Choosing to do things the old-fashioned way

In My Humble Opinion
1

Do you ever choose not to use technology when you can? Are there times when you prefer to do things the old-fashioned way?

I got thinking about this the other day. I had spent the day on my computer in my home office, slogging through a document that wasn’t particularly interesting. But with a deadline looming, I had no choice but to tough it out.

Late in the day, the doorbell rang. It was a woman trying to sell me on the idea of changing certain of our utilities over to another provider. “Here’s what you’re currently paying; here’s what you could be paying if you contract with us,” that sort of thing. It sounded like a good deal, but I won’t make that kind of decision myself; I’ll have to consult with my wife. Sine my wife was unavailable, we’d need some information for her.

So I asked, “Do you have a brochure you could leave that tells us all about your offer?”

No, she didn’t. “But if you have a computer, sir, the web address is–”

“No,” I replied. “I’ve spent all day today working on the computer, which is how I spend most workdays. I don’t want to look at anything on a computer screen if I don’t have to.”

She didn’t quite hear me, I guess. “Well, then, if you have an e-mail address, I’d be happy to send you some information.”

"No, I replied. “Well, I have one, of course, but I use it for work. Like I said, I don’t want to have to look at my computer any more than I have to.”

Maybe it was just the day I had, but I really did not want to use my computer for this (or indeed, for any) purpose. All I wanted at that point was to finish my client’s stuff and kick back in my favourite easy chair, preferably with a book or magazine, and a drink. I did not want to look at anything electronic, much less this information, which I would have gladly reviewed had it been available in a brochure.

But she seemed truly puzzled as to why I didn’t want to look at the details of this offer online, and wanted a brochure instead. The best she could do was to leave me a business card, but she took great pains to point out the URL of her company on it before she left.

Was my reluctance (okay, refusal) to use my free time and my computer to look at her online sales pitch out of line? Was my request for a hard copy brochure unusual? And do you think it is still okay, in this day and age, to choose not to use technology, if one doesn’t want to?

2

No! Technology use must be compulsory!!!

I prefer using a film camera to a digital camera and I couldn’t really tell you why; my digital is cheaper and far more convenient and easier to use. I just like using film.

I also prefer to cook the old-fashioned way when possible - from scratch and by hand, as opposed to ready-to-eat; I also avoid using the microwave, not solely because it’s a crappy thirty-year-old unevenly-heating piece of crap…

I would much rather read a book on paper than something on the internet, but the internet updates more.

3

I like to mix batter by hand rather than use an electric mixer.

My ex husband bought me an electric can opener I’ve never used.

I like to write personal letters (and checks, and grocery lists, etc.) in longhand on paper.

4

In an almost stereotypical example, my wife’s grandmother always preferred to use an abacus than a cash register.

5

I have a Black & Decker cordless can opener that’s quite handy, but the battery seems to run down fairly quickly. When I need to recharge it, I use an ancient hand-operated one that I’ve had forever (it was my mother’s, and was someone else’s before that), and I almost prefer it. There’s just something about clamping it on a can with that satisfying “thunk.”

6

I don’t consider something “real food” unless I prepare it from scratch. Cake, soup, pie, waffles; if it doesn’t start with me getting out a big pot or bowl and the measuring cups, it’s not true nourishment. I make pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin! My tofu starts as dry soybeans! Some friends tend to consider me a little compulsive about it, but I never hear them complain around a mouthful of my triple-layer chocolate ganache cake.

7

Although I’m a big fan of gadgets, I do like handraulics; I absolutely refuse to buy a bread maker (even though I think they’re great) because I like making bread by hand. I also walk a lot for short journeys many other people choose to drive.

8

I prefer printed brochures to Web sites. I like to sit in my comfy couch (not at my desk), put my feet up and read through something in my hands. Reading off a screen is just different. I’m not sure why, but I have to read from paper. I also cannot proofread anything on a computer screen. I have to print it out and read the paper version.

9

Hopefully, you are not one of those guys who write checks and balance your book at the same time?

10

So many people I meet or work with prefer to read from paper rather than a monitor, myself included. Why is that? For me it just seems to feel easier to manipulate. No scrolling, no buttons to push. Just turn the page. Also, If I or any of my bosses have to proofread a document, we print it out and mark it up with pens rather than just make the quick correction on the computer.

I also like to walk to the convienance store rather than drive. I know it would be quicker to drive. It’s two blocks. But there’s a part of me that says, “Hey! it’s only two blocks! What, you gotta be there NOW? Take your time and walk it.” I especially do it if I haven’t worked out that night and use it as a rationale.

11

I walk and take buses.

I clean everything with baking soda, soap, vinegar, washing soda and borax, instead of buying different products.

12

I hate and fear technology. I avoid it as much as possible. Damn this board for fascinating me with its electronic wiles!

13

I prefer paper calendars and appointment books, address books, etc. to electronic ones. I see the advantage sometimes of getting a Palm Pilot or something similar, but sometimes I just want to jot down a little note for myself on a date or something and not go through 5 menus to do it. Plus I enjoy the satisfaction of crossing off a completed item with a pen. For some reason it is not as fun to delete it off a computer list or have it be crossed off for you.

I also don’t use most kitchen appliances and gadgets if I absolutely don’t have to. Mostly because I hate washing them. I’ll take the time to do it by hand rather than have a bunch of appliances to clean. Plus I enjoy chopping things with a good knife.

14

This reminds me of OPus:

“Can I borrow your copy of Winnie the Pooh?”

The next slide shows poor Opus curled up in a chair with a CD in his hand.

I prefer books whenever possible to online reading, although I’ll do that if I’m desperate for the printed word.

15

I thought I was the only one that preferred a manual can opener. I’ve never used an electric can opener and I have no intention to ever buy one. It just seems more efficient to do it by hand.

16

Paper diaries/journals to online blogs. I’m sure that makes me so 20th century.

And skates with wheels! I couldn’t use rollerblades effectively if my life depended on it. (Anyone else still have these? I actually got a pair of sneaker type ones for a gift a while back. Yes, I am in 70s heaven. What of it? :D)

17

On those rare occasions when I write things out longhand (not just checks or quick notes, but letters or stories), I like to use a quill pen. No, really!

I also cook from scratch by preference.

18

I abhor most kitchen gadgets, but I like my electric can opener. It is actually more efficient to me, as I can start it opening the can and go do something else for a moment.

My palm pilot died on me, and I don’t seem to be missing it much. But don’t take my cell phone! I love the convenience. And I don’t like to get on the computer at home much. I work on a 'puter all day, it’s the last thing I want to do when I get home. We pay bills online, and it is much easier than by hand.

I prefer to read most things “by hand” than online ('cept the SDMB!) Much easier on the eyes, I think.

19

If there’s only a few inches of snow, I’m going to use a shovel. I hate using the snowblower. It’s heavy, and wrestling it around every turn takes almost as much time and leaves me more tired than using a shovel. It’s also loud and stinky. There’s something eminently more peaceful and satisfying about the rhythmic schunnnk of a shovel in the muffled silence of new snow. My dad has never understood this.

20

I do all my quilting by hand, except for the long seam down the backing fabric if I need one. I cut out templates and trace each piece and then cut them out by hand; no rotary cutters for me. I piece (which is why I need the hand-drawn sewing line) and quilt by hand.

It’s mostly because I am not particularly coordinated with the sewing machine, and this way I can carry my work anywhere and sit in front of TV (oops, technology) rather than being in front of the sewing machine.