“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
― Socrates
Honey, we have an app for that…this was my husband’s recent response to me when I asked (in frustration) why the Christmas tree would not turn on after I spent hours decorating it! YES, he did help set it up, the whole three sections that needed connecting and then positioning it so that it was straight. We all hate a crooked tree! I know the surrounding universe “heard” my eyes roll; the cats saw it too.
Really? An app on our phones for this, the most hallowed holiday tradition, the lighting of the tree! It should not have surprised me, after all we have the entire house connected to high tech. Try having guests over to your home when the first thing outside the stoop, my husband uses the electronic doorbell camera to greet them and ask them to come in as he unlocks the door from the comfort of his sofa seat! It gets even better if they stay past what I now call the “Pumpkin Hour,” 10 past 10 in the evening! This is when the bedroom lamps turn on, the hall lights and living room lamp shut down, and then, WAIT FOR IT, the front door locks itself. The looks on our guests’ faces is priceless; they do not know whether to flee or freeze in place! The only late-night un-automated part of the process is Flash–our big tom cat––who appears in the bedroom doorway once the lights are on to welcome us to bed!
So, I just have to ask, can technology be in our lives too much? Industrial kitchens can be “teched” out with our manufacturers offering all sorts of “bells & whistles” more than ever before! Buyer beware–can this push-button technology match the skill sets of those having to operate them? I often think, how nice a “food replicator” would be on those busy days when time is of the essence. It looks so easy on Star Trek shows! (Yes, the family are “Trekkies”!)
Do not fear embracing new technology, just vet it thoroughly for the use and expectations you have for it. During this COVID-19 cloud, we all are finding the true meaning of sanitation and disinfecting. Can technology do the cleansing needed to meet the high standards? Do we need to invest in upgrades to our equipment, booster heaters for our three-compartment sink, high temp industrial dishwashers? Electronic dispensers to accurately mix our sanitizer chemicals to meet the proper PPMs? Think about what changes could be made with the help of an app or technology. Hand washing sinks with built in sensors for water time/temp control, or what about the new Apple watch technology that vibrates to let you know that you have met the proper hand washing time. (Yes Mr. has that as well!)
I must admit, I do appreciate my automatic car starter here in the Midwest tundra & heat, having a warm/cool car with “bun and steering wheel warmers/chillers”! This blonde has adapted; I am able to enjoy my automated tree, see where my aging mother is at in the world using Find a Friend, see what is on the family grocery list, and even have an electronic shared Santa list this year. I like the convenience and safety of having smartphones as a part of our family! My husband has new apps now that I shared with him after he asked where the packages were for under the tree: Santa Tracker and Status Check. I remind myself to keep an open mind, and my husband close by!
Blessings to all!