Of culture and technology

Paul was 62 when he enrolled for computer training at the local church. He was the only student aged over 30. The story of the 62 year old computer student made the village laugh.

Laugh because computer lessons are considered to belong to the younger generation. Two months after training, Paul bought a computer and rented a room in the local trading center. As the town appreciated computers and sought professional services, they turned to him. Six months after, the whole village appreciated his wisdom in taking the lesson. In the rural areas, computers are considered a youth affair because once they take the lessons, they leave for better jobs in the city. Atleast with the older people get to stick in the community and show what tech has to offer.

While the issue may be rooted in the rural-urban divide, it has something to do with culture, where the older people were presumed to be all knoledgeable and were not expected to go back to class.

Culture also dictated that the young people can not teach the old, they are there to be seen and to listen. It is also argued that the youth are the "leaders of tomorrow" not today, so they have to wait for their turn.

Indeed, school headteachers are known to dread computers, especially when the students seem to know more. Can you imagine, a teacher who is expected to be a know it all, being challenged by the students, who may have more experience with computers. This was the reason given by one head teacher, who was not ashamed that he has a computer in his office that he does not use.

But the fiber optic cable will bring home cheaper internet and will challenge some of the cultural practices widely held.

It is expected that the old and the young will join hands in learning new forms of technology that will advance the country. More so, the youth will now teach the older people how to use the technology.

Technology will shape the culture positively and negatively in some aspects.