You must be a young dude.

Seriously, I wonder how I got this way, or if maybe I was like this all along and didn't realize it.

I agree that today's technological benefits and capabilities are outstanding, but why do I feel such resistance in taking the trouble to learn how to exploit them? Reading the instructions isn't really too much to ask, and when pressed, I usually concede the new tech is as well thought out as it can be.

I used to have no trouble, I even enjoyed, picking up computer languages and operating systems, and I took all sorts of science and math courses. But now, the thought of spending several days learning to really take advantage of Google Earth, or even my own antique GPS hand-held seems like a crashing boor. I just don't want to deal with it any more. I always feel like I'm learning an obscure tribal language or ancient tongue which I will never use again, and it's just not worth the effort any more.

I have to get my wife, (who is 6 years older than I am) to help me download and install software, and to program my cable TV after a thunderstorm. I don't even want to deal with all the available features in my drug-dealer-special disposable cell phone, or buy a digital camera because I'll have to learn photography all over again. I used to be a really good photographer. Now I can't take a snapshot without patient instruction. Well, I am a guy who does celestial navigation as a hobby. It's like a soldier training on muzzle-loaders.

I used to really feel smug about how my older professors had to rely on us undergraduates to do the computation to support their research. Now I understand what they were going through, and it's not funny. Back when I read science fiction, I had nothing but contempt for Luddites. I couldn't wait to fly my own spacecraft. Now I'm not so sure.

I haven't figured this out yet, and I don't know whether we all get to this point eventually, or if it's just me. But for you young guys, keep you eyes open for this. It snuck up on me.