I bought my digital camera a few years ago, after hanging on to my little Instamatic for years. The thought of lugging my film to the drug store and waiting for my prints to be developed now seems so...1950! Digital photography really does make easy sharing so much faster and easier!
I started thinking about why I so resistant to change for so long. And then I read an article that really brought it home for me. I was surprised to learn that over 75% of American households now have access to the Internet. That's about 200 million people. Pretty impressive, right? Well, actually, not really. Because when you think about it, there's a more telling stat that rarely gets mentioned.
More than 70 million of us do not have access to the Internet yet.
Now why is that? The number one reason, of course, is price. I can understand that. Computers are an expense, especially when you factor in the monthly cost for high-speed internet access. But there's another underlying cause that's really fascinating.
The general population has always been slow to adopt new technology, especially older people. The under 30 crowd truly embraces new technology -- it's a part of their life. That's why they're so adept at it. But older people tend to stick with what's familiar.
But I'm here to tell you if you just give easy sharing a try, you'll never stuff your favorite memories into a flimsy paper envelope or shoebox.
Besides, it's so much more fun to send your photos off via the Internet. In the blink of an eye, you can send your kids' photos to friends across the country. And with some of these great new online easy sharing services, you can even add your own spoken words to each photo. How great is that? If you really want to make each memory even more precious, add a few sincere comments from the heart and I guarantee you'll
really connect with friends or loved ones in a way you never dreamed possible.
It certainly was a great icebreaker for me. I haven't spoken to my old college roommate in about 10 years. We were so close and we just sort of lost touch. I felt terrible, but somehow I couldn't manage to pick up the phone. So I emailed him a few pictures of me at my 40th birthday party! Much to my surprise, he replied.
Now we stay in touch more often. We email photos back and forth, add some funny commentary that has us laughing for hours. You know, it just wouldn't have been the same if I mailed those photos to him.
For everyone who says technology is pushing us apart, I say it's just the opposite. Technology is actually bringing us closer together. So if you have a child who's away at school, or parents who you rarely get to see, or even a long lost friend . . . reach out and touch them. Easy sharing can work wonders!
