Luddite or Modernist?

If you've ever watched an older episode of “NCIS” you'll notice that the main character, “Gibbs” (Mark Harmon), only uses a flip-phone. He's basically a Luddite who doesn't want to upgrade to the fancy new phones because he either wants to cling to the old ways or just doesn’t want to take the time to learn how to adapt to the newer phones.

His comrades put up with this because, well, he's the boss. Plus, they really like him and just think of it as a quirk. 

Some folks might even say it's endearing, but to me, it's a representation of many people today who selectively choose what new technology to embrace. Unless it's for economic or environmental reasons, I find it irritating. 

Do these modern-day Luddites want to return to outdoor plumbing? 

Dirt/mud roads or paved?

 

Horses instead of cars?  (before you say, “oh, I’d like to ride a horse” remember it takes more effort to maintain a horse. You can’t just put it in the garage. Plus, although greenhouse gases are a problem, think about, ahem, piles in the street). 

 

Would you prefer to light your house with candles or do you like to be able to see things more clearly by flipping a switch?

The one that really gets me though is that so many people say they prefer printed books to ebooks. Admittedly, I’m biased because all of my books are electronic.

These people say they prefer the printed copy, yet they will write an email rather than scribble a letter by hand. They read those emails on their phone; they don’t print them out see what Mom has to say. Likewise, they use the “map app” on their phone rather than get out a paper map to see where the dentists’ office is located. They post a picture on Facebook of their trip to the local bar instead of going over to their BFF’s house to tell about their exploits.  

So, these anti-ebook Luddites either need to be consistent or join the rest of us in the 21^st Century and read the latest by Stephen King on their iPhone/iPad—while riding in that carriage to their cave.