facebook   linkedin   goodreads    Buy the Book
  • Home
  • Authors
    • Sister Authors
    • Meet Leslie
    • Meet Meryll
  • Book
    • About the Book
    • Discussion Questions
    • Beyond the Pale
    • Behind the Scenes
    • More about the Dedication Page
    • Reviews
  • Blog
    • Latest Blogs
    • Featured Books
    • Blog Archive
  • Extras
    • Deleted Chapters
      • Choose Your Beginning
        • The Missing Introduction
        • Alternate Chapter 1
      • Ballerina Alla
      • Baubie Chapters
        • Celestial Tea and Essig Flaish
        • Celestial Tea and Mandelbrot
        • Celestial Tea and Poppy Seed Cookies
    • Recipes from Baubies
      • Recipes from Grandma Rae
        • Essig Flaish
        • Mandelbrot
        • Mohn Cookies
  • Press
    • Press Kit
    • In the Media
    • Reviews
  • Events
  • Contact
Font size: + –
Print
Bookmark |

Not Twittering One's Life Away

Friday, 25 November 2016
Meryll
Jewish Luck Blog
1743 Hits
0 Comments
Not Twittering One's Life Away

What's the antonym of "early adopter" in the world of technology?

Search Google and you won't find an answer. The illustration to the right suggests "laggard" and I've also heard the term "Luddite" bandied about.While I'm not a complete Luddite, I certainly fit the category of "laggard." I like seeing how the technology will work out before I shell out dollars to buy the latest. I grew up in the age of Edsels, reel to reel tape recorders, and IBM Selectric. And where are those products now?As for microwaves, by the time I bought one, most people were already on their second or third models.I wanted to make very sure I wasn't nuking my family's brains along with mac and cheese.

Leslie has been relentless in her drive to move me along the curve from "laggard" to "late majority" especially when it comes to i phones and androids. (I think those are interchangeable). I continue to resist. After all, I lived without an android phone for 65+ years without sustaining any great hardships—except that Leslie can't reach me all the time. I thought I became technologically savvy when I received my used Nokia from my son.I find it a terrific conversation starter.

As I began to give book talks without Leslie at my side, I was forced to learn how to create a slideshow and hook up my computer to a projector. It made me realize I can do more than use a computer as a fancy typewriter if I have to.

Deciding to have not just one but two websites has thrown me headfirst into a technology morass.With this website, morejewishluck.com, I was proud once I learned how to write a blog, upload an image and play around with the calendar.For my second website, tastingtorah.com, I have created a three page cheat sheet to remind me of all the details about uploading material.My patient web designer has been holding my hand from Israel (she has a long reach) and gently leading me onwards into the world of the back end of a website. Facebook still eludes me and that will probably be my next frontier.By the time I have figured out how to use Facebook, it will probably be obsolete.

The technology that never appealed to me was Twitter. Why would someone "follow" a celebrity? What can one say in 140 characters? Is there even a chance I could be pithy enough to write a message that short? Writing means reflection and editing. As I listen to NPR, I hear that tweeting is on the wane. Another fly by night technology.

I am not pining for the days of Kodachrome and endless trips to the library for research, but I will hold fast to my attitude, if I need the technology, I'll figure it out. For now, I'd rather take a walk outdoors at the lake and gaze at real clouds or hang out with my grandchildren close enough for hugs than keep up with the 21st century. I'll get there when I need to.  Time to figure out my iPhone 7.




Note from Leslie:  Meryll, my dear laggard sister, you are entirely correct.  You really needs a smart phone now.  The world is waiting to text you, and you need to be able to access your emails right away.  Phone calls are so old school!

Tags:
late technology adopter early adopter Twitter Facebook Nokia
December Author of the Month: Jonas Hassen Khemir...
Return to Hope

About the author

Meryll

Meryll

  http://morejewishluck.com
View author's profile More posts from author
Meryll Levine Page is a retired high school history teacher with a special interest in women’s history. She taught extensively about the Soviet Union and its break-up. Currently she co-facilitates the Minneapolis Jewish Artists’ Lab.
Author's recent posts
Friday, 09 April 2021 Jewish on the Down Low
Sunday, 02 July 2017 Hack Attack
Sunday, 02 July 2017 July Book of the Month: Bloodlines by Neville Frankel
Sunday, 11 June 2017 Haunted by the Past; Family Pictures, Part II
Friday, 26 May 2017 What happened to Meryll's blogs?
 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Guest
Monday, 27 June 2022

Captcha Image

Recent Blogs

Meryll
Meryll
09 April 2021
Jewish on the Down Low
I snapped up the invitation to speak at a zoom meeting for the Jewish Affinity Group from Columbus School for Girls. Self-quarantining for almost a year has made me hungry to talk about Jewish Luck. It's certainly clear from the news that Vera and Alla's perceptions about the "New" Russia are just as relevant now as they were when Vera first encountered Putin in Leningrad.More than the intellectua...
Read More
Leslie
Leslie
07 February 2021
American Kompromat
What I learned from American Kompromat by Craig Unger (2021) Dutton: NYC has prompted me to write a blog. Trigger Warning: This book contains potentially distressing content that could trigger trauma that we have experienced regarding the previous US President. I whisper this mantra to myself: "We're safe now. He's gone. We're safe now." The purpose of this exercise is to reduce my blood pre...
Read More
Leslie
Leslie
31 January 2021
Alexey Navalny: Intrepid SuperHero of Russia
"Faster than a speeding bullet." .Organized anti-government rallies in 109 cities across Russia from jail for January 23 and January 30, 2021. Watch each weekend. "More powerful than a locomotive."  Able to make a miraculous recovery from Novichok poisoning on Aug. 20, 2020 after remaining in a coma for nearly a month. His is the only known case of survival of that strain of Novichok. "...
Read More

Invite Us To Speak

invite

We were featured speakers at Hadassah Brandeis Institute and Levy Summer Series. Our speaking engagements include JCCs, synagogues, libraries, book groups, retirement communities, schools, and organizations (e.g. ORT, Hadassah, and Women's League). References are available. 

Invite Us To Speak
 

Talk Review

"I was very fortunate to be able to hear Meryll and Leslie speak at a Hadassah event in Israel. Each of the ~50 participants really enjoyed the event because Meryll and Leslie were so engaging. While they had a natural rapport with the audience, you could also tell they had prepared well so they could connect with our particular group's interests. I learned a lot from listening to them, and I found their sisterly interaction unique and fun. If you want an enlightening and uplifting experience, attend one of their book talks."
Lisa Shimoni, Modiin Israel

Book Review

"Truly, you have written a story that makes accessible the reality of existence in Russia, through the eyes of individuals who lived through the various regimes and dictates.  It is fascinating and very well told.  As I read Vera and Alla's story, I learned more Russian history than I had known from a textbook.  That's a big deal, women!  You tell the tale with vivid detail and hook us on the two women and their stories, then weave in the history to illuminate their journeys. It is such a necessary book.  I am thrilled that the two of you collaborated, as I can see the uniqueness of your personalities come through in the stories, and that, too, makes the book a gem."
Margaret Leibfried, Danielson Group consultant

Buy the Book

Online:

Click here to order your copy of Jewish Luck: A True Story of Friendship, Deception, and Risky Business on Amazon.com.

The Kindle version is available here

In Stores:
cgb250
logo-sholom
Make a donation to Sholom Home and enjoy Jewish Luck at the same time. Jewish Luck is now available at the Sholom Home West gift store. Meryll and Leslie will donate 50% of the proceeds back to Sholom Home. Enjoy!

Tasting Torah

Nourish mind, body, and soul with Meryll's Tasting Torah, which will bring oneg (joy) and limmud (learning) to your Shabbat, broaden your culinary horizons, and draw your Shabbat guests closer together.

logo tasting torah

Highlighted Books

Meryll
Meryll
02 July 2017
July Book of the Month:  Bloodlines by Neville Frankel
July Book of the Month: Bloodlines by Neville Frankel
Leslie and I began writing Jewish Luck with an underlying question in our minds—what would life have...
Read More

Copyright © 2016 All Rights Reserved by More Jewish Luck

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Login

Site created by LiveSites