Dear LPG,

I know that there is still a way to go but I found some statistics that prove that we older English citizens are catching up with the youngsters when it comes to getting to grips with a computer, though I would love to know just how many of us actually bought our first technological bit of kit ourselves. 

I have never had a job that required me to know how to use one and have to admit that four years ago when my grandniece offered to teach me a bit about it, my first reaction was to tell her that I have managed all of my life so far without one and that I had no need to learn.  She still organised the family and I was given my first laptop as a present.  I don’t think that I would have ever bought one for myself because at the time I reacted like so many older people I know.  It just sat in the box unopened for a while, but I am now very glad that I let her talk me into working out what things can be done electronically.  

I am no expert but I can read the news, find out what is happening in the world and I have learned about the world that Google can offer without you having to leave your house.  There is something really empowering about not having to ask every time you need to know the answer to a question.  My knowledge is still limited and I often have to ask but even then it is good to have some idea of what buttons are being pushed rather than just being provided with an answer.

So I have three proverbs to mention here…

1,

Apparently Lao Tzu discovered in the 4^th Century BC that if you

‘Give a man a fish you feed him for a day teach a man to fish you feed him for life’

(if you are being shown this article because an IT savvy person has let you see it on their smart phone or laptop, or if indeed you have one that you have never used in its box somewhere at home, it’s really worth accepting the help needed to learn just a little about it.)

2, 

The second saying appeared in a book entitled; Old English Homilies’ which, according to one internet site I found, first appeared in the year 1175 offers us…

‘you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink’

(In this case , if you are someone who knows nothing on a subject and fails to at least take the time to listen to a little advice and the slightest  hint of an educational introduction when it is offered you are the horse…)

3,

Though even the internet cannot find the answer to who first said it, this is also very good advice…

‘Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth’

 (If you have been given one, and/or offered some basic tuition about how to use them by a friend or younger family member, don’t leave your computer in the box… have a go!)

RL, Norwood

RL shares some statistics which show that older people are becoming more familiar with computers.

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…and also offers some information about the proverbs she used to illustrate her advice that it is a good idea to at least have a go.

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