Nope, I'm talking about the little changes that are forced on us by other people because... Well, I'm not exactly sure why. Like the constant upgrades to computer software. Dudes, that shit was working AWESOME until you decided it needed tweaking - and now it's broke. (I'm looking at you Microsoft and Facebook and Gmail.)
I also like change when it's something I've decided to change. And in the way I'VE decided to change it. Like a haircut. I change my hairstyles every time I get my hair cut. (Which can be as many as 4 times a year or as few as 2.) But I get to decide what I want my hair to look like. Right? Yeah, not so much. More often than not, I end up with the hair dresser's concept of what my hair ought to look like. So instead of edgy, I look like this:
(Not that I don't love Dorothy, but I had that hairstyle when I was twelve, and I took a lot of teasing because of it.)
My change? My choice.
Don't even get me started on the health insurance changes that are currently being forced upon me. (Got the letter Saturday... still pissed...) I could rant for pages, but I won't.
It's not that I can't change. Hell, last year I moved to entirely unfamiliar state and that went well. (Because it was something we CHOSE to do.) But like New Coke, changing things for the sake of changing things usually just sucks.
What about you? What do think of change?
I have to say that I agree with you totally. I recently decided to move into the 21st century and got a smart phone. I can't tell you how much I hate the blooming thing. I can't type a message on it because I keep hitting the wrong keys, I can't see it without dragging out my glasses and if the battery runs out & I'm re-charging it, the alarm doesn't go off. I keep wanting to go back to my little Nokia because at least you could feel when you'd hit the wrong key and I could text without having to look at the screen. Not that I don't like technology, I do but like you they keep changing it. Another thing that bugs me to death is manufacturer "improving" their product. I've used Colgate toothpaste since I was a girl but they keep improving it and every time they do it tastes yeuch. Then I have to get used to it all over again. And the very worst thing, you start buying a series of books then when book 5 or 6 comes out, its either in hardback or is so massive it won't fit on your shelves and makes my selves all wonky & odd. Stop me now ... I could keep going ...
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to computers and software, I feel your pain, I truly do!
ReplyDeleteI think change happens when corporations want more money. "Oh, we're not selling any more software. Let's change it and force them to upgrade! And then they'll be forced to buy our books so they can learn it all over again."
If it was just a security issue, they wouldn't have to redo EVERYTHING! They think they're matching the competitor, but if I wanted them to be like the competitor, I'd buy the competitor's software! Duh!!!
I can't buy a new computer anymore without having all my software changed. And that frustrates me the most. I know the hardware gets old and broken and needs to be replaced, but why the software? Why??? So I'm stuck with my old laptop, praying it never breaks down.
Okay, I'll stop now. :)
Yes. Everything thing you said. In triplicate. Though I'm really glad we don't have to use carbon paper for that anymore. Just sayin'...
ReplyDeleteFran, I have nothing but admiration for you. I still refuse to give up my dumb phone. :)
ReplyDeleteI like change, as I think it keeps me on my toes, and while some changes do annoy me (hello, Microsoft, could we leave Word alone for at least five years so I can learn how to fully use the latest version?) most of it is good for me. It reminds me to keep learning and not to become complacent and stagnate.
Change for no reason other than to make more money off people, on the other hand, seriously irks me. Like the video gaming systems that come out and are all the rage, at least until Christmas when the better version is released, and the new games can't be played on the old system, etc. I got to the point with my kids where I just said no to new gaming systems for birthdays/Christmas gifts. If they wanted them, they had to earn the money to buy them. I'm also seeing the same thing with smart phones and e-readers, or at least I think it's the same -- how many types of IPhones or Kindles or Nooks do we need, really?
How did I not comment - maybe I got myself into a tither about change and decided to calm down first! I couldn't agree more, B.E. - change for the sake of change is silly. Phones, computers (I work with a ton of them through the Day Job and everytime something 'changes', I have to walk my people through fixes - my people are not computer literate, I'm not much, either) - urgh!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I like change when I decide to change (hand up on the moving change and haircut change). But don't force something on me - I ain't going to like it!!!