Twenty five years back, we were putting computer systems in the bank I used to work for. There were staff opposed to it as they feared loss of jobs. After computerisation, if a customer compained about a processing delay, the favourite response of this group was “Can’t help it sir. You see we are now computerised!”.
Ain’t it the truth. 35 years ago when they kept info on 3×5 cards I got my renewed teacher certificate within 10 days. Now it takes 8 weeks. Glad I am retired.
Oh boy (seems like I’ve been saying that alot this morning on blogs I visit). We use to say everything has gone to the birds or hell in hand basket, now it’s if you ain’t digital you ain’t much.
I was on a couple weeks vacation and while on my travels I went through a little village -just a blip on the map. But the people of this hamlet had come up with a way to differentiate themselves from other blips -they had built themselves a Time Museum but I did not pull over as I was running out of time, so the digital clock on the dash board displayed.
Carl, I’m surprised at how many of my students can’t read an analog clock. They look at them – like the one being carted off in your cartoon – as puzzles they have yet to solve. I know I resisted adopting the metric system — that might change here as well.
Some kids will become adults who don’t know how to tell time, read or acquire interpersonal skills in the digital age. They will eventually become politicians, you know.
I think the bank executives approved that clock (you know, the same ones that dug the hole that required the government to get them out of.) They gave the clock plans the same attention as they did the home loan division. They aren’t detail people, I guess
Oh you better believe they know the details of manipulating and ripping off. They were smart enough that the fine they paid the feds(more dumb) represents one tenth of one per cent of the stolen money.
ha it will keep atleast some of them guessing while they are in queue..
was reading other comments..it is s true kids today have exposure of a different kind..a lot of them have not seen a postman too….
36 responses to ““Keeping Time” by Carl D’Agostino”
Ankur Mithal
August 19th, 2012 at 06:09
Twenty five years back, we were putting computer systems in the bank I used to work for. There were staff opposed to it as they feared loss of jobs. After computerisation, if a customer compained about a processing delay, the favourite response of this group was “Can’t help it sir. You see we are now computerised!”.
Carl D'Agostino
August 19th, 2012 at 08:52
Ain’t it the truth. 35 years ago when they kept info on 3×5 cards I got my renewed teacher certificate within 10 days. Now it takes 8 weeks. Glad I am retired.
Hudson Howl
August 19th, 2012 at 09:35
Oh boy (seems like I’ve been saying that alot this morning on blogs I visit). We use to say everything has gone to the birds or hell in hand basket, now it’s if you ain’t digital you ain’t much.
I was on a couple weeks vacation and while on my travels I went through a little village -just a blip on the map. But the people of this hamlet had come up with a way to differentiate themselves from other blips -they had built themselves a Time Museum but I did not pull over as I was running out of time, so the digital clock on the dash board displayed.
Carl D'Agostino
August 19th, 2012 at 15:21
I have digital clock on dash board but can’t work it . Duh. So it tells the right time half the year and an hour off the other 6 months.
Angelia Sims
August 19th, 2012 at 11:01
Nice upgrade.
Carl D'Agostino
August 19th, 2012 at 15:24
Are you sure?
earthriderjudyberman
August 19th, 2012 at 11:19
Carl, I’m surprised at how many of my students can’t read an analog clock. They look at them – like the one being carted off in your cartoon – as puzzles they have yet to solve. I know I resisted adopting the metric system — that might change here as well.
Carl D'Agostino
August 19th, 2012 at 15:23
They’ve never seen and hand held receiver and phone stand. I am sure they have never gone down to the telegraph office either.
Elliot
August 19th, 2012 at 12:15
It is still easier to read than feet and inches
Carl D'Agostino
August 19th, 2012 at 15:23
…or rods, hands or cubits.
pattisj
August 19th, 2012 at 15:55
Wow, it sure is hot there at the bank!
Carl D'Agostino
August 19th, 2012 at 16:07
130 degrees will make ya sweat.
totsymae1011
August 19th, 2012 at 16:16
Some kids will become adults who don’t know how to tell time, read or acquire interpersonal skills in the digital age. They will eventually become politicians, you know.
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:48
They will retain the ability to be thieves
jannatwrites
August 19th, 2012 at 18:58
I think the bank executives approved that clock (you know, the same ones that dug the hole that required the government to get them out of.) They gave the clock plans the same attention as they did the home loan division. They aren’t detail people, I guess
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:50
Oh you better believe they know the details of manipulating and ripping off. They were smart enough that the fine they paid the feds(more dumb) represents one tenth of one per cent of the stolen money.
Mark Petruska
August 19th, 2012 at 23:36
I’m sure Flavor Flav could always use another necklace.
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:51
You’re right.
monicastangledweb
August 20th, 2012 at 01:18
That’s progress for you!
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:52
Whaddya gonna do ?
Soma Mukherjee
August 20th, 2012 at 01:44
ha it will keep atleast some of them guessing while they are in queue..
was reading other comments..it is s true kids today have exposure of a different kind..a lot of them have not seen a postman too….
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:53
Just because there is new tech does not mean progress has been made.
CMSmith
August 20th, 2012 at 08:30
Yes, but who’s making time?
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:59
….and who’s making money to put in the bank at 20% true unemployment.
The Good Greatsby
August 20th, 2012 at 11:34
Sometimes progress is slow.
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 12:59
…or goes in reverse.
duckofindeed
August 20th, 2012 at 13:29
I don’t see the problem. It’s 82 o’clock FM and 130 degrees Pahrenheit out. So what’s the matter?
Carl D'Agostino
August 20th, 2012 at 14:32
All I know is that it does not work this way on Mars.
Maxi
August 21st, 2012 at 05:48
If the bank didn’t have customers confused before, it sure does now.
Blessings – Maxi
Carl D'Agostino
August 21st, 2012 at 09:01
Oh, doncha just know it.
Katherine G Levine (@KGLevineBooks)
August 21st, 2012 at 14:54
Pinned you on my Blog Hop. Here’s the pin http://pinterest.com/pin/147141112796481687/
A like or comment would be appreciated.
Laughter is good for emotionally healt.
A minor crank, Had a hard time finding where to comment. Prefer blogs that have the comment link at the top.
Carl D'Agostino
August 21st, 2012 at 21:33
Thank you. Could not comment your blog as I do not have twitter or facebook only wordpress password.
blackwatertown
August 22nd, 2012 at 20:04
An eloquent satire on the perils of the “upgrade”.
Carl D'Agostino
August 22nd, 2012 at 20:28
You got it .
Tony McGurk
August 29th, 2012 at 17:03
Gosh it’s 82 deg F already, better run I’m late for work. It’s cold today as it’s only 7:02am at the moment. Guess it will warm up in a few hours
Carl D'Agostino
August 29th, 2012 at 19:31
Numbers and data, numbers and data.