Bit by Byte, Technolunacy is taking over
Technolunacy: the use of technology at the expense of logic. Ordering a pizza used to be simple. Then some genius invented an App. Welcome to the brave new world, where common sense is being devoured, byte by byte.
So, it’s come to this.
I’m sitting in the car. In the dark. Hunched over my iPad, ordering dinner.
Not 5 steps away are the bright fluorescent lights and neon signs of my local pizza shop.
There are 3 staff inside. Probably intently discussing how to slice the pizzas coming out of the oven.
I know this, because I’d been there just moments earlier.
I had made the impulsive and, as it turned out, foolish decision to swing past and grab pizzas for dinner. Not that Miss Five would eat any, of course.
I walked in, strolled up to the counter and waited for the awkward teenager with the even more awkward hairnet to realise he’d actually have to talk to a customer.
Begrudgingly, he tore himself away from his slicing.
“G’Day mate. Just wondering what deals you’ve got at the moment?” I enquired.
“Umm, deals?” He parroted.
“Yeah, a couple of pizzas and garlic bread, or something,” I insisted.
“Umm,” he repeated. “Ahh. Erm. Hang on a sec. Ummm. Okay, it’s $29.95 for 2 pizzas, garlic bread and a Coke.”
I must have misheard him. $29.95. It seemed a bit steep.
“Hang on. Is it going to be cheaper if I order with an App?”
Poor kid. I thought he was going to cry. His mouth became an odd combination of smile and grimace. His shoulders shrugged so high they touched his ears. And he stammered unintelligibly.
I took that as a ‘yes’.
“No worries,” I said. “I’ll be back.” And turned on my heel to grab my iPad.
The only other bloke in the store jumped to his feet. He had a code. He was happy to share.
Not only did I save $10, I got an extra pizza.
I didn’t need it. We couldn’t eat it. But it didn’t make sense to pay more for less.
I can only assume that by walking through the front door, I’d sent the message that I’d already decided to buy. Apparently, I didn’t need to be wooed with cheap prices.
Fair enough. It’s business.
But the difference between instore and online prices is excessive.
I call it ‘technolunacy’ – the use of technology at the expense of logic.
It’s like using a calculator to add 2 and 2. Or a phone to speak to someone in the next room.
Next year, Miss Five starts Prep.
There’s an iPad program.
It’s optional, but of course we’ve signed her up.
Still, I’m undecided if it’s too much too soon.
It’s important to me that she learns to write properly. With a pen and paper.
But, these days, it’s also important to be able to use technology. And adapt to rapid change.
After all, how else are you supposed to order cheap pizza?
