Keeping up with ‘ smart’ world
As tech gadgets continue to replace every aspect of our lives, being savvy around them is no longer just a choice or a mere ‘ belonging’ syndrome. BG CORRESPONDENT, Palesa Makoti reflects on the stigma casts on the not so smart individuals, who can’t just
Feeling like a failure is a devastating thing to experience. We are all good at certain things and not so great at others. For me, technology is my Achilles’ heel. Regardless of my best efforts, it always seems to have the upper hand, rendering me to feel completely useless.
Experiencing the difference between an emerging country and a developed one forced me to face this huge barrier I have previously avoided by all means necessary. I am the individual who opted out of online banking or even signing up for social media apps like Instagram. In a world frenzied with the latest trends and fastest applications, I have always felt like an anomaly. While it is ‘ cool’ to be different, it can get rather lonely when it seems like the world is moving in a completely different direction from your own. To some, this might appear as though I am stuck, while others might even call me old fashioned or lacking innovation. Which brings us to the simple question, Why not adapt? It might be my stubborn nature, but I ask, Why should I? I think there is still some dignity in non- conformity but that is just my point of view.
The real issue for me is not the lack of understanding or ability to assimilate, but rather the discrimination and stigma associated with not being tech savvy. Now let us be honest, we are all guilty of this kind of behaviour, whether it is helping your parent or grandparent acclimatize to using a smart phone or moving from deposit slips inside the bank, to using self- depositing ATM machines. How about frequent travellers who can check themselves into flights and print their own boarding passes? The looks of envy that come with witnessing such Masters of illusive crafts is just astonishing! I can almost guarantee there was a time when you felt annoyed at those who had not quite grasped how to use the ATM, ultimately holding up the queue. How can someone with a bank account fail to use such a simple tool? Well, it happens and it is never a great feeling when you are bombarded with looks that could kill and snide remarks beneath people’s breaths. The irony is that we have all been there. No one is born with complete instructions on how to use an ATM, a smart phone or any other ‘ smart’ device. The word itself suggests if you are not able to use them, YOU are actually not smart! Or perhaps that is just my cynical understanding of the term.
Paperless operations are the new normal and the number of e- wallets are too many to count. Nice and easy does not quite cut it, but rather always on the go. There are constantly new studies or findings, some even contradicting each other. Overconsumption is not even remotely considered to be problematic. Information overload? What on earth could that be? When you come from a little nook of the world it can be the difference between maintaining your sanity and completely losing it.
This has nothing to do with millennials, genx, y or z, but rather with humanity. What is it about us that carries an innate spirit of cruelty, and the need to ostracize those we deem ‘ less intelligent’ or ‘ weaker’ than ourselves? Why must we think less of them for not mastering the latest tech or inventing the next big thing, whatever that may be. There is a certain superiority that comes with being in the know. It creates an ‘ us’ and ‘ them’ mentality which leads to social stratification amongst common people. Not being a part of the click populous does not mean you have nothing to offer. The measure of one’s character should not be simply based on their understanding of the dot com culture. There is still a lot we can learn from each other. Your mind is your greatest asset, and you need not function like a programmed machine. Find what you are good at and whenever you feel like a failure, immerse yourself in your talents. Remember all the things that set you apart!