2337 Technology… Should we rely on it?

Good evening, everyone. How are you all? Today’s post is a bit different to what I normally talk about. This week, I had an experience that got me thinking about technology and how much it is a part of our daily lives. Don’t get me wrong, I am not against technology, it is a great thing to have on hand, but do I think we should need it or use it as much as we do? Nope.

What do you think? Is it something you have never thought about, are you someone who had the highest tech all the time? The biggest TVs, the newest phone, a smartwatch, is your life run from your phone?

I am a bit old school when it comes to some things, such as I still have a diary/planner where I write down my appointments and birthdays. I still have notebooks; I still have 400+ pens. I know some people who don’t own pens. For example, university students need to go and buy a laptop these days instead of a pencil case and a huge notebook.

My go-to when I start organising is pen and paper. Being able to physically cross out a job I have finished or an item I have purchased is so much easier than tapping a phone screen. Say you get to the shop and your phone’s battery dies… you now don’t have your list.

Anyway… going back to the current technology. Lately, I have found that you need an app for everything these days. An example is the ASDA rewards app… why can’t they just add it to the ASDA shop app. Facebook and Facebook messenger? You now need an app to use a discount card in KFC. The point of going into a restaurant is face-to-face interaction, why should I use my phone to order and get the discount and then go to the restaurant to pick it up? If I have to use my phone to order, I may as well not leave the house.

I have noticed when signing into your accounts on certain websites, you need your phone close by because they send you a text to make sure it is you. I understand the added security, but why do you need your phone? I HATE having to be stuck to my phone.

Where I work, to book holiday/annual leave, you have to do it through an app. To get payslips… you need an app. Social media is different because the purpose is to be social, so carrying that with you makes sense. But when there are pickpockets and thieves around you daily, having to have your phone out in the shop at the till isn’t exactly safe in my opinion.

I know some people have their bank cards in an app on their phones. I don’t understand why you need this. A card weighs NOTHING. And they aren’t exactly big, they aren’t hard to carry around so why do you need your bank card on your phone? I get for some people it is easier to have everything on your phone and I haven’t anything against it if it works for you. I have a problem with NEEDING your phone. Like with bank cards, it is still an option to use your actual card, but with apps and store cards, most of them you now need the app present and there while you are in the shop.

Apart from my own personal views… what about those in the community who do not have a smartphone. For example, in the older generation, a lot of them don’t have or won’t use smartphones, let alone individual apps. but a lot of them won’t know how to use the apps or need help to do so which will hold up queues, get the customer all flustered because of the 10 people behind them etc. Or even worse the retail worker getting frustrated because their customer is holding up the queue.

So, what I am trying to say is. Technology is a great thing… but only if you can use it when you choose to. It shouldn’t be a requirement to have a certain piece of technology to get a discount. You could go as far as saying requiring an app to get a discount is discrimination because the young and the elderly are not likely to be able to have such devices. There are of course some of the older generations who do know, and it isn’t an impact on them.

I do also understand that it is part of saving rubbish from going into landfills, however, it should be a choice. Each person should choose if they use the app or have a physical card. It would still reduce waste, but it would also be inclusive and for some people enable them access to the same store discounts.

That is the end of my rant about technology and daily life. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.