LIFE- it's on demand

‘BING…’ - “Mom, you got a text message!”

“Thank you honey.”

A few minutes later--- ‘BING…’ -“Mom, is that my friend’s mom texting you? Is she coming over to play?”

“No sweetie.”

The next time the phone makes noise--- ‘BUZZ…’ -“Mom, your phone is ringing! I can check it… It says that Grandmom is calling!”

“Thank you girlfriend.”

Further comments throughout that day--- “Mom, I can’t find my laptop.”

“Mom, can you help me upload my photos?”, “Mom, can I DVR this movie?”, “Mom, is my mP3 player charged yet?” and so on…

I am describing kids and today’s technology. Its like Ken and Barbie. Or peanut butter and jelly. Just two things that go together. Children in the present day grow up using so much technology that they can run cyber rings around some more experienced, mature adults.

My daughter has always been great at the Wii and a few years ago, she was teaching my mom how to bowl with the unfamiliar wireless controller. She said to her It's okay Grandmom, old people can play too.” I used to just be amazed at kids who knew how to use the VCR. Now they rarely know what that is. They have on demand for any show they want and if they miss one, the DVR comes to the rescue or the Internet can accommodate.

I am not sure if having everything on demand is such a good thing. I was listening recently to a radio show (yes, I said radio) and they discussed how the Internet takes away people's disappointments. It explained that people are too spoiled now. People can get what they want on the spot and instant gratification is wrecking havoc on our temperaments. I can see what they mean. Often, I find myself trying to rewind actual life moments like a DVR as they are happening because I want to see them again. I Google everything and will keep searching until I get the information. I would rather order a pizza online than make the two minute phone call. I am sure the list goes on and on.

So, back when I was a kid and we walked 10 miles to school up hill both ways in the snow, things were different. Here are some of the comparisons I came up with:

Then-

Call a neighbor or knock on their door to borrow an ingredient.

Now-

Text message a neighbor to borrow an ingredient.

Then-

Call mom to tell her where you are.

Now-

Mom can check the kids’ status check-in or the GPS location of the cell phone.

Then-

Bring a quarter to call my brother from a payphone when we are ready for a ride home. Or collect call and my brother will decline the charges knowing the collect call is the “queue” to come pick me up.

Now-

Use any available cell phone to text or call because there are about two pay phones left in the Tri-State area. Pay phones are about as extinct as their rarely used prehistoric partner, the phone book.

Then-

Eat at mall, throw away trash. Walk away.

Now-

Eat at mall and the trash can opens for you plus it now speaks and thanks you.

Then-

Go to a restaurant, use the restroom. Go home and watch TV.

Now-

Go to a restaurant, use the restroom and watch a flat screen TV on the restroom wall.

Then-

Pile a bunch of kids in a station wagon without car seats, open the doors by hand and roll down the windows.

Now-

Stand next to the van, waits for the automatic door to open for you and press a button to lower the window while watching TV for a trip to the grocery store.

And my last comparison...

Then-

Make up games with friends and siblings or play outside.

Now-

Grab their Xbox and play with virtual friends or get your DS, laptop, mp3 player, netbook, Ipad, Wii, Playstation, cell phone or any other electronic device and still complain that they have nothing to do...

Do you have any comparisons to share? Tell us in the comments below.