This article originally ran in 2018. With Father’s Day around the corner, it seemed like a good time to bring it back.
It’s a tad ironic that I work for an online electronics store, considering how I was raised. While my mom tried to keep up with the latest technology, my dad was the complete opposite. He just didn’t get technology, even when it could have benefited him. His aversion to all things tech was a source of irritation and friction between him and me.
I turned 10 years old before October 26, 1980. Why is that date important? Because it’s when Pac-Man appeared in arcades, party stores and other businesses across the country. I discovered the game on a school field trip to a roller skating rink. The bright colors, flashing lights, and sense of escape and adventure drew me in. After that day, you could definitely say that I had a bad case of this:
I didn’t even bother to put on a pair of roller skates that day. I spent the whole time – and the money mom gave me – playing Pac-Man. When I got home, I found out that my teachers ratted me out. Mom and Dad weren’t happy about this, either. They lectured me for what felt like an hour. Mom nagged me in her needling voice while Dad bellowed. I have to give the old man credit for creativity, though. As an English teacher, he improved my vocabulary while he chewed me out.
“Those games are frivolous!” Dad shouted. “And it was irresponsible of you to waste your money on them.”
“That’s right!” Mom echoed. “You should’ve been roller skating with the rest of your class.”
If there was one thing my parents didn’t get, it was a basic rule of raising kids. The more parents tell their children they can’t do something, the more kids will want to do that thing. Ever since my ill-fated trip to the roller rink, I would sneak off to the local arcade every chance I got. Part of the excitement was seeing how many games I could play before Dad burst through the door to drag me home.
He was just too old school
My dad was just too old school. That’s what I thought back then. He was born in 1938, and he spent his high school years working on his sister and brother-in-law’s farm. It seemed like my dad’s generation believe that backbreaking labor was the measure of a man. That’s why he described me and my interests as “flighty” and “hare-brained.” He just couldn’t understand why I enjoyed the sense of fantasy that playing arcade games gave me, even though he was the reason I sought that escape.
I remember one time I tried to explain to dad that arcade games – and technology in general – was the future. I don’t know why I said that, other than a gut feeling I had that told me bigger and better things were yet to come. My efforts could only be described as an epic fail. He just scoffed at me, then asked me to pick up the remote control and turn it to his favorite show. I shook my head in disbelief at his inability to recognize that he had just proved my point.
To be fair, the ornery old cuss did recognize the importance of technology in his later years. He would always ask me to look up this or that for him on the internet. He also loved the fact that his favorite movies and shows could be found at the push of a button. Dad still handed Mom the remote control and asked her to do it for him, though. Sadly, Jacob Buckler, Sr. passed away ten years ago. Despite my complaints about him, I really miss the old man. Sure, our relationship was complicated, but he was still my dad and I love him and have come to accept his shortcomings. The funny stories and memories he left me with are the part of his legacy I cherish the most.
Working for an Online Electronics Retailer
While I’m still an avid gamer these days, I’m a total newb when it comes to technology. This became very clear to me when I started to work here at Solid Signal. Being immersed in the fast-paced world of online electronics shopping has taught me a lot about cord-cutting, satellite TV, and so much more. I quite literally learn something new each day, and this adds to my ability to help our customers.
It’s easy to be proud to be part of a company that helps people like my dad. These are the customers who know they need something for their installation, but aren’t sure exactly what that might be. We offer plenty of information and help right here on this blog. Solid Signal’s sales reps are also available by phone to answer questions and make product recommendations.
But, you don’t need to listen to an author like me. You can work directly with the real experts. That’s the best thing about Solid Signal. We have all the greatest folks ready to help you solve whatever problem comes up. Our talented tech team is made up of engineers, consultants, and support professionals. If you want the real answers, you’ll want to talk to them. I know I’ve learned a lot. For example, I’ve learned that you can call Solid Signal at [email protected] or fill out the form below, and that you’ll be glad you did.
I am of your Dad’s generation of the latter 1930’s and have no siblings but my half-blood Cherokee dad was a laborer at an oil refinery (had left his land allotment Oklahoma farm) and my mother was an unskilled clerk/worker but I was initially raised in South East Kansas and then after WWII in the Calumet Industrial Region of North West Indiana. My parents never finished High School but we managed to enjoy what we had available (I campaigned for a B&W TV during my Senior Year). My father simply wanted me to work at a refinery or steel mill but I wanted to be more than an unskilled worker so I opted for College Preparatory courses in High School but had no funds for such so was able to afford a two-year Technical school (“Get Into Electronics”} in Northern Indiana (and was even able to afford building some Heath Kit devices).
I achieved by associate degree in electronics and was hired to join Military Products Division of “Big Blue” on their AN/FSQ-7/8 SAGE massive vacuum tube dual computer system. I eventually earned my B.S.E.E. summa cum laude degree and my M.B.A. and also passed the American Mensa IQ test to qualify for membership! I continue to enjoy cutting edge technology and employ many IoT (Internet of Things) devices so I object to your downplay of the technology interests or abilities of the generation of your Dad!
Not downplaying you or your generation at all. I mainly lampooned my father’s aversion to all things tech, which, at the time, I assumed to be a generation gap. Your tech skills and experience sound rather impressive, though Stuart’s are, too. Perhaps some type of “tech challenge” could solve the debate over who knows more?
I am of the generation of your dad (1936) and I am confident that I excel in technology achievements above and beyond Stuart Sweet as I have achieved my B.S.E.E (summa cum laude), M. B.A. including Microsoft Certifications since I initially only was able to afford an Associate Degree. Do not discount the abilities of his generation!