Pop Quiz CTL Subscribers. Put on your thinking caps and name a couple of skills you needed before the Internet and having a smartphone in your purse or pocket.
- Spelling – I can remember being a decent speller. Now I just ask Google or Alexa to spell a word.
- Arithmetic – With a calculator on every phone you can just type in or better yet just say “Ok Google add these numbers”.
- Maps- remember looking at a printed map for the directions . If you’re born before 1990 you may have never looked at a physical maps
- Libraries – This one is very sad for me because libraries and physical book stores were always a wonderful trip for me. Now a student can wait to the very last minute to do their assignments
- Writing printed (non email) letters. The image of being a college freshman just flashed in my head. Coming down to the collection of dormitory mailboxes and getting that letter from home was a cherished experience.
- Typewriters. Taking a typing course in High School was a big bonus in searching for material now.
- Photo Albums: The skill of filing has totally been replaced by digital photo albums and tags.
Summary: Although my life style and my ability to find information has greatly improved with the Internet. I think these are some of the down sides that have affected me.
- My handwriting has deteriorated. I don’t even enjoy writing.
- I am thoroughly addicted to my smartphone.
- My patience for listening is at an all time low.
- I am too easily distracted.
What skills have you lost since the Internet is so much a part of our lives?