‘They
can Skype, but can’t fix a leaking pipe’, says an old-timer of Gen Y.
AD: Hey, why have you taken your scooter
apart? Planning to sell it by the kilo?
BC: Of course not! I prefer taking care of
her myself. Can you lend me a hand here?
AD: Sorry, I don’t know a thing about these
machines…
BC: Hey, aren’t you a mechanical engineer?
AD: Yes, but…
BC: Aren’t engines, motors and gears an
integral part of the technology involved in your field of engineering? And yet...
AD: Listen, I’m into information technology
now, so…
BC: It doesn’t matter. The basics of
technology always lie in understanding how things work – and that’s where your
generation – Gen Y - seems quite helpless.
AD: To hear this from a tech-averse
old-timer like you…
BC: I’m sure that loading apps or using the
latest features on their android phone comes naturally to Gen Y, but ask them about
the technology behind GSM and…
AD: Why do we need to know about GMSK, GPRS
and EDGE to use a mobile phone?
BC: It’s about knowing how things work. You
may be a whiz in packing your car with GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features, but do
you know how multi point fuel injection works?
AD: Look, we don’t need to store that kind
of information in our head - it’s available online. We can locate and download
anything in seconds.
BC: There’s a difference between knowing something
- and knowing where to find it. This is the problem with technology…
AD: I was wondering when you’d get there…
BC: Isn’t it true? If something’s broken,
Gen Y would rather replace than repair. During our times, we could set right anything
from a faulty motor to a leaking tap or a broken chair.
AD: Life was simpler back then. It's a busy
world now – we have no time…
BC: Correction - you have no skills, so you
simply pay someone else to get the job done…
AD: Look, your generation didn't have a
choice…
BC: The fact is, we loved doing things
ourselves. As a kid, I don't recall a time when a plumber, electrician or
mechanic ever visited my place...
AD: So why should technology take the rap?
BC: The younger lot today can’t build, fix
or restore… All they can do is click, download and share…
AD: Surviving in today’s world calls for a
different set of skills…
BC: Skills? Gen Y has absolutely no DIY
skills… In fact, DIY used to be ‘Do It Yourself’ during our times. Now it seems
to be ‘Downloaded It Yesterday’.
AD: But isn’t this a classic problem that
has always been around?
BC: What do you mean?
AD: Every generation believes that future generations
know nothing…
BC: Remember the time when the two of us
were driving to Yercaud and the car stalled in the middle of nowhere? I was trying
to find out what was wrong…
AD: So was I!
BC: You were busy checking if your mobile was
receiving signals…
AD: That was to get help.
BC: No, it was to take a snap of the car
and post it on Facebook with a message – ‘Stuck in the middle of nowhere, but
with an old man. Pity only the first half of my wish has come true.’
AD: A friend saw it and wanted to know if
we needed help...
BC: If that’s your way of asking for
assistance, the only help you probably need is of the professional kind.
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