Technology sucks; or why I love technology.

These days it's not difficult to find a news story or post that highlights the downsides of technology, whether it is AI, Social Media, or screen time in general. And yet, modern life seemingly relies on technology to function. I'd offer that that technology itself is neither good or bad, but it is our perceptions on how we use and view it that really matters.

Here's an example. Recently, we embarked on a family trip to the dentist. Coming out of the appointment, the car would not start. Uh oh. Try again... a sputter, but no start. How can this be, it's a 2016 model year vehicle with only about 60,000 miles that has run flawlessly for years. In my mind it's still a 'new' vehicle.

I fancy myself a bit of a mechanic, and so I was inclined to try and fix it on the spot. If it was any of the pre-1985 cars that I have owned previously (like the Model A that provides the image above), I'm confident I could have had it back on the road within an hour. Yet, the reality is that there are too many control boards, modules, doo-dads and wires governing the actual mechanical functions for me to have done anything. I really felt let down by "technology" in that moment.

As I stared under the hood, I could also feel the stares directed at me from my family who just wanted to get home and not spend hours in a parking lot in 95+ degree weather. Did I mention we were about an hour from home? I needed a plan, ASAP. So I went on the AAA site and ordered up a tow truck. A moment later I had a text message confirming said truck, and a link to track its arrival. While waiting for the truck, I opened my go to rental car app and reserved a car. I might find riding in a tow truck cool, but it would not be a wise transportation choice for the 3 of us. As the truck approached, I jumped on my trusted ride hailing app and ordered a ride to the rental car agency at Newark Airport (all the local agencies had already closed). Unfortunately, I had to cancel the first ride because the car's electronic transmission was thwarting any attempt to go into neutral. Finally the right combination of patience plus button pushing and the car was loaded up and headed to the dealership (also a trackable journey). Back to the ride app and within 5 minutes we were headed in the other direction to pickup our rental car.

I understand this wasn't anything heroic on my part. However, I was really happy for all of that technology that made it possible to quickly plan around the car's malfunction. In the end, we made it home only a couple of hours later than planned.

That day I went from loathing technology to celebrating it. How about you, do you have a love/hate story with technology?

NB: The car's issue? The fuel pump died, and took the control module with it. It wasn't the $25 replacement part that one of my 'old' rides would need, but then again I do like my satellite radio, heated seats, navigation system and other modern technology in my (actually no so new) car.