I read an article in the Journal Gazette this week entitled, Unlike McCain, many seniors go online. Basically, it referred to John McCain admitting that he relies on his wife to help him. The article goes on to say, "Only 35 percent of Americans older than 65 are online" and "about three-quarters of white, college-educated men age over 65 use the Internet”. So, the author eludes that John McCain should be online. The author also stated, "McCain’s frank admissions of his offline state have led to discussion of whether being wired is a qualification for leading the free world".
This article made me think about technology today. Should people over 65 be online? Should John McCain be online? How is that a qualification. I didn't mention that the article does state McCain does know how to browse the Internet and check Web sites.
Here's my opinion, I don't think my 84 year-old grandmother has any interest in the Internet and shouldn't be made to learn it. When she visits my house, I will show her things on the Internet (one time I looked up a shirt she wanted at Kohls online), and she thought it was great, but she doesn't want to learn. Why make her?
As for John McCain, I think he is probably just like you or I (at least before this class), he can use the Internet and e-mail, search the Web, etc., but not create podcasts and YouTube videos. I have no problem if he needs assistance from his aides to do this. Isn't that what they are for anyway? Laura
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2 comments:
Laura, that is really interesting you bring that topic up. My wife and I were just talking about that last night. To me, I really don't care if our President is or is not a technology wizard. I would prefer our President to not make bonehead decisions and screw up the world. If he or she can create their own podcast is just gravy! My mom and dad are both 65 and neither are at all up to speed with technology. My mom still has to ask me sometimes how to cut and paste!!!!
Two thoughts:
1) If you are the president, you have people to help you with technology, you don't have to be a tech whiz. In fact I would be worried if the president was a technofile. I want the president to be an expert on domestic and foreign policy.
2) My 87 year old mother would be a nervous wreck if she had to learn to use a computer. She doesn't even know how to use a cell phone! Learning how to use her FIOS TV instead of Comcast Cable has been a challenge for her. She can go the rest of her life without computers and still be fine.
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