Technophobia
by Katherine Bilsborough
Technophobia – What?
Technophobe: Someone who does not like, trust, or want to use technology, especially computers. (Macmillan English Dictionary)
Technophobia is not a new term and technophobes have existed since the Industrial Revolution and probably for a lot longer in some shape or form. Today we are living in the Age of Technology. Things that were once deemed Science Fiction are becoming a reality. We either accept these changes and move with the times or we resist and become technophobes.
Technophobia - Why?
The reality is much simpler than saying that technophobes fear technological advance. Technophobes are anxious because the environment in which they live and work is changing. Most phobias are expressed by a strong physical reaction. People who are claustrophobic suffer palpitations and anxiety attacks when they are enclosed in a small area. An agarophobic suffers in a similar way if they are exposed to the great outdoors. Technophobes, on the other hand, experience milder symptoms. They suffer feelings of self doubt and anxiety. They often feel insecure and obsolete. Some worry that they will lose their job because they cannot keep up with the times. In more extreme cases, technophobes convince themselves that technology will take over the world or that humans will be controlled by computers and robots. At other times they are afraid that if they press the wrong button on their keyboard, the computer will explode.
Technophobia - Who?
In most cases technophobes belong to older generations who were not brought up playing with computer games and mobile phones. They have never sent a text message or heard of an i-pod. Not only do they not possess a DVD, they still have not worked out how to use their VHS. These examples seem to validate the old saying; “You can’t teach a dog old tricks”. It is understandable that technophobia exists. Experts in the field of technology are becoming younger and younger. Being taught by somebody who is young enough to be your grandson goes against the laws of nature. Traditionally information and knowledge has been passed down from older generations to younger generations. Young people were taught to respect their elders in part because of the knowledge they possess. If this system is turned upside down, then what happens to the respect for our elders?
Technophobia - The answer
If ignorance is, in most cases, the cause of technophobia, then it follows that knowledge and learning is the way to rectify the situation. What technophobes need is information. Simple computer classes often prove highly successful, especially where the student groups are made up of peer groups; like-minded people of a similar age who are willing to learn but who have no desire to be patronised by fellow students who are twenty years younger and possibly quicker on the up-take. It is equally important that groups of technophobes who have decided “to give it a go” have an appropriate teacher; somebody as similar as possible as themselves in age. Somebody who will send out a message that says “If I can do it, then so can you”.
Do you think that technology is changing too fast? Why? Why not? Do you ever find that you are expected to know more about technology than you do?

技术恐惧症

作者：Katherine Bilsborough

什么是技术恐惧症？

技术恐惧症患者是指那些不喜好，不信任或者不想使用技术，尤其是电脑的人。（麦克米伦词典）
技术恐惧症并不是一个新词，而技术恐惧症患者兹工业革命以来就已存在，或许时间更长，只是表现形式不同而已。如今我们身处科技时代，一些以前我们只是认为在科幻小说中出现的东西现在也成为现实。我们抑或接受这些变化与时俱进，抑或抗拒它们，成为技术恐惧症患者。

为什么会患技术恐惧症？

现实情况远比说技术恐惧症患者害怕科技进步要简单的多。由于这些患者所处的居住和工作环境在发生变化，他们处于焦虑之中。大多数的恐惧症都有明显的行为表现。当幽闭症患者在一个封闭的狭小空间时，就会为心悸和焦虑所苦。广场恐惧症患者在室外时会有相似的症状。而技术恐惧症患者的症状则很轻。他们只是感觉疑惑和焦虑。他们经常感觉不安全，不合时宜。有些人担心会失业因为他们跟不上时代。最极端的情况是，患者自认为技术将会统治世界，人类将被电脑和机器人控制。其他时候，他们害怕如果他们按错键，电脑就会爆炸。

哪些人是技术恐惧症患者？

大多数情况下，这些患者是老一代人或者是成长过程中没有玩过电脑游戏和手机的人。他们从没有发过短信或者听说过i-pod。他们没有DVD机，更没有弄懂怎么用家用录像系统。这些例子似乎印证了这句古话：老狗学不了新把戏。

技术恐惧症的存在也情有可原。技术领域的专家越来越年轻化，让一个年轻的足以作你的孙子的人来教你也有悖于自然法则，因为从传统上讲，都是由老一辈的人把知识和信息传授给年轻一代的。我们教育年轻一代要尊重长辈部分原因也是由于他们拥有的知识。如果这个体系颠倒了过来，那么尊敬师长又会怎样呢？It is


技术恐惧症的解决办法

大多数情况下，技术恐惧症的病因是无知造成的，那么顺理成章的，改变这种情况的办法就是掌握知识和学习了。技术恐惧症患者需要的是信息。事实证明，简单的电脑课程是非常成功的解决办法。特别是那些年纪相仿的学生群体；年龄相仿、看法相似的人愿意学习，但是却不愿意和那些比他们年轻20岁、领悟力更强的人在一起。同样重要的是那些决定尝试以下的患者们要有一个合适的老师；尽可能年纪与他们相仿。这个人能向他们传递这样的信息，“我能，你也能。”

你认为技术变化太快了吗？为什么？为什么不？你是否发现你希望知道更多的技术知识？


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