Three Dialogues about Technology

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2.6 Dialog 1 So the other day I got my new bank card through the mail and it’s one of those contactless ones. You just place it on the handset. You don’t have to input your pin number or anything. The only thing is the maximum transaction is 20 pounds, which is a bit of a hassle. Well, for little stuff like if you’re in a rush and just grabbing a coffee or whatever it’s great.

And people want that nowadays. But what happens if somebody nicks your card? That’d bother me. It’s bizarre how things have changed over time. Like, you know, you used to swipe your card and then sign to pay for something.

And then we had chip and pin. And now we’ve got to the point where we just tap our cards. Feels like I barely have time to get used to one technology before the next one is introduced. Even chip and pin worried me because I thought if somebody was looking over my shoulder they could see my number. I think it’s getting less safe.

And wanting everything so fast means we’re getting lazy. Just like with the cards. We’re certainly living in a world where we want everything instantly. It’s like those travel cards that you can top up on the go. That’s what these cards are about, being quick and convenient.

But that means compromising sometimes. And that’s not always a good trade off. You know, I’m probably the only person I know who’s not into social media. I miss real conversations face to face, don’t you? We seem to have lost the habit.

I agree. But then when you are face to face, it’s sometimes no better. It drives me potty the way you see some people flick through Facebook on their phones while other people are trying to engage them in conversation. It seems downright rude to me. I guess it’s okay for people who live far away from each other so they can keep in touch.

But when you’re right there, well, I just don’t get it. And liking something is so easy. People like things. They haven’t even read. It requires so little attention and commitment.

And the words have no depth. I think it cheapens human contact, honestly. And just don’t get me started on texting. Personally, I want to erase myself from all this social media, but that’s actually a real pain in the neck to do. I mean, it’s surprisingly difficult to disappear completely from a social network once you’re registered.

I hear there’s an app that permanently deletes you from all that stuff and leaves no trace, as if your Facebook profile had never existed. Oh, really? Sounds like just what I need. Dialog3 Books are unique, aren’t they? Unwinding with a good book always cheers me up.

There’s no finer feeling, you know? Really savoring a book and not caring about anything else. I really think they’re objects of desire. And you don’t think the same joy can be got from an e-reader? I mean, the act of reading is the same.

Maybe they’re not as romantic, but they are much more practical. Can you imagine going on holiday with all those piles of books again when you can have them all on one device? I’m not first about the weight, to be honest. And when you’re finished, you can give them to your friends. It enriches the whole experience to be able to share.

Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t go anywhere without my e-reader now. It’s positively addictive and I can read it anywhere. And when I want a new book, I can download it right there and then and start reading it immediately. Which means I am actually reading more now. It’s amazing.

You should try it for yourself. Oh, they just don’t appeal to me. Just compare reading the printed page with that screen glaring at you all the time. We have too many screens anyway. We don’t need another one.

Now you’re just being old fashioned.