Still Learning...

We are always in a constant state of learning. Whether we want to or not. Smart phones, smart TV's, and many other electronic gadgets constantly stress our brains to learn more and adapt to new technology, in order to make our lives "easier and more convenient." And while most of us are more than willing to learn new things, we "older folks" have a harder time cramming all that technology into a timeworn brain that is already "low on memory" and showing signs of "hard drive failure." I mean, let's face it - by the time you get past middle age, there's hardly enough room in there to decide what to eat for breakfast -much less how to download a new app on your smartphone! 

Nevertheless, in a feeble attempt to keep pace with ever changing technology, we "reboot our system, "upgrade our hardware", and try to make room for the newest gadgets and devices that we are fated to use - whether we want to or not!

Leonardo da Vinci said, "Learning never exhausts the mind." But I disagree. In fact, if Leonardo knew how much information our brains are bombarded with on a daily basis in today's world, I think he might change his mind too! In keeping with the premise of this subject, prepare yourself to LEARN something NEW and mind boggling...

According to a group of U.S. scientists who have been studying the storage capacity of synapses, which are the brain connections that are responsible for storing memories, it is now believed that the human brain has a capacity of one petabyte, or 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes. One petabyte is equal to 20 million four-drawer filing cabinets filled with text, 13.3 years of HD-TV recordings, 4.7 billion books, or 670 million web pages. Click the source if you're still in a learning mood! (Source: https://alt1037dfw.radio.com/blogs/luckey/human-brain-has-capacity-store-and-remember-5-million-books )

Now, if you're like me, this is the time you've ever heard the term "petabyte". Yeah, I looked that up too; a petabyte is equal to 1,000,000,000 gigabytes - a term you're probably MORE familiar with. AND, in my research to find THAT little tidbit of information, I also learned there's an even BIGGER byte - the exabyte - which is 1,000 times larger than a petabyte! But WAIT, there's MORE - there's also zettabytes and yottabytes! But alas, I humbly digress...

I'd venture to guess that most of us are not even coming CLOSE to retaining a gigabyte of information, much less a petabyte! Yet, other researchers say the human brain is loaded with 34 gigabytes OR MORE of information EVERY DAY! (Source: https://www.tech21century.com/the-human-brain-is-loaded-daily-with-34-gb-of-information/ ) most of which comes through the use of mobile phones, online entertainment services, the Internet, electronic mail, television, radio, newspapers, books, and social media. Whew! No wonder our brains are fried at the end of the day! (Click here to see if YOUR brain is fried!) 

And as if all that statistical stuff isn't mind boggling enough, throw advancing AGE into the mix and it's a wonder we can even remember our own name sometimes! (Raise your hand if you've had problems with that once or twice, too! lol!) Yet, if we want to keep up with the latest technology, we're forced to keep uploading our brains at warp speed with MORE information every day!

Despite the struggle to keep learning in our "golden years", it's still important that we TRY to learn AND retain as much useful information as possible, in order to exercise our brain and keep it healthy. Exercise the brain? I know what you're thinking - it's all I can do to walk to the other end of the house without giving out of breath, and you're telling me I need to exercise my BRAIN, too?!  Yes! You know the old exercise adage - "use it or lose it", right? Well, that doesn't just apply to your body; Your brain needs exercising, too! (Get ready to learn something ELSE new!)

According to MORE research (BTW, who ARE all these people that get paid to do all this "research?" I want THEIR job!), learning something new such as a different language, learning to play a musical instrument or learning a new hobby, are all good ways to keep your brain on it's toes and continually introduce new challenges. (Source: https://www.verywellmind.com/brain-exercises-to-strengthen-your-mind-2795039)  I don't know about you, but just learning how to use my new smartphone was challenging enough! And if that constitutes "exercising the brain", then my brain must be in BETTER shape than my body! lol!

Now that I'm in my "prime years", learning takes on a whole new meaning. When I was younger - particularly high school age - I looked at learning as a "means to an end". I HAD to learn the answers to test questions so I could pass the course and go on to the next grade. End of story. Learning was just another chore - much like cleaning my room or washing the dinner dishes, both of which I hated to do, but HAD to do if I wanted an allowance. Again, a means to an end. 

Sadly, I never saw learning as something fun or rewarding. And naively, like most school-age kids, I was SURE once I graduated high school, my "learning days" would be OVER and all that boring math and science rubbish would be of little use in the "adult world". And while I wished now I had paid a little more attention in those classes, I have learned MOST of my VALUABLE learning have come through LIFE EXPERIENCES - NOT new technology. I'm sure if you're my age or older, you can relate, and will agree. 

Learning takes on a different meaning when you're older. No longer FORCED to learn, you learn because you WANT to, or in the case of technology, because it will benefit you in a more "recreational" way. Take technology, for example. Almost everything in our daily lives revolves around some type of technology. From smart phones to smart cars, we are nothing more than "wireless robots" - controlled through and by every kind of electronic device you can imagine. Electronic puppets, if you will, manipulated by shiny gadgets and intelligent applications (apps) that control our every thought and action. And though we are not "forced" to learn to live in a technology-driven world, we would be woefully left behind if we chose NOT to. In other words, if we don't move WITH technology, we WILL be left BEHIND! 

So, reluctantly we choose to learn how to program our smart TV's and download apps on our smartphones. We learn how to charge our smart cars. We learn how to email our friends, attach files, download photos and download a digital book. We learn how to "sync" our devices, log our appointments in our smartphone, set our digital home security systems, do our on-line banking, and face-time with our loved ones. We learn how to communicate with others through social media and conduct business meetings through video conferencing. And we learn how to find an app for everything else we CAN'T do. All in the name of technology.  All so we can "fit in". All just so we can brag about having the latest I-phone or Android. But mainly All so that we can SURVIVE in this high-tech, fast paced "Jetson age". 

The older I get, I've "learned" (no pun intended), that I don't HAVE to continue punishing my brain by filling it with MORE complicated or useless technology. Frankly, I'm DONE with all that! Sure, I'm a website designer, and there are certain technology-based tools I NEED and HAVE to learn to provide my clients with the most advanced performing website they want and need. And because my business is critical to my livelihood, I reserve most of my technology learning for THAT. However, in my personal life, I have NO desire to learn how to use MORE apps, program MORE devices, or learn how to control my lights with an app, or even spy on my neighbors with a drone. I am perfectly content to be able to use my current smartphone and smart TV, and my "no-frills"tablet, - used mainly for shopping online! 

As far as all the other "smart devices" available nowadays,  I think Lori Grenier said it best in an episode of Shark Tank I watched recently. Referring to a couple who had invented software that "alerted you when your mate was ready for sex", she remarked that this was a case of technology that had gone "completely overboard". I wholeheartedly agree! I mean there are just SOME areas of life that technology should NOT be used! (If you didn't see that episode, you can watch it here. (Watch for the entrepreneurs who pitched "Love Sync")

So, have I stopped learning, cursing myself to be at the mercy of the electronic robots around me? NO -not at all. I'm just replacing all that complex, intrusive learning with plain, simple, everyday common sense, and a devil-may-care, Bohemian way of learning. Such as learning how to create unique crafts or jewelry, or learning how to put up my own homemade apple butter. Or learning how to make new recipes. Learning how to SLOW DOWN and take long walks through the woods.  Learning how to tell the difference between the enchanting call of the whippoorwill and the brash jeering of the blue jay. Learning how to plant fall tulip bulbs at just the right time to see their brilliant blooms in Spring. Learning how to be alone and at PEACE with myself no matter where I'm at. Learning how to put DOWN my cellphone and read a book or get down on the floor and play with my dog. Learning that DOESN'T involve complicated technology or temperamental apps. Learning that allows me to go at my OWN PACE, without worrying about getting left behind. Learning on MY OWN TERMS without fear of feeling dumb or inferior. Learning for the FUN of it - not because the world tells me I need the "latest and greatest" in technology to survive. 

Learning how to co-exist WITH technology, instead of fearing I can't exist WITHOUT IT.

So let the Gen-X world embrace today's technology. After all, it is the wave of their future. As for me, I look forward to the day when, like my elderly parents, I can be happy with a simple flip phone and a good hard back book to read. And my tablet - because shopping online is one benefit of technology I will ALWAYS embrace! :)