I will readily admit that I am no “technological wizard” by any means. It took a great deal of trial and error to figure out how to get the signal from my DVD player to show up on my TV. So, I am in no position to really criticize anyone else for their technological acumen, or lack thereof. However, I have discovered the great value in knowing what I don't know. I'm reminded of something Mark Twain once said. “At this time, there are two men in the world who are most remarkable,” said the famed American humorist. “Rudyard Kipling is one and I am the other. Between us, we cover all knowledge. Kipling knows all that can be known, and I know the rest.”
All this was to lead up to an experience I had recently. I was recently in a local sandwich place patiently waiting in line to purchase my tuna sandwich. I have heard rumor that the tuna sandwiches at this particular place do not contain any tuna DNA, but I honestly don't care about that. It doesn't matter to me if they put DNA in the tuna salad or not, as long as it tastes good, I'm happy. But that's neither here nor there. I was waiting to purchase my tuna salad sandwich when a girl ahead of me in line was attempting to pay for her sandwich with her phone. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, she was having trouble making the transaction. It was beginning to take a great deal of time and my patience was beginning to wear a bit thin. At one point in time she muttered “This is ridiculous.” To which, I muttered under my breath, “Well, you've got the ridiculous part right.” I did say it under my breath, so it couldn't be heard. At least, I don't think it was heard. By that point in time, I really didn't care if it was heard or not.
Eventually, my thinning patience reached its breaking point and I said, “I'll go ahead and pay for it.” This was during my lunch break and it was soon about to cost me more than the $11 to continue to stand there and wait for this young lady to figure out how to pay for her sandwich with her phone. Speaking just for myself, I use my phone to make phone calls, I use my wallet to pay for sandwiches. I do remember from the TV show “Get Smart,” Maxwell Smart had a phone in his shoe, but he was an international spy. I don't think sandwich-girl was an international spy.
I have nothing against people using technology as a way of making life more convenient. But experience has shown me that “smart” technology is only as “smart” as the person using it. Otherwise, it will likely be more of an annoyance than anything resembling a convenience. But, if you think about it, it could be a way of having your lunch paid for by a person behind you. Well, it's lunch time, I better get my phone. I'm not sure if I have enough cash on me.