those bonding experiences with strangers have become far and few in-between.
Yet, I am proud on how quickly I adapted to utilizing Apps to help my life be more efficient. Especially the “10% Happier” mediation App. The teachers have taught me to be present — and not get sucked into the various iPhone distractions.
A few years ago (before COVID), an email from “Medium.com” announced a workshop for writers in the San Francisco area. I was grateful to have an opportunity to meet in-person, and ask other writers if they had similar concerns about connecting with people in this format.
I was welcomed to the Medium office — a large open space filled with real people working diligently at their desks winding down at the end of the day. It was comforting to put a face to the name, “Medium.com”.
We broke up in groups to discuss the trials and tribulations of writing on the internet. The younger one’s were excited to share all the website options to submit their work. Us older ones tried to embrace their enthusiasm and not get overwhelmed.
The internet, a blessing and a curse.
It’s a blessing to connect to wider audiences that could never fill a traditional theater.
But sometimes, Zoom, just doesn’t cut it.
As the younger generation only knows life with computers, there are those of us who have experienced life without it . Every generation has its pros and cons.
Change can bring many conflicted emotions. I’m doing my best to keep it in perspective, but someday’s it can really twist at my heartstrings.
