Computer Age
I wonder when my son and I will have this conversation. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when.
I’ve always assumed that my offspring would be inflicted with the technology disease as I carry. You might be able to draw parallels between his interests and mine. You might see him tapping away on a keyboard next to daddy. He might spend time, sword in hand, helping dad to rid the world of digital evil.
Then again, you might not. He might rebel against my computerized lifestyle. He might forego a mouse for a good pair of hiking boots. He might choose a hammer and nail over a joystick. He might look at X-rays instead of an Xbox.
You just don’t know.
In truth, I hope he finds a good middle ground. There’s plenty to discover, on both sides of that glowing screen. I’d hate to see him think of the wonders of the real world as secondary just because of the easy access of fantasy worlds at home. What I do know is that technology will influence his life.
The toys and tools available to him dwarf what was available to me in my childhood years. Cable was a burgeoning concept. Round disks that played music were called records. A computer in the house was something for the rich kids. The internet – heaven forbid – wasn’t even on the radar. All these electrical doodads will do more than just divert his attention. It will change the way the way he looks and experiences the world. His rose colored glasses may be painted with the screens of a PDA.
When he does reach computer age – which should be in about a year or so at this rate – I’ll be there watching, observing. We both have a lot to learn. I’d guess that a laptop in his sandbox may be more realistic than you think.
Tina
July 1st, 2003 at 9:58 pm #
Cora loves to pound on the keyboard. I’ve had to give her her “own” keyboard to beat on, rather than have my e-mails and documents munged with toddler-typed lingo.