Technology has an increasingly changing impact on how we live. Digitization is a buzzword. I am embarrassed to admit that I do not welcome digitization with the same excitement as the rest of my family. I sometimes focus on the inconvenience of change rather than the incredible opportunities it creates. However, my family makes sure that I am not left behind.

Home automation

Charl works in technology and gets very excited about new developments. He implemented numerous automation in our house in South Africa and controlled the alarm, security cameras and garage doors from his phone. When he worked away from home, the automation allowed him to check on all the cameras.

Charl was already in Switzerland on the day of Christo’s 18th birthday and party. I turned off the outside camera that night because I was worried that Charl’s heart was not strong enough to watch a house party while adapting to a new job in a new country.

Charl bought a Google Home for our apartment in Switzerland. It plays music and provides the weather forecast on request. However, I get very annoyed when Google Home does not understand my accent and friendly tone of voice. It responds immediately to Zander’s instructions. I informed Charl and Zander that if they ever talk to me in the same instructive manner as with Google Home, I’m packing my suitcase home.

ICS School

The ICS school provides each child with a Chrome book on which they work at school and do homework. The school has licenses for various software that the learners use in different subjects, such as Design and Art. Even the library book lending system is automated. Parents can, therefore, also lend and read books online.

Supermarkets

At supermarkets, the buying and paying process is also automated. Customers must activate a scanner with their card at the store entrance before scanning each item they load into the trolley. After the purchases, they pay at a terminal. It came in quite handy during Covid-19. Staff members occasionally conduct samples on selected customers to keep them honest.

The first time they selected me for a sample was a traumatic experience. With the final scan before payment, large red letters, WARTEN, appeared on the screen. A shop assistant showed up and requested that I unpack my trolley, as she had to scan everything again. I could feel my temperature rise, especially when she pointed out to me that I forgot to scan the barcode of the yoghurt! I left the store without a criminal record but was very embarrassed.

A Blog for My Letters

My friends encouraged me to post my regular letters on ʼn Blog. My fear of technology and social media were the two factors that kept me from doing this for over a year. I had to see it as something new to try and learn.

Certain aspects were intuitive, but others were more challenging to figure out. I regularly wished for someone to sit next to me and help. The online world does not have a phone number or an email address. You rely on online articles written by people who have experienced a similar problem.

The whole experience reminded me of the following:

• In a changing world, new and unknown things and experiences are a given. We must see them as doors that open new worlds.
• It is very satisfying to manage to do something successfully after struggling with it.
• We are part of history and have the privilege of witnessing rapid technological change.
• Everybody needs the support and encouragement of other people to try something new. We must receive it with love and grace and distribute it in abundance.

Regards

Emsia