COMPUTEREASE...

Last night I was looking at a rerun of Law & Order when a commercial came on from the law offices of McBride & Collier. It made me giggle a little when they flashed across the screen that you could now electronically file for bankruptcy. I mean, I know about E-filing your taxes, but this seemed kinda funny to me.

So I looked at McBride & Colliers' computer page, and sure enough you can do it. They got a deal there where you fill in all your information, debts, and on and on. Then I guess you submit it up and pay 'em (with your one credit card that's not maxed-out I assume) and they'll handle it.

It made me think about how much we do now on the computer, and how quickly it has all come about. It also made me think about how I poo-pooed my brother-in-law about 20 years ago when he told me to invest in Microsoft...but that's another story.

We buy things, learn things, sell things, communicate with folks, and on and on. It occurred to me that the computer really can make unpleasant tasks much less unpleasant. If you don't have to face somebody face to face, or even talk to them on the phone to do something you really don't want to do, it's a whole lot easier.

I know for sure that people will put something up on the computer that they wouldn't ever say to somebodys' face. You hear about couples that break up by computer letter, or text message even. I've been told-off by computer letter from folks that I know wouldn't have the nerve to do it to my face. And to my shame, I've written a computer letter or two that I ain't proud of...but that's another story.

I reckon if somebody was going bankrupt, the electronic filing route might cushion the blow for them. It's a tough time in somebodys' life, and not having to look somebody right in the eye might make it less trying. But does it serve the person well? Don't know.

Breaking up with a gal or fellow used to be done face to face, or at least on the phone. Thinking about it, it sure would have been alot easier for me as a teenager if gals had that option. But I think that "breaking up" is one of those skills that girls need to learn...learn how to gently let me down. Of course I never had to learn it myself, having been on the receiving end of every break-up. Heck, I got broke up with twice in one day once...but that's another story.

I wouldn't want to do without a computer now. Heck, I could...have before, and the day might come when we have to again. I wonder if the computer has made our life too easy. I wonder if it has robbed us of some valuable "human-ness." Just a rambling thought.