Dancing Fingers
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
You know, kids will never cease to amaze me! I have raised three children to adulthood, and I am still surprised on how well they adapt to new things. When I was a kid, to communicate we just walked or rode a bike over to our friend's house, or called them on the phone at home, or from a phone booth, or write them a letter or note in class. We didn't have these great gadgets like cell phones, that you can communicate with with verbal conversation from practically anywhere, AND in writing (or texting is what the call it)!! What a neat thing to have. You can text at work...you can text at a movie, while shopping, and I even seen a guy today texting while he was driving!! Wow, I am so amazed. It is really funny in a way to watch these young folks do this.
I can't believe how fast young folks can type on these little tiny keys, and they go a mile a minute!! Their fingers are just dancing over that "Itty bitty" keyboard, and they are typing in a whole new language to boot. What language is that anyway? I find it fascinating that they "hunt and peck" on a big keyboard, but they can send a message with their thumbs in a nano second!! What's up with that? It appears as though their fingers are dancing, some to the tune of Mozark, and others to the tune of "Flight of the Bumble Be" depending on how much time they have left on their lunch or break. Okaythat's not all, they do all of this texting while listening to an IPOD and chewing gum that you buy in a box! Unbelievable! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it!!!
I took my wife out tonight to see the play "Grease", with Taylor Hicks. There was an announcement before the show started, "Please me sure all electronic devices are turned off during this show, also we ask that you do not take any pictures, or videos during the show". Immediately, I saw that all cell phones are put on vibrate, almost as if in unison, so that the messaging can continue. I was out buying tires for the front of my truck, and lo and behold, I see a guy sitting on a bench in front of discount tires, and he was going at it with the texting while he was waiting? I guess what I am not understanding is, why does every one of our youths have to constantly "be in touch"? I asked one young man, "Why do you have to constantly be in touch with someone through texting"? His response was simple, "Because it's fun" he said"My "ole lady" (probable a girlfriend) has to know what I am doing, and where I am at all times otherwise she gets pissed" was his reply. Hummm, trust issues perhaps? I guess times have changed since I was young, I'm not sure I would want someone knowing what I am doing and where I am at all timesI find that in itself kind of strange. Don't you? Maybe I'm just getting to old.sigh.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)Great observations, Gary, and yes, we are getting old. lolI once saw four teenagers standing in a group and they were all talking on their cell phones; to whom? I wondered why they would not just get off the phones and talk to each other instead. Like you, I don't know how they can type on those little keyboards, or what 'language' they are using. I think someone should reintroduce "Pitman Shorthand" and make keyboards like that. Now wouldn't that be a great way to meld an old technology with a new technology! As far as health issues go, you know what working in a call centre can do to your hands, arms and shoulders. I worked in an airline call centre for 16 years and am still suffering the effects. I'm afraid those kids are going to suffer greatly if they don't leave those keyboards alone once in a while.
A few days ago I had a tire fixed. Guess what I did while waiting? No texting, but I did some writing on my BlackBerry! Ever so often I'll play Galaga or Pac Man. It is a brave new world, my friend. And I am glad.Another great article here, sir!!I reckon I'm just gettin' old....I can't believe all of this brand new technology, nothing like it to make you feel like your a hundred years old...geesh....I have a cell phone, (shhhhh, don't tell anybody), but have of the stuff on there I don't know how to use! Oh well....reckon I'll just stick to my old ways...can't teach an old dog new tricks I reckon....lol.....Thanks for reading the article, and your wonderful comments, I guess I have got a lot to learn, lol.....your pal, and friend in pen.....Gary
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