How Dependent on Technology Are You Compared to Other People Your Age?

Mark Lichtenstein

Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

There have been enormous changes over the past decades when it comes to technology, so how old you are has a lot to do with how much you need it.

Back in the day, people actually weren't sure if messing around with computers was worth it, and they took pride in being able to do things themselves. Are you old enough to remember using a map? If you aren't, believe it or not, people used to actually use a map to find out how to get somewhere in their car, instead of just looking it up on their phone, and people had to learn how to spell, instead of just using spellcheck.

Believe it or not, instead of emailing and texting, people used to write letters and call each other on the phone. A lot of people simply wouldn't be able to get by without the technology of today; if you took them away from their phones or computers for a few days, they would totally freak right out.

You aren't one of those people though, right? You have it all going on, you are tough and resilient, and you don't need all of those silly apps, laptops, tablets, and smartphones to get through the day. Or do you? Take this quiz to find out if you rule technology, or if it rules you.

How often do you get a new smartphone?

Never

When it breaks
Every other year

Whenever a new one comes out

How much time do you spend streaming?

You mean standing in a stream?

A bit
Tons, Hulu, Netflix, you name it

I'm streaming all the time, on my phone, tablet, computer, TV, work computer...

How much time do you spend on Facebook every day?

None

I check in for five minutes.
I check a couple times.

I'm always logged into Facebook.

Do you jot things down in a notebook or on your phone?

I use a stone tablet.

I use a notepad.
I use a notepad, but I take photos of the pages in my phone.

I only use my phone.

Do you actually use the word "hashtag" when you speak?

No

Oh my God. Do people do that?
I have to admit, I did it once, but it was a joke.

Hashtag yeah!

Do you ever find yourself saying "LOL" instead of just laughing like a normal human being?

No!

I caught myself doing it once and chastised myself.
Okay, I did it a couple times, but I'm not proud.

LOL what kind of question is that?

What kind of pen do you favor?

A pencil!

A fountain pen
Space pen

A stylus

Do you keep paper bank records?

Of course I do, going back decades.

I keep the important stuff.
I keep bank records, etc. on paper in storage.

No! Paperless FTW!

Do you own any amount of a cryptocurrency?

I keep gold in the floorboards of my home.

I have a lot of T-bills.
No, I have a portfolio.

Yeah! Bitcoins, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bingbong, Fingleswatch, you name it!

Do you know the difference between different kinds of notebooks?

No, and I don't care.

I know what notebooks cause feathering in ink.
I know which ones I like.

No, I don't use them.

Do you ever find yourself complaining about cheap paper?

No, I like cheap paper.

Yes, all the time
Sometimes, if I'm using an odd pen.

No, just paper in general

Do you know how to read an analog clock?

Of course I do.

Yes, I hate digital clocks.
I wear an analog watch, but I do look at my phone for the time sometimes.

No

Do you know how to read a sun dial?

Yes, I do.

I learned when I was a boy scout.
I think I can remember how to do it.

I'll check with Siri.

Do you understand Roman numerals?

It's all I understand.

I've understood them since MCMLXXIX.
Up to a point

No

How long can you go without checking your phone?

Years

Days
Hours

Seco-wait, I was just checking my phone. Seconds. That's it.

How many books do you read per year?

Dozens and dozens

About 20
A dozen or so

None

Do you find you read physical books or e-books?

What is an e-book?

I read only paper books.
I use paper books for most things, but I like e-books for technical diagrams, heavy books, etc.

I only use e-books.

Do you know how to adjust the volume on your TV without a remote?

I don't own a TV.

Yeah, I read the manual.
I figured it out.

Wait, you can do that?!

When you throw a party, do you send physical RSVPs, or do you just send out a Facebook invite?

I ask people face to face.

I send out beautifully engraved paper RSVP cards.
I send paper RSVP cards, but I have people respond by email.

I send Facebook invites.

Can you use a map and compass?

I don't need them since I can navigate by the smell of the air and the stars in the sky!

Yes, I can do that.
I think I can remember how to do that well, depending on the compass and if I'm expected to use a map that shows elevation.

What? No!

Do you know how to drive a manual car?

Yes, and a horse-drawn carriage

Yes, that's all I drive.
I know how to do that.

What's that?

Can you find out how to do something using a library, or must you use the internet?

I knew Melvil Dewey personally.

Yes, I can do it, without help.
I might have to ask a little advice from the librarian, but that's all.

They still have libraries?

Do you know how to tune a radio?

I know how to build a radio.

I can even tune a shortwave radio.
Yes, I can tune a radio, even if it is broken.

I only use internet radio.

Do you know how to get the weather without using the internet?

I can feel it in my knee.

I have a barometer and thermometer in my house.
I can get it on my scanner by tuning to the WX frequency.

Nope

Could you reserve movie tickets without the internet?

I'd just go to the theater, assuming I ever went to see movies.

I'd just swing by the ticket agent the day before.
I'd call one of the reservation phone lines, like 777Film.

No, I have no idea how to do that.

Could you get through a work day without instant messaging people?

I don't even like people.

I don't use that unless there's no other route for communication.
Mostly

No way! I PWN IMing!

Do you ever find yourself deliberately leaving your phone at home?

I burned it in a bonfire last year.

Frequently, when I want to unplug.
Not frequently, but I do it.

No, I would implant it in my body if only I didn't replace it so often.

Do you feel affronted when someone calls you on the phone?

I would if I owned a phone.

No, I like phone calls.
I prefer phone calls for some things since you can say more, quickly on the phone than by text.

Yes! I wish I could uninstall the phone app from my phone.

Do you feel slighted when someone doesn't immediately respond to your texts?

No, because I do not text.

No, they can take their time.
If I say it is time sensitive, I do feel that way.

Yes, I always feel that way. It takes a second!

Do you have a name for your phone?

No

Just the brand name
No name, but I think it has a personality.

Yes, it's Andi.

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