Now and then

Our generation can do the do-it-yourselfer things.  Our fathers could fix anything and did all but the most difficult house improvements, and our grandfathers and before them could improvise and make stuff.  Our sons have and will have their little Black and Decker drills and some screwdrivers, and might use a paintbrush now and then but that's it. 

Our mothers knew how to cook, and our grandmothers and before them knew how to cook and create from scratch.  Our daughters need and will need detailed recipes and just the right ingredients, but more commonly will heat and serve.

On the other hand, I remember that my grandfather, who had a doctorate in genetics, seemed never to be able to master the nuances of a microwave.  I'm pretty certain he could master this machine, but saw no reason to clutter his life with unnecessary technology.  And that is the conundrum for older folks.  It's hard enough to learn something new, but does that new thing perform better enough to justify the additional learning? 

For young folks, growing up in the age of technology, the learning curve is not so steep.  So as they lose the ability to make and build, they are becoming masters of technology.  The trick is knowing when the technology is needed, and what is lost when using technology. Do we really need a calculator function on a computer?