Do I need to be concerned?
Maybe you can help me.
- I haven’t listened to a podcast since Tim and I last podcasted.
- I’ve never visited Second Life. I’m having trouble finding time for my First Life.
- I don’t VIRB or Facebook or MySpace.
- I’ve never generated a viral video. But I did innocently download a virus that shutdown the NewSpring network.
- I don’t have any widgets on my desktop.
- I don’t have an entry in Wikipedia. And, I’ve never created a Wikipedia entry.
- I tried to use a Mac, but I went back to the comfort of my PC.
- I still own a VCR and my car has a tape deck.
Am I losing my edge? I’m kind of feeling like I’m becoming the dad that always wore black socks with his shorts and tennis shoes. I’m fearful if I don’t do something about this, I may actually start shopping for clothes at Sears or something like that.
What do you think? Do I need to be concerned? Is there a twelve-step program available for guys like me? Or, am I going to be saddled with the “mature” label that someone tagged on me earlier this week. I don’t know if I’m ready to be the “mature” guy. Isn’t that just the kind way of saying you’re getting old?
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Simply Strategic Retro-Innovation? If you begin eating dinner at 4:30 at Luby’s then you’re a goner…
And the worst thing Tony, is that you blog. My kids says that’s a for sure sign somebody’s really over the hill.
“Mother, you’re not blogging again are you? Nobody under 30 does that!”
But if I forget my hormones I can’t remember my AIM iChat password so I’m limited.
Well, I’m 19 and in college and I can only say that I have a Facebook account, use a Mac and have a CD player in my car (but it came that way so I won’t count it).
I used to do the podcast thing but I usually listened to them while walking around campus and, while becoming deeply engaged in the subject, ran into a light pole one day and haven’t listened since.
Tony, I’d be happy to mentor you in the joys of Mac. I was an avid PC user (from DOS days) and I made the switch. I’m just sayin’, it’s an offer…
I wasn’t concerned until you mentioned the Mac to PC part. I’ll be praying for you.
Take Ken up on his offer. Obviously no one showed you the joys of the Mac.
Wait a second. Does this mean you have a fairly new, barely used Mac laying around you’d part with for next to nothing? You don’t need a Mac. You need to sell it. Cheap.
Well, you blog, which I think helps. But the Mac thing IS a serious problem. You need to work on that. Really.
one of the simply Sears guys
Man, you sound prehistoric! ;-)
The only thing that really shows any concern is the whole mac vs. pc thing. I’m pretty sure it’s in scripture that some things are permissible but not all things are beneficial. I’m pretty sure that refers to using a pc as well. I will pray for you though. Besides that keep up with the great things you guys are doing down in Anderson!
Not wanting to be known as an “edge loser” I signed up for a Second Life avatar/account this morning. Wow, after an hour I’m still in orientation island. I just wanted to check out lifechurch. I guess I’m too old for that stuff. I did fly and drive a car, but I can’t get off the island…
Your other choice is to keep going backwards…grab an 8 track player, wear a belt AND suspenders, and drop a shag carpet in your office. Don’t forget, there’s both a front edge and a back edge.
Tony, there’s no chance of you being labeled “mature” around the NewSpring offices.
Tony… you’re so 2003.
Todd
as long as your pants don’t have an elastic band, I would call it just a phase.
wow. You truly have stooped to a new low. Are you going to bed before 8:30pm these days and getting up at 3:30am? If so, you need to begin looking for an assisted living community!!
Interestingly enough, I have not had a virus in the 6 years since I switched to a mac… hmmm… bring down the network… foreign concepts here…
Seriously, you be you. Even if it is a “mature” you!
Hey Tony,
If you hadn’t posted this I would have assumed that you DID have all those gadgets and that you WERE a part of all the online networks…not even facebook? really??
And all the Mac fanboys come rolling out from behind their iSight cameras to tell you how “wrong” you are for not sticking with a Mac.
Give me a break.
I’ve always said it like this: use the OS that fits your style and your workflow. I like Macs and I like PCs. “Oh, the horror.” I know. But the PC really best fits what I do every day. It’s just that simple and I am content with my decision. Tony, just because you use a PC does not make you any less-savvy as a technologist.
As far as losing your edge goes, look at it like this: You know what all of these things are and you have a decent grasp at what they achieve. While you may not be fully immersed in any of them, you could probably hold an intelligent conversation with other technologists about these systems and their impact. If anything, you may have the right idea about keeping properly balanced insight about technology as a whole. If you don’t waste a lot of time at the micro-level by investing deeply at VIRB° or editing Wikipedia articles, you have more time to study the macro-level and develop a broad understanding of modern technology. The only critical mistake to watch out for in that approach is failing to take in new macro information. Just visit good sources of tech information as often as possible.
Age has nothing to do with having an edge or not.
It is difficult – and unnecessary – to have an edge in every direction. If you have one of those swords that is all edge, it has no strength. You need depth & substance too. So don’t worry about it. Give thanks instead.
I think you need a metal detector and a funny hat that says Budweiser. That would complete your black socks and Bermuda shorts ensemble for your next beach trip.
I dont have a wikipedia entry either but I will create you one if you want me to.
It may take me a while to figure it out though – since my VCR flashes 12:00 most of the time.
You now have a wiki entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_morgan
When you figure it out let me know because I’m right where you are. I don’t even know what half the things you listed are and I’m only 47.
I can’t find my black knee high socks, got a spare pair?
You have lost so many cool points with me – i’m seriously thinking about un-subscribing. You’re on the verge of becoming “Simply-Uncool” – hope it isn’t contagious :)
Thanks for boosting my self-image!
Although, I started out as a Mac user, now I hate them. I have a video iPod (but it’s still in the box). What’s a widget?
Be concerned be very concerned.
Am I the only one that noticed that Strategic and Geriatric both end in C’s?
LOL great post minus the mac comment.
At least you still have a jumpshot….for now anyway.
get a Mac, Tony! that’ll get you back on the edge!!!!
Tony, we are just getting old…. and with all the young blood running around NS, we just look even that much older…. Now if Jack,the singer dude, says you are out of touch, then I would be concerned! Keep up with him and you’ll be okay!
Tony, I forgot to bring the MAC home that I hoped to get at UNLEASH! Do you still have it? :)
Tony here’s a sure way to check out how your dressed. Look in the mirror and if your outfit looks like it would be appropriate for the golf course change clothes immediately.
You pretty normal..I guess. I’m not even sure what a widget is. But I know one thing for sure….scrap that tape deck for XM and you’ll never look back…..just ask Pastor P.
You just need to drop in on a youth small group every once in a while (for fashion and culture) and stop by Ken Wilson’s office once a week (for technology) and call me in the morning.
it’s over…pull the curtain…shut er down…(just kidding)…keep up whatever you’re trying to accomplish…I like reading it.