One of the problems with computers is the sheer number of ways to do things. Take for example how to copy a file from one place to another. You can:
– drag and drop
– copy and paste with keyboard shortcuts
– copy and paste with menu items
– cut and paste
– open the file and use save as to save it in another place
That’s just what comes to mind as I sit on the Metro typing this. And that’s the problem. There are any ways to do everything and that’s a major point of confusion.
I am good with computers so I know these ways. I understand the conventions of computing. I understand them because that’s what I’m interested in and where I’ve spent my time. I enjoy computers and what I can do with them.
But not everybody does.
In fact, I’d wager most people don’t enjoy their interactions with computers. They’re confusing. Why? Because they’re unpredictable. Doing the same thing over and over doesn’t always produce the same result.
I’m talking to a mostly tech savvy audience so this can be hard to relate to. So let’s take something I struggle with.
Navigation.
I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. Drop me in a housing development and I may never be seen again. I have absolutely no sense of direction.
I struggle to find my way to the simplest of places. I struggle to remember if I turned right or left into a strip mall. Which direction did I come from and how do I get home from here?
Driving is my computing. I rely on my phone’s GPS. With that bit of tech, I can fearlessly drive anywhere and find my way home.
Why am I talking about my sense of misdirection? Because that’s how computers feel to many people. What?
When I am in a new city, riding with a friend, we will often take different routes in and out of their neighborhood. We will never use the same route twice. This is not to be mean. They know the best routes and will take the best choice as needed.
Because it’s familiar to them, it’s easy and they don’t think about it. But to my already struggling brain, I’m confused beyond belief and without aid of a GPS, I’d never leave the house for fearing of taking the wrong turn at Albuquerque.
That’s how computers are to many people. Remember all of those ways to get a file from one place to another? That’s how everything feels.
There’s many ways to print, open a file, navigate the Internet, access email and move files. And often times different people will use and try to show them a different way.
It’s the never take the same route twice driving problem. How can I be expected to learn the route when it’s different every single time?
And roads are static. They don’t change. And if they do it’s a slow process of construction.
Computers are nothing but change. They’re a box of variables upon variables. Even reproducing the same steps 10 times could produce two or more results.
It’s easy to dismiss questions as being so easy. But think about something you struggle with.
For me it’s driving and navigating. For you maybe it’s something else. We all have something we struggle with. And asking for help can lead to greater confusion. Is it any wonder people give up and just have you do it?
Sports commentary with Marshawn Lynch
By Carl
On January 30, 2015
In Observations
I don’t know Marshawn Lynch and I don’t follow the Seahawks, but I continue to be amused and interested in his handling of the media. It’s a circus and he wants no part in it. He’s not feeding into the media hype and sound bites to replay a thousand times over.
Is this what an introvert thrust into the spotlight looks like? Or is this a guy who wants to do his job and do it well without the extracurricular activities his workplace demands of him?
Either way, I continue to enjoy his treatment of the media. Because really, what are they expecting from him?
His first required appearance he answered every question with “I’m just here so I won’t get fined.”
The next time he was required to appear, he answered, “You know why I’m here.”
In his required media appearance today, he broke his silence and said:
I’ve followed professional sports for years and every single interview sounds the same. “We went out and played well / didn’t play well. We are going to look forward to the next game and focus on that. It’s not about today’s win/loss but we are looking ahead to the next one.” It’s refreshing to see Marshawn Lynch’s disinterested treatment of the media. They need him and he doesn’t need them. And he knows it. He’s doing what the NFL requires of him and nothing more.
I’ll leave you with another great sports interview. This one from DeAndre Jordan.
“I was listening to Tupac and I forgot the question.”
At the end of the day, say what you will about Marshawn Lynch and his treatment of the media. But the clips of him blowing them off have generated far more interest, hits and views than anything else he could have said. So is he really doing the media a disservice? He’s giving them what they want. Ad Dollars.