I just finished two short books by Nora Ephron, my favorite writer, director and person (without really knowing her). She wrote my all-time favorite movie, “When Harry Met Sally”. Each New Year’s Eve, without saying a word, my husband turns it on the television for me, and religiously, I watch it. Similar to my kids, I am able quote pretty much the entire movie.
So you can imagine my delight when my cousin presented me with Nora’s more recent books, “I Feel Bad About My Neck and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman” and “I Remember Nothing: And Other Reflections.”
One of the most interesting and fascinating reflections is her comment on how “Senior Moments” have turned into “Google Moments.” It is especially funny when she is clicking along and then loses it for a second and needs to run to Google to continue. I can relate.
My husband is worse. One night, we gathered our dinners in the kitchen/family room and brought our plates to the sofa to watch television during the meal. He was about to sit down, when he returned to the sink area. At that moment, without asking, I said to him, “You forgot to get a fork and napkin.” He had, of course, forgotten why he went back to the kitchen. We understand each other so well that I finally said to him the other day, “Don’t even ask the question anymore, I know what you are thinking.” This was after he asked, “What was the name of the actress with black hair, tall and thin?” I replied, “Anne Hathaway.” He said, “Yeah, that’s it.”
Most things are able to be searched on the Internet, and the two of us happily go along each night Googling away. We watched Clark Gable, then Googled everything about him. That led to Googling his wives, movies and Scarlett O’Hara. This of course led us to Googling the Civil War, then all wars, then all things American. It can be infectious.
Speaking of addictions, what is all this about Facebook and Twitter? My kids got me on Facebook, which scares me to death. The minute I logon, I have 40 friend requests from people I haven’t seen or heard from in years. How about a little privacy? But I love seeing pictures and viewing my children’s updates on Facebook, although sometimes it’s a little too much information. Plus, what is amazing is their friends whom I could not tolerate when they were growing up, are now asking me to be their friend all because we have three friends in common.
My point is we live in a “super-cyber-space” world. Now all the marketing companies are saying retirement communities need more Internet presence, including social media networking. They need to utilize Facebook because everyone is on computers.
I am frankly amazed at how few people, age 80 and greater, who have not yet embraced this all encompassing pastime. At my community, we may have 50 percent of the residents who are computer literate. I am not sure of the exact number, so maybe I should Google the statistics.
I strongly encourage anyone who is not on the computer to get with the times. At any worthwhile retirement community, classes will be offered. Life-long learning is about staying up with the times and technology. Plus, once you are on the computer, you can Google anything.
Google, what a great invention! We no longer have to remember everything. It still is important to remember your children’s and grandchildren’s names. Some things you just cannot get on the computer.
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