Quantcast
Jump to content

Electronically Handicapped - - The general public (and myself) are getting way to reliant on electronics


Gonzo

Recommended Posts

Electronically Handicapped
 
tp.gif    Are we so inundated with electrical devices we’ve forgotten how 
to do certain tasks without them? I believe the time has come when 
common sense values and electronics have crossed paths to change 
the way some people assume things are done. Yes, we’ve become 
electronically handicapped by the very means that are supposed to 
make things better.
 
    Expecting those electronic wonders to always be in working order 
is one thing, but not knowing what to do when those devices fail and 
having to resort to good old fashion “hands on” is where the problems 
and frustrations begin. 
 
 
    Case in point: a guy calls and asks if I can fix his speedometer. He explains he wouldn’t be able to drive the car to the shop, because he has no idea how fast he’s going. I suggested he just stay up with traffic or download one of the many apps displaying mph. This led to even more hysteria because he was afraid of an electronic bug affecting his phone. Instead, all he wanted was one of those “I ain’t holding ya to it” estimates. Not knowing the reason why his speedometer wasn’t working, I gave him a rough guess on the cost of the various components related to a speedometer problem.  
 
    He then tells me, “Let me know when the part shows up.” I asked, “What part?” Now I’m confused. Finally, it came down to one question. “Sir, even if I knew exactly what component or problem you’re having, how are you going to get the car here? Tow truck, or do you want me to come and get it?” I asked. Absolutely no tow trucks, and he didn’t want anyone else to drive his car. Instead, he was going to check “YouTube” for a video on how to fix it.  
 
 
    Then, there are those individuals that common sense has entirely left them.  A lady called to tell me her door locks stopped working, and how she was trapped in her car for several hours until her husband showed up. (He unlocked the door with the key from the outside.) I asked her, “Why didn’t you just unlock the door from the inside?” Her answer, “Sir, I pushed the button several times but it never would unlock the door.” I calmly asked (although I was secretly bursting with laughter), “Why didn’t you use the mechanical lock knob or push the manual lock lever in the opposite direction?” 
 
    The tone of her voice was enough to tell you she was more than a little shaken up over the whole door lock ordeal. Thinking I could ease her obvious tension, I suggested that she could have rolled the window down, but that just spurred her anxiety even more. She couldn’t understand why I would suggest such a thing; she would have had to start the car in order to do that. Since the windows were up, the fear of carbon monoxide poisoning was an even bigger concern.  
    
    Now with back up cameras, lane departure systems, auto parking, active cruise control, and perimeter warning systems some of these folks that barely understand how to turn on a light switch are going to be even more lost when these systems in their cars fail. I'm convinced by the actions of some people that it's already happening. Like the time my wife's rear view camera was covered in mud, she stopped the car, calls me and says, "The camera isn't working, is it safe to back the car up?" What's the world coming too?
 
    Pretty soon, there will be a generation that won’t understand or even care to know anything about some of the old technologies. That is until they’re face-to-face with a situation calling for some nostalgic common sense and a bit of mechanical know-how. We’ve modernized the family car into a nightmarish electronic wonder, which has caused a lot of people to lose touch with the basic fundamentals of its operation. Not only is it more complicated electronically, but it’s also becoming more reliant on GPS and computers. 
 
    Here’s something else that I don’t understand: We still call a manual shift transmission a standard transmission. There’s nothing “standard” about it anymore. It was the standard for decades, but not anymore. Now it’s rather rare for new drivers to even know how to operate a stick shift.  
 
    Even now, you see people who don’t have a clue how to use their turn signals. I doubt they know the proper hand signals or for that matter how to stick their arm out the window. Of course, that would mean rolling down the electric window, which probably doesn't work either. What about the tire monitor systems on cars these days? How many people know how to properly use a tire pressure gauge? Then again, why? We’ve got electronics to take care of that stuff. 
 
    A vehicle operator seems to require less common sense these days as the electronic world has already accomplished these tasks with minimal to no effort with things like voice activated entertainment to navigation controls. Why, we even have crash avoidance systems and air bags to keep us safe. More to the point… less personal responsibility for your actions; make it the car’s responsibility.  
 
 
    I grew up in the time when road maps were in every glove box. Folding one back up from the passenger seat while giving directions could be a contest of wit and skill to say the least. You paid attention to the road signs and observed the different land features as well as points of interest that were pointed out in the map details. These days, you listen to this voice on the navigation system that says, “Turn right in 500 feet onto exit 227.” Why, I’ll bet you didn’t even notice you passed the world’s largest ball of string a mile back. It seems the navigation voice failed to mention anything about all those roadside features the folding map could tell you about. Just goes to show how much we have become dependent on these electronic devices. 
 
    We’ve all become so complacent with our modern electronic conveniences that opening a garage door by hand seems barbaric in some way. I know I’m guilty of it myself.  
 
      One time after a rather long and frustrating day at the shop, I came down my driveway tapping my finger on the garage door remote button. The door refused to move. Not to be outwitted by a garage door remote, I sat out there bashing the button and cussing at the door… determined to get that blasted thing to raise one more time. Eventually, the wife comes out and opens the door from the inside button. She was standing there with that typical wife look of disbelief, staring at her goof ball husband having a four letter word conversation with a dead garage door remote. Her response was priceless, “The battery is probably dead in the remote dummy! Just get out of the truck and open the door!”
  
  So, you say, “Yea well, I might be a little electronically handicapped, but I’m not as bad as ya think. I could handle living like they did a hundred years ago. No battery needed to start a horse.” Oh, really? A century ago anyone over 10 years old could hitch up a two horse team to a buggy for an afternoon trip to town and knew how to deal with their horses’ temperament. Can you? Back then, that knowledge was passed down from father to son. These days, well, you’re more likely to Google the answer than ask Grandpa. 
 

View full article

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gonzo, another good story. Well, perhaps you raised a good  point for having autonomous cars. Let the car do everything for you! No need to know about how it works. Also it still  helps to think "outside the box" and solve some of those perplexing problems.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         2 comments
      My son is not in the automotive industry. He is in the commercial real estate business. However, the workplace problems are the same. Recently, his frustration with the heads of the company reached an all-time high. When I asked him why he doesn’t speak up and let the leadership know how he is feeling, he responded, “Anyone who has voiced concerns or issues has been viewed as weak and incapable of doing their job. I don’t want to be viewed like that.” This is an example of a toxic work environment.
      If you are a shop owner, you are a leader. And leaders must be approachable. That means that you are willing to hear the concerns of others and have them express themselves. It also means that while you may not agree with someone’s perspective on an issue, it is their perspective, and that viewpoint needs to be recognized and respected.
      Make it known that you want to hear the opinions of others. Literally, ask for input from others. And thank those that speak up. Now, I am not saying that you need to act on every concern or opinion. That would not be realistic. But just listening may be enough. And you never know, someone in your company may have an idea that you never thought about and even improve your business.
  • Similar Topics

    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By nptrb

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • By carmcapriotto
      Fernando Miranda, Aleta and Kevin Delaney and Jeremy Behling discuss their participation in the Transformers 2022 Summit in Cancun, where they took part in a team-building "Build a Bike" activity. The panel share heartwarming stories of giving bikes to local students in need and sponsoring their education. They emphasize the importance of philanthropy and how it can have a positive impact on both the community and business. Carm encourages listeners to have a giving heart and take action to help others. The episode aims to inspire listeners to make a positive impact in their own communities.
      Fernando Miranda, VP Transformers Institute
      Kevin and Aleta Delany, Europro Autohaus, Kelowna, Canada Jeremy Behling, Yampa Valley Tire Pros, Steamboat Springs, CO Show Notes:
      Paying it Forward and Philanthropy (00:01:16) The panel discusses the importance of giving back to the community and highlights the Build a Bike program at the Transformers conference in Cancun. The bike donation and meeting the students (00:08:14) Describes the emotional experience of giving bikes to students and the impact it has on their lives. Finding out about the student's college plans (00:09:10) Discusses the conversation with the student about her plans to become an accountant and the potential for future opportunities. Matching the donation and sponsoring the student (00:11:46) Explains how Jeremy matched the donation made by the Transformers team and how Aleta and Kevin sponsored the student directly for four years of college. The importance of giving back (00:17:41) Discussion on the motivation behind philanthropy and the impact it has on individuals and communities. Financial success vs. helping others (00:19:00) Exploration of the fulfillment and positivity that comes from helping others, even if it may have a negative impact on financial success. The power of giving first (00:21:30) Personal experience of how giving back and donating money led to a positive shift in cash flow and overall business success. The universe taking care of you (00:27:38) Exploration of the belief that giving to others leads to receiving from the universe. Challenging listeners to make a difference (00:28:46) Encouragement to take action and make a positive impact in their communities.   Thanks to our Partners Shop-Ware and Delphi Technologies
      Shop-Ware: More Time. More Profit. Shop-Ware Shop Management https://getshopware.com/
      Delphi Technologies: Keeping current on the latest vehicle systems and how to repair them is a must for today’s technicians. http://DelphiAftermarket.com
      Connect with the Podcast
      -Join our Insider List: https://remarkableresults.biz/insider
      -All books mentioned on our podcasts: https://remarkableresults.biz/books
      -Our Classroom page for personal or team learning: https://remarkableresults.biz/classroom
      -Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/carm
      -The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com
      -Special episode collections: https://remarkableresults.biz/collections
           


      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Fast Free Shipping on All Orders Over $50
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • Our Sponsors


Tire Rack: Revolutionizing tire buying since 1979.


Tire Rack: Revolutionizing tire buying since 1979.


Mickey Thompson: $100 Summer Rewards Unleashed

×
×
  • Create New...