I'm another "old dog" that has learned new ways. I continue to both read and write books, but the tecnology that allows us to communicate by email and read so much of interest on the web is truly a blessing in many ways, and especially to many of us oldsters. I used to read and write in my pajamas so that hasn't changed with the new technology.

I love the way blogs can equalize out a conversation. I don't think I'd automatically start a conversation about a local issue with someone 20 years older/younger than me, but on here it happens all of the time. I love that, when it works well, there are lots of topics so people can explore all sides of their life, not just one or two.

I love hearing people say with pride that they just picked up the whole email and computer thing during their retirement years and how much they enjoy it. Sure beats listening to the grumpy folks who go on about computers are too hard to learn --- which is utter poppycock --- if you drive a car and learned all about that, you'll figure out a computer in no time. At least this part of it.

And I love seeing that in the end we are all, as a people, much more the same than we are different. but we can still get a good cabal going once in a while .

>^..^<

I'm 70, I've always been an avid letter writer, and postcard and Christmas card sender. But now life is better than ever because I can communicate immediately with most of my friends and family by email.

Every morning I sit down at my computer with my first cup of coffee and respond to my emails. I feel like a Victorian lady dealing with her correspondence. Sometimes my letters are long, but often they are just quick messages to carry a thought that occurred to me, or to see how someone is doing. I also get a lot of my local happening news via the blogs.

The biggest frustration in my life is those of my English friends who have not become computer literate and for whom I actually have to waste time putting something on a piece of paper, buying a stamp and mailing it.

...and the old friends I have revived my friendships with, and the new people I have met online through shared interests...don't get me started.

Anne West

Lori, I agree with both your assessment and "Rules." Another thing I find of great value to blogs is that we get community NEWS almost immediately. I mean, people are always out and about somewhere and if they spot something, they usually post it right away. That's a lot faster than we can get in the newspaper or even on radio or tv! They even post their views of City Council meetings and any other events for people who couldn't attend to get some idea of what went down.

Jim Richards

I have grown very attached to this site.  Don't blog anywhere else but people on this site offer lots of subjects I am interested in and can respond to.  I like the thought that my opinions and ideas are floating out there for someone, somewhere to read and maybe even think about.  I'm not sure political opinions are changed on this blog site.  That happens with a lot of personal thought and usually time passing.  As an example, it took me 20 years to decide the death penalty wasn't deterring crime.

I don't think I will ever give up the newspaper or history books.  I read a lot of the current political books that are written, even the ones with which I disagree.  Which, by the way, is VERY difficult.  Most my friends are "political" and we have animated discussions over the dinner table:  all opinions are welcome but,  Rule one:  no anger, please!  Rule two:  You want to talk, then you also have to listen.  Otherwise we discuss grandkids, the weather, and "how 'bout those Dodgers?"

I would encourage everyone to read as much as possible - and from any and all medias.  Knowledge is a beautiful thing.

I have always enjoyed letterwriting and now I continue to enjoy it but I have to admit it now is in the form of e-mail. However, I do find that things have changed by writing e-mails. My speech is now somewhat less grammatically correct, less even 'formal' you might say and at times my sentences shortened so that I seem to have done away with proper grammatical use of the subjective pronoun for one. It feels more like everyday speech and I am peppering my writing with "LOLs" and other abbreviated forms of expression! This has come about as if almost naturally as I've don't feel I've done it consciously.

But I still strive to keep some of the old style of my writing — I really enjoy expressing myself on various topics as well as sharing everyday news, I just do it more frequently for some reason. I don't know if the computer and the speed of e-mails does this, though why this should be, I'm not sure why! Writing longhand is a chore now! But even before we were hooked up onto the internet I began using the keyboard to write letters, first with a typewriter and then using "Word".

Unfortunately not all my distant friends like to use the computer, the keyboard and the internet even if it exists in their home! Unfortunately (for them?) I do not continue to write them letters to send by post. (To be fair I was the more frequent writer — some of them do not always have the inclination or maybe time to write me back as often). But now I will pick up the phone before I actually send them a letter in the mail! Isnt' that odd? It must be the immediacy of the internet e-mail messaging system that has changed my outlook on writing 'regular' letters now. And posting a blog, like I am doing with this one, indicates my increasing affection for it. I now belong to several different blogging sites.

Sincerely
Shirley Verdone

    When it comes to correspondence, I almost exclusively use the computer.  For someone like me who has an absolute phobia of telephones, email is a godsend!  I can barely speak to my own family on the phone, let alone someone I don't even know.  I blog on here because I like that it concerns local issues.  I can be more involved in my community.  It isn't easy for me to go to meetings and activities because I had a baby four months ago- and it's very difficult to get out of the house with him.  The internet in general allows me to still participate in the outside world.
    I still love books.  Reading one on a computer would drive me insane!  I like to be able to underline and highlight and write in the margins.  And there's just something more pleasant about books.  It would not be comfortable to curl up on the sofa with a computer.  When it comes to information though, it's asinine not to use the internet- I remember how it used to be before the internet, when trying to find the smallest bit of information meant going to the library and searching through the card catalog for a book that was from 50 years ago and had totally outdated information anyway.  However, I'm quite certain that books aren't going to be considered obsolete anytime soon.
   

I was a letter writer at one time but not any more. I use email like most people do but I spend more time on my emails than was spent on most of the ones I receive. I also enjoy blogging and getting involved. When a politician comes to speak, I am in the front row so I can be the frist to stand up and ask questions.

My first impulse to your question was to say that letter writing, as an art, was dying but on second thought I think that email has opened the art of letter writing to more people than ever. Most people that send emails would not bother to take the time to sit down and write a letter with a pen and paper, but email allows them to dash off a note and send it quickly. I'd rather receive a hurried note from someone who means something to me than no letter at all. Letter writing is not a dying art, but an evolving one.

Jeff Wilson

Many thanks for your comment, Lucy. By "activists" I mean more than just blogging because I attend every Council meeting and am very active in politics on the local, state and federal levels. I know many of the other bloggers here by sight and they do the same.

I regularly send e-mails to both Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein. The latter one ALWAYS replies personally using my own words so I know it is not a "canned" reply.

Believe it or not, even the politico's are beginning to get the idea that e-mails (like liquor) is quicker and they are many times INUNDATED with them. A written letter is still a good idea but they are getting fewer and fewer of them and MORE and MORE e-mails so they know the numbers of us are out there and they have to start paying attention. Further advances now allow us to even send video's.

By the way, I still read books and for the very reason you say. However, I download them to my computer and read some with Microsoft Reader. Still others, I download onto my Sony E-Book Reader device which I can take with me anywhere and waste no time while waiting for some one or some thing because .. I can READ in the meantime. I think the new technology is "The Bee's Knee's". Or, "The Cat's Meow". HOT DAMN!

Jim

Jim,
I applaud you for growing with the trend of technology and not only using a computer but communicating with others via the internet. My grandmother likes to use email also, but that is about as far as she goes.

As far as bloggers being more of community activists, I think that statement is too generalizing. Of course some may be but generally, most of the people blogging are just talking about it. An activist takes action which means writing letters, calling authorities on the phone, etc. I don't believe that activism comes through blogging because when a senator (or whoever is the responsible party) receives a written signed letter, I think it holds more weight than an email because there is no actual signature.

Reading printed books is relaxing, I don't think you can get the same effect from reading something online but like you said, it can be printed. Maybe if you find some topics that may be of interest to your friend you could print them for him to read. You may be planting a seed.