The Generation Gap in Technology

How is it that an eight year old can set up a Wii while a forty year old watches in amazement and confusion? Why can a twelve year old figure out a cell phone faster than a fifty year old? If you've ever asked yourself these questions then you have struggled with the comprehension of the generation gap.

I remember growing up I had a Fisher Price tape recorder (remember those?) that had five large buttons with symbols on them. It didn't say what they were or anything. A green triangle pointing right, a red square, a blue outlined arrow going left, a matching outlined arrow going right, and a red circle. This was my introduction into technology. From these complex symbols I learned play, stop, rewind, fast forward, and record. This is essentially what has gotten me through it all. Sure I've learned things on computers, learned how to use speed dial and voice commands on my cell phone, and even programming a tevo; but what it all really came down to for me was those five little symbols.

I know people like my parents and grandparents didn't have Fisher Price tape recorders to carry them through the technology age. For them, this is a completely different world then what they remember. And I'm not saying I know everything here. My twelve year old cousin makes me look like a fool when it comes to anything video games.

I'm not really sure what divides us in the end. My generation was around for the beginning of the technology age. Years from now I'll tell my grandchildren all about when I was around for the Apple Iphone, in which case they will probably laugh at me for how dated I am.