We are simply not at the races compared to the US when it comes to simple, everyday integration of technology.
I am currently on the road in Utah. At every two-bit motel and gas station, there is free wi-fi. It is regarded as a feature to please patrons and to entice custom.
Old men and ladies working in these one-horse towns are completely au fait with the technology available. They show no signs of technophobia or pride in "the old ways". Heartland Americans, it seems, are far more modern than we are. Even Mormons (Utah is the centre of Mormonism). Even Bush-voters.
Many of those who are likely to read this probably know this already. The Irish technology community (and especially those on Twitter) ape American ways and means whenever they can, whether it's the language ('dumb', 'do the math', 'sucks' and a myriad of other copycat terms) or work practices ('intern' etc). Distilled, this is a huge compliment. It is Irish people trying to latch on to a philosophy of doing things that is very different from the traditional Irish approach.
It is a 'can do' attitude, which is a basic part of the American psyche. Americans are always, always looking for ways to do things, to fix things. We, on the other hand, tend to wallow in why things aren't possible.
If you are a wallower and you're looking for an alternative modus operandi, come to Utah. Or any US state.
Let's not go mad. I tried to use my credit card in New York three years ago and they requested my passport because they were unfamiliar with chip and pin technology. Perhaps they have caught up.
Posted by: Jason O'Mahony | April 01, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Let's not go mad. I tried to use my credit card in New York three years ago and they requested my passport because they were unfamiliar with chip and pin technology. Perhaps they have caught up.
Posted by: aion kinah buy | June 16, 2009 at 08:02 AM