I love tech gadgets, like my new phone, but I know that technology is allowing me to become dumber and dumber.
From an early age, I decided learning complex math was ridiculous. Calculators are everywhere and cheap to buy. So I didn’t need to worry about crap like this. Complex math could be done with simple tools on the computer, so once that was all available on the web (as the web became more available) I gave up on that garbage too. I’m pretty bad at math now. I don’t really care about this. I always say that if I’m in a situation that requires complex math and there is not a computer anywhere to be found, there are bigger problems to solve.
Later, I got my first cell phone and subsequently started forgetting phone numbers. I didn’t have to remember them anymore because my phone kept all that for me. This worked out well, until my phone died and I didn’t even know the Mrs phone number. Shit.
Browsers started offering to remember passwords for me, and I started forgetting passwords. There are still accounts I can’t pay because I’m locked out and if I’m going to call them, I’d just as well pay on the phone and move on. The same goes with email addresses. I’m hard pressed to think up some emails, because I just start to type a name “Phil” and Google offers back “dial1forgeniusmofo@yahho.com” and I’m set.
Last year, I got a GPS device for my birthday which prevented me from having to learn my way around the new area we’d moved into just a month prior. I didn’t have to remember any directions, just punch it in (off a note or a text message) and just try to pay attention long enough to get where I’m going. This resulted in missed turns when I didn’t pay attention… That’s just sad. I also keep addresses in that, so I still can’t say what specific town some people live in.
This year I received a smart phone for my birthday. Now all of my modern conveniences are in one place. This one device keeps me from having to know your phone number, or even the proper spelling of your name. I don’t have to spell my messages correctly, or know where you live to get to your house. On top of all that, it keeps me logged into most sites so I never have to re-login and it saves the info, just in case.
I’m also terrible at remembering names. If we meet somewhere and I forget your name, please don’t take it personal. I really do like you and shit. I just can’t keep names straight, ever. Now what I need is face recognition on my phone and an excuse to hold up my phone to someone before saying hi.
Does anyone else suffer from this, or am I the only one letting tech take my brains?
Ugh, I couldn’t agree with this more. It’s the reason I refuse to look at a computer on the weekends and why I try to keep putting numbers in my phone rather than transfer them. It’s not working. I’m now dumber. Just thankful I’m not alone. Very funny post!
April ´s last blog ..A Week in Review…random and useless is in the eye of the beholder
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February 2nd, 2010
So, um, okay…I do and I don’t.
Remembering phone numbers is a thing of the past, unless it’s one I already knew. But everything else I pretty much still remember. And I have a really good memory.
I’m Shine, by the way. S-H-I-N-E. Just in case you forgot by the time you got to the end of this comment.
shine´s last blog ..Let’s talk about sex?
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February 2nd, 2010
Nope, just you. Just kidding. You forgot to put in that spell check has made you forget how to spell all the “hard” words. Now that might just be me.
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February 2nd, 2010
I can blame it on technology?!?! All this time I assumed it was a result of the alcohol induced blackouts. Go figure.
Elly Lou´s last blog ..Sock Puppets (and Other Lonon Excerpts)
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February 2nd, 2010
remembering phone numbers is so 2004. and math sucks.
gingermandy´s last blog ..Memoir Monday (on a Tuesday)
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February 2nd, 2010
I have a classic case of Don’t Give a Shit which is why I can’t remember anything of marginal importance.
Sometimes I can’t even remember things that are important … like the time a doctor in the ER asked me what year my son was born and I drew a blank and replied, “Early 2000ish”
Miss Spoken´s last blog ..Car Thieves, Cattle Prods and Shotguns: Welcome to Nevada
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February 3rd, 2010
Math is HIGHLY overrated.
Don’t need it since my husband is a math nerd. And I haven’t got any friends, so phone numbers are not needed.
I can never remember the names of people either. I just say “Hey, Hotstuff” Works on males and females. People love a compliment…
Brilliant Sulk´s last blog ..Weirdo Wednesday
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February 3rd, 2010
I’d like to blame technology but I just can’t. And if real people talk to me in more than 140 characters I lose interest.
A Vapid Blonde´s last blog ..WTF Wednesday???
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February 3rd, 2010
@April – Thanks and you are definitely not alone!
@shine – you’re doing better than I am. Did I screw up your name somewhere?
@Troy – yeah, my phone has that too, sadly it doesn’t help sometimes…
@Elly Lou – its mostly the blackouts… this post was just make you feel better.
@GingerMandy – I’ve decided math is not right or wrong, but an opinion based on religious orientation.
@Miss Spoken – I think I have that too. I forgot my kid’s name once.
@Brilliant Sulk – We’re friends, jerk.
@A Vapid Blonde – I know exactly what you mean.
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February 4th, 2010
Nope, that was me making fun of your memory. I’m a meanie pants.
shine´s last blog ..Basketball Players and All-Star Games and Prostitutes, Oh MY!
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February 4th, 2010
@shine – That’s a jerky thing to do. Who are you, anyway?
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February 4th, 2010
Wait. What’s my name again? No really, what is it?
Aunt Becky´s last blog ..Go Ask Aunt Becky
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February 7th, 2010