Fighting Obsolescence

I fight a persistent enemy almost every day: obsolescence.

Taking the form of 50 to 60 floppy disks I've saved for a dozen-plus years, this old nemesis recently thumped me again.

Computer types know the faithful, friendly floppy disk. Small enough to slip into a shirt pocket, the 3.5-inch marvel sprang to popularity with the Apple Macintosh computer in 1984.

But in two brief decades, the floppy disk has lost its relevance. Neither of my two newest computers even has the ability to use one. The floppy disk teeters on the brink of obsolescence.

Nevertheless, I've kept a box of old disks for insurance--just in case I'd ever need the information stored on one of them.

The unlikely happened. Desiring to reclaim some lost Bible study lessons, I expected my forethought to pay off. But first I had to locate a 15-year-old computer--one that actually worked--that could actually read the ancient disks.

A couple of days of struggle failed to resurrect the missing lessons. Then with a shrug of undeniable resignation, I tossed the disks into the trash. Obsolescence had beaten me.

Sometimes disguised as flea markets, graveyards of obsolescence dot the highways. At one we visited on Saturday, I noticed a carton of 8-track tapes and a Smith-Corona typewriter with a 30-inch carriage languishing among cobwebs. Obsolete.

Obsolescence makes personal attacks, too.

Technical skills that were moderately sharp just two years ago now fade through disuse. I can hardly converse with former co-workers because we speak different languages.

A friend can't get ring tones installed on her new wireless phone. Can I help? I plead ignorance.

Resisting the need to dig through an undecipherable instruction manual, another friend assumes I can quickly configure his new digital camera without doing the same. I hedge.

The world's a hostile place to those who can't keep up with technology. Is there hope for avoiding obsolescence?

No. It will eventually win. But obsolete and useless aren't the same.

A father calls to describe a complicated family issue. Can I offer any advice? I patiently listen and empathize--then suggest a simple opinion forged through mistakes of my own. He is grateful to have someone hear him out.

A faithful reader of the Southwest Times Record, Marcella Rauch, frequently shares her wealth of life experiences and literary tidbits with me through interesting handwritten letters and clipped articles. I'm always slow in thanking her... so I do it now.

Mickey Cox is never too busy to help me solve a home repair problem.

Former supervisors--Steve Strickland, Jim Herden, Rod Gilbreath and Drew Frits--always set aside important work to hear my concerns.

Time to listen, time to empathize, time to share, time to help, time to thank. Never obsolete, but always useful.

Obsolescence drives at a furious pace, but usefulness creeps along... just at the speed of human need.

Copyright 2004 James McAlister

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