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I know quite a few people who are older and who don't use the Internet in any way. My father's sixty-five and is not computer literate, so he's never used a computer or the Internet. He can barely use his cell phone, the DVR, and the CD burner. I used to teach a basic computer applications course and I BEGGED him to take my class, but he refused. My mom and I have both even offered to show him around the computer at home, but you know, I think he feels too intimidated by them. He just doesn't understand computer-related stuff--because he's never been interested in trying, really. Funny little story: I remember about ten years ago, when we were talking about computers in front of him. My mom was mentioning throwing out our old circa-1993 Mac; nobody was using it and it was just collecting dust. My dad was all, "But that computer cost over $1000!" We had to explain to him how these things depreciate VERY quickly and how they're quickly replaced with "better" models and become "worthless" after seven or eight years. What's interesting is that he kind of tries to stay in the know about stuff like Twitter and Facebook--since these are now household terms. When the iPad first came out he was enthusiastic about it, like he wanted one; he watches the news a lot and the tech segments and commercials probably sold him on it. At that moment I realized something about Apple: they can make someone who has never as much as pressed the power button on a computer want an iPad--that's good marketing (and maybe it's intentional). I thought about buying him one, just so he can have one and play around with it. But sometimes I think...mule...spinning wheel?
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