"The all-too-few of us already thriving online now and who’ve seen the future, find it hard to explain to the multitudes who haven’t yet what this all is and why it’s really important."
Some people are well-aware of what computers are, but they choose not to use them. It's not because they don't have the money or the expertise to use them; I know a sheriff's deputy who uses computers in his work, but he doesn't have a computer at home. He never uses a computer when he's off work.
From time to time I suggest to people where they can get free computer training; there are ways to obtain actual hardware either inexpensively or even free of charge.
But few who I offer such suggestions to, want to use computers. The reason they don't use computers is not because they cannot, but choose not to.
I wonder how much of that choice is driven by fear, not so much fear that the computer would Do Bad Things, like some enraged minor deity, but fear that they really are Out Of It and can't learn new things.
If they don't try, they can't fail, and they don't have to face up to things quite yet.
OR they consider computers as work machines and don't want to bring work home.
I mean, if all you're going to do with it is watch TV and fart around online, you don't need a computer at home really. You're better off without TV and you're definitely better off without wasting time on imgur, HN, Facebook, etc.
My point is, having a computer at home is kind of passe these days unless you're a nerd.
Most people use those on their phone, not on their computers.
Looking at my non-nerd family members and non-nerd friends it seems that the only reason anyone opens a computer is to watch a movie, watch youtube on a bigger screen, or to do some sort of work or another. (school reports for instance)
I think this statement reflects that this is a period piece describing a time when you told people you had a computer and they would always inevitably ask you "but what are you going to DO with it?"
Some people know all about computers. That's why they choose not to use them - that Sheriff's Deputy for example.
I myself am quite a good automobile driver. I have no problem at all driving quite safely at one-hundred miles per hour. I'm also handy with tools, so I have no problem maintaining a car all on my own.
Even so, I prefer public transportation for many good reasons. It's not like I don't know what I could do with a car. It's that I like riding trains.
Some people are well-aware of what computers are, but they choose not to use them. It's not because they don't have the money or the expertise to use them; I know a sheriff's deputy who uses computers in his work, but he doesn't have a computer at home. He never uses a computer when he's off work.
From time to time I suggest to people where they can get free computer training; there are ways to obtain actual hardware either inexpensively or even free of charge.
But few who I offer such suggestions to, want to use computers. The reason they don't use computers is not because they cannot, but choose not to.