Technology has really changed the world. For the most part, I think it's changed things for the better, however, there are a few technological advances that have made us dumber (or is it more dumb?).
1. Car Back up cameras
I got a van (STOP JUDGING ME! It's sweet! It's like driving a living room!!) and it has a back up camera. It's amazing. You hardly even have to turn your head to back up, you just stare at the screen to make sure you don't run over anyone. However, be advised, they do not always detect childrens bikes that might be laying on the ground behind your van. Proceed with caution and RIP Huffy.
2. Parking assist power buttons in cars
My van also has "parking assist". In a nut shell, it starts beeping and flashing lights if you're going to back into something/someone. Again, this one is amazing. It's like the car basically drives itself. However, BEWARE, the parking assist has a POWER button.
I had just finished picking up dry cleaning and was backing out of my spot. I looked in my mirror and felt like the car behind me was a little close (especially since the mirror says objects are even closer than they appear). I know I'm equipped with an idiot proof van so I keep going. I hear (and feel) a thud as I hit the car behind me. Despite this proof that I've hit something, I think, 'it can't be my car, I have parking assist'. I literally backed into the car a SECOND time. When the audible sound of car to car contact is repeated, I start questioning the reliability of this life changing technology. I look down curiously at the little button that is usually yellow and it appears to be "off". I push the button, it turns yellow, and then starts sounding the "we have made contact! it's a direct hit" alarm. My response was obvious: "this thing has a power button? Why would anyone ever want to shut it off?!!". So, I literally backed into another car twice because I didn't hear the normal beeping sound from my car telling me to stop. Don't judge…I know I'm not alone in this one.
3. Pay at pump gas pumps
Kids these days don't even realize that people work at gas stations because most of them have never been inside of one. They swipe their credit card, fill up the tank, and they're off before they can send a "GGTTYL" (getting gas, talk to you later) txt.
A teenager needed money for gas. His dad said "Here's $20". The son said "But that's not enough". Dad replied "Well, it's all I have". The son is still confused and says "But it takes more than $20 to fill it up". The dad pauses, and says "Just stop it when you get to $20". His eyes widen and he says "Wait, you can do that?!" *mind blown* Parenting checklist: Teach your child to "let go"of the gas pump.
4. GPS
"I drove into a lake because the GPS told me to" was one of my favorite Steve Carell lines on #theoffice. This highlights a real epidemic in this country. When you ask a computer to do something for you, we completely abandon our own ability to think.
We planned a trip and projected it would take 8 hours. I punched it into GPS and immediately got irritated when it said 13 hours. I say "John, it's 13 hours, we aren't going to SURVIVE!" He explains "its only 8 hours. The GPS isn't right." I look at him like he's crazy but investigate anyway. I flip through the settings and realize the "avoid tolls" setting is on. My GPS was literally going to send me to CANADA to avoid tolls. #insanity
5. Cell Phones
If you have a phone you literally don't need a brain. It will do EVERYTHING for you! It can take pictures, give directions, send text messages you ask it to type and research things on the web. It coincidentally, doesn't have any resemblance to the "original" phone. We rented a cabin this summer and it had an old school rotary phone. My 5 year old looked at it with horror and said "WHAT. IS. THAT?" I said "It's a phone". She responds immediately "Where's the camera?" Lord. Help. Me. How did I let my kid live five years without ever laying her eyes on a land line??!!
I'm going to challenge myself to go old school with my kids on occasion. Whether it's reading a map instead of asking Siri where we're going, reading a book instead of watching you Tube videos, or calling someone on our land line phone instead of face time. We all know the easiest way to do things is almost NEVER the best way so I'm going to make my kids life a little harder…to make it a little better.
xoxo Meg (Tipsy Mommy)
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