You know that kind of thought that stays with you unless you dumb it out; that’s what has been the case with the tech question for me. As some of you might know, my wheelchair broke in March, and it couldn’t able to be fixed. The issue is that just the base costs over 13,000 euros, and it’s not a sum I could just snap my fingers and get. The reason I’m saying all this is my question: How can you live tech-less in a world that is tech-full?
So, I’m far from being against tech, since, thanks to it, I can still earn a living from my bedroom. I use WhatsApp to talk to my family, even the ones who live in the same household (yelling a question or a need works 50% of the time). On top of this, a key part of getting my chair was an app to transfer the required funds, which also explains why I asked the question in the first place. Yes, I have the app, but due to Dyscalculia, I needed help. So yes, while I wanted to, I couldn’t do it independently, but the bank can do it for me with that service, which comes with high fees.
My next point is how most governmental services have moved online, which is good for the environment, but I see that with clients, especially older generations, aren’t interested in doing it online, in which case you need to offer other options which take them where they need to be. Which isn’t an easy skill to learn in a fast-paced life. On the other hand, I found some articles discussing skills we might be losing by not using them.
Like learning to read a map (which will lead you to interact with people when you ask for help) and doing mental maths. You know, when I’m heavily hit by this, it’s when the power is out, and I’m literally stuck in one place since all my aids use electricity. Even if the internet is a need, not a want, not everyone can afford it.
If you want to add your two cents here, please do, just be aware that it’s taking me a while to get to the comments.