Copyright Jean L. Hays
“Some age gracefully — constantly learning and adapting — while other are left as rusting debris on deserted parking lots; waiting for renewal that will never come. Some find new careers late in life and are valued for their contributions to society, while others are discarded as a burden to the nation.”
“You’re saying, it’s time to learn that computer thing?”
Marvin stirred his coffee — sighing; Edna raised her left eyebrow — smirking.
“I was talking about those old cars; but you’re right; I think you might might be on your way to becoming another road-kill on the information superhighway
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After one week of absence I’m back with a story of 100 words. I hope it makes sense, it’s about the symbolism of the two cars.
Friday Fictioneers is a group of blogger writing a story of 100 words to the same story. Head over to our chauffeur Rochelle for more info and join the fun.
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November 5 2014
“roadkill on the information super highway” – beautiful concept. Good one Bjorn.
Ha. I think there are few of us in the world of blogging…
Dear Bjorn,
I’m a dead skunk in the middle of the information super highway so your story really resonated with me. There is also a warning contained in your piece which I intend to heed. I will grow and adapt to the very end..when the bus runs me over. Good job this week.
Aloha,
Doug
Sometimes I find myself there as well.. lost in all directions.. But learning and adopting might still be possible.
Bjorn, Good, humorous, and timely story. I have friends who still don’t use a computer. I was fortunate to have had a couple jobs where I used computer programs all the time. My son taught me how to do email and find my way around the internet. I think learning new things keeps your mind healthier. Well written. 🙂 — Suzanne
Thank you.. I think that many bloggers relate to how fortunate we are..
Great piece 🙂
Thanks 🙂
Keep growing and adapting. A good message Bjorn, and a nice story.
Claire
Yes I hope I can continue to grow..
Still cringe when I hear no computer. :-8
If my 80++++Dad can learn as he says anyone can.
Good Story. About cars! But humanity:
Can we ever just value a life for a life without putting
some invisible set of standards for all to bear. I think
we all bear enough just living! Just saying…But
I really liked your write and have been know to veer
without caution into lots with car shows as I travel!
I think given the choice of adopting or die… we have to adopt.. but it’s a little sad too.. and maybe there’s joy in rust too…
“that computer thing”. That says it all. It’s never too late to learn, but roadkill might be just about right in this case. Click on just one banner ad, and bam! 🙂
even the adopters die.. just a different kind of death..
this also says a lot about people. If we don’t continue to grow, we die. Nice!
Yup.. we might do that..
I dunno, I find myself looking at the adopter in the picture with almost as much dismay as the ruster! Clever take though “That computer thing” totally sums up her stance
I think I agree.. would be nice if there was a middle way somewhere… 🙂
The symbolism comes through perfectly, Bjorn. And your main character reminds me of a TV commercial about 10 years ago, which was trying to get the public to move in the direction of more Internet use. It centered around a man who was the most senior of employees at a company that had switched to all computerized communication. He finally took the plunge, but it was a hard-fought battle. He could have been the character in this story.
I think many have done the move.. but there are many left.. and life is becoming harder for them
I sometimes reject learning anything new (does it it ever end??). I know I shouldn’t be like this, it’s just lazy and a desire to be complacent. Thanks for the reminder. Ugh.
I think we need to make a choice.. we cannot forever try to upgrade our Edsel’s
Ha! Good point!
I’m totally with Doug about this. You send a good warning out to those of us who dig in their heals and go ever-so-slowly onto the superhighway. Alicia
I think many of us here are doing ok.. there are others that cringe at that computer thing.
ha. sounds like my gramma…she has yet to figure out the internet….smiles…i wonder to what point we can upgrade before it starts to get scary…
I think we still flow along.. there will come a point though..
I want that car with the loader bucket and backhoe!
But no matter the bling, it’s still an Edsel.
Dear Björn,
I’ve always been of the mindset that when you’re too old to learn it’s time to close the coffin lid. You illustrated my beliefs well. A wonderful life lesson disguised as two cars. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
But we also have to choose what to learn.. 🙂
Great parallel between the cars and people stuck in neutral! It’s never too late, although I think it might be a little too late for anyone who still refers to it as “that computer thing.”
I think that’s difficult — yes
Hahahahaha!
Loved it —!
One year I was given the (unenviable) task of teaching basic computer skills to people who wanted nothing to do with computers …. this post reminded me of them!
ha.. yes I remember a friend of mine doing that.. and one lady fell of the chair because no-one had told her that she could lift the mouse instead of having it far away to the right
Oh dear… It must have been an interesting group of students….!!!
…have you been listening into my parents conversations?
I could swear this was them talking.
Cheers
KT
I can guess that there might be such discussions ongoing … hmm.. wonder if I might have heard something similar at one point.
I like Marvin’s rather pompous way of speaking, making his point with a quote! And I’ll have to remember the phrase “road-kill on the information superhighway” – very good.
I think Edna was the pompous one.. .Marvin is the roadkill… hmm wonder how that didn’t come across.
Sorry – I re-read it and that makes more sense. My fault 😦
Na.. I think it could have be clearer.. I just wanted to avoid he says and she says ping-pong—
Nice one, reminds me of my mom. She would try to change a TV program with a phone and pick up a remote and yell “Hello!” Sometimes it was funny, other times frustrating.
Ouch.. my mother is even worse.. she can only answer the phone.. not call or use a remote.
Well done – you managed the vehicle / people analogy that eluded me. Did you mean adopted or adapted? Just asking 🙂
Of course i meant adapting .. my mistake..
Symbolism done right!
Thank you 🙂
I have no problems with computers.
It’s those darn Chinese instruction manuals that roadkill me.
Thanks for your story. Randy
Wonderful, Björn! I like the metaphor and the way the story all came around on itself. Very well done.
*in the final paragraph, I think it should be becomING.
ah,. yes that was a tricky one.. you are most likely right.. I update.
“road-kill on the information superhighway” … After I stopped laughing, I don’t know how to top that comment. It was great. Another good story with good message..
I used to wonder what could be better than my IBM Selectric typewriter. I like computers but… Last year I purchased an old used Royal manual typewriter because some days I like to take things slow.
“road-kill on the information superhighway” … has me chuckling. Way too much information out there and pressure.
Ellespeth
one week absence! shame on you:) i’ve been gone 3 months and offer no apologies or even explanation. would anyone believe i was held in a Turkish prison and recently escaped by shoving the sodomizing prison guard’s skull into a coat hook. no. wait. i think that was a movie. my bad:) lovely 100 words as usual.
I was just better then to escape my prison 🙂 Thanks for your visit.
Hahaha! 😀 Yeah … try to get my dad to learn how to work his computer (which only my mom uses for only e-mail) if at ALL. Nailed it, Bjorn!
Great metaphor there. Beautifully expressed.
Dear Bjorn, I agree with Patrick (above) This is a great story and love the way you told it! Have a great week! Nan 🙂
Great correlation between the cars and the characters and lovely moral.
Kudo’s
Resonates with me. As a member of the information technology industry the reality of it is all about continuous improvement. This years Ferrari can be next years Edsel. Adapt or perish on the information superhighway.
Yup. Anyone who isn’t getting up to date with computers will end up like a discarded old car.
My favorite part is your ending this week, Bjorn: “another road-kill on the information superhighway.” The necessity to keep up with technology can seem like a death knell to some, but those who grit their teeth and learn even the difficult new platforms often are rewarded in ways they would never have imagined. Friendships from around the world have been some of the greatest rewards for me. Thanks for the reflection this week, my new friend.
All my best,
Marie Gail
But is the information superhighway really necessary to everyone? Surely there is room in the world for a repaired car that hasn’t turned itself into a monster.
Then again, you don’t see me logging off.
A very enjoyable and thought-provoking story and I too love the ‘roadkill’ image. Brilliant.
I love your story! I’ve been feeling like roadkill lately. Your story sort of snapped me out of it. 🙂
Lily
Wow! This story is beautifully told, and ends very satisfyingly. My favorite line includes these words: ” … while other are left as rusting debris on deserted parking lots; waiting for renewal that will never come.”