An increase in technology does not necessarily mean an increase in productivity.
Some suggest that evidence is mounting that the same technology tools that lead to an increase in productivity can be counterproductive if overused. To me, the living proof of this is my computer on my desk. In the early 1990's I was persuaded to put a computer on my desk. For those who remember and want a laugh, it was a IBM Aptiva 330.
I remember seeing or trying this first computer which was mostly a pudgy DOS operating system. I would look at this screen staring at it while these little green things would look back at me and I would opt to write and have it typed or type if for myself - documents that is.
I gave up on but then came Windows 3.1., and well this was something. Not many were much on computers with the exception of a few but how things started to change.
I had upgraded to a 486 that I had the brilliant idea of using the word processor to type stuff. The technology along with my skill kept evolving through the 90's into the 21st century with Windows upgrades, 95,98,2000, XP, plus ever-faster Pentium processors and bigger hard drives and more RAM. I found myself in the early 2000's communicating more and more with this wonderful new thing called electronic mail, email for short. And THAT'S when I believe the Productivity Paradox perhaps started to rear its ugly head. Or maybe not as there is no doubt that I find that not only am I but everyone around me and people from so many areas are all for that super fast, multi gigabyte memory machine and its 22 (or is it 24?) inch high resolution widescreen monitor on which I read dozens upon dozens of daily emails that expect well thought out replies which come by way of email. In that "a s a p" manner.
Now, was I really more productive back in the 1990's? I can't say I am certain. But wow how did I get by back before this computer era. We can't go back in time but I find that either office or not I find that yeah I am within this computer productivity paradox.
The greatest thing it's fast!
... some laughs* there eh!
ReplyDeleteCertainly computers helps in our mobility. Letters came in seconds, memo produced and responded quickly in a matter of seconds too. But it has downers too as sometimes e-mails are used to tranfer news and the likes faster without checking that at times it produces different meanings to concerned persons. And at times productivity lessens for employees spend time e-mailings and yep, using it on facebooking and what is still there to communicate.
Anyways it is fun.
I have found that for every 1 problem man solves, he creates several more. I still love e-mail and blogging though.
ReplyDeleteI find it is difficult staying ahead so it is better to just go with the flow.lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that I never used Windows Vista. Ive heard nothing but problems from people using that particular operating system. Certainly seems like a backwards step there!
ReplyDeleteSort of like vacuum cleaners and wall-to-wall carpet, designed to keep the housewife from having to lug rugs to the clothes line and beat them -- or having a dryer instead of hanging out clothes. I'd trade some of my 'free' time to be outside, and to have the fresh smell of sunshine on my sheets. Then, reality sets in and hanging in the rain or freezing ice storms gives us food for thought. Always, 'before' was better than 'now.'
ReplyDeleteYou have too! I thought this was something that I would place on !
ReplyDeleteI am in a pardox and whom isnt. Yet I got more done before my Ibm Aptiva :)
Susan satire is great. My grandmother used to say that cars and television were going to ruin the world.
ReplyDeleteShe passed on back in 1981 and was from my mothers side. Yeah she was Hungarian with a tad of Italian but
seemingly she was like Mother Ship....I think me and my brother and one friend thought of here as Grandma
and Mother talky talky. Yet....... :)
Ericka last night I much was done this was satire nothing more. Yet I still have this first computer and oh man
ReplyDeleteI thought it was something as at that time I was ahead of most here. But before that I never thought of a computer.
For me as I am not old nor young - I would type out everything and then leave it to assistants to fix up.
Then we just sent things back then by way of Novelle groupwise...hmmm are they still around.
Mind you I loved to type and then send by way of a manual fax : )
Vista.....I run from vista Pat. :)
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ReplyDeleteHave they come up with something where you can push a button and winter changes into summer? Just kidding :)
the personal computer has changed everyday lives for so many people, never would I have dreamed that I would one day pay my bills through my computer and be able to send mail and chat in real time with people from all over the world! I am lost without my computer now!
ReplyDeleteHi there Suzy I think we could I do think we could get by but it would be a adaptation to say the least now. :)
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