Diving Into the Digital Stone Age: Reflecting on 1985 Without an iPad

If I was alive in 1985, my life would be vastly different from using an iPad today. Back then, the world was in a very different technological era, and the tools and methods people used to conduct research, stay organized, and enjoy leisure activities were quite different. Let's explore what life might have been like, and how we would have approached tasks we take for granted today.

Researching in the Stone Age

Before the advent of sophisticated research tools, doing research meant a trip to the library. Yes, the library, an institution that might be seen as a relic today. Books, microfiche, and the meticulous process of using index cards to catalog research sources were hallmarks of this era. I remember the excitement of discovering a gold mine of information hidden within the index card system, a true treasure hunt in a tech-sparse world.

The Unfamiliar Tactile of Floppy Disks

At this time, computers operated with floppy disks, a technology that seems almost quaint in 2023. I remember the first time I wrote a program and saved it to a floppy disk. A student once folded his disk to put it in his pocket, a testament to the lack of understanding about technology that dominated the era. These disks were not only the storage medium but also the symbol of early personal computing.

Father Figure of Technology: The Typewriter

Typewriters were not just typewriters; they were the backbone of academic and professional writing. I would carry index cards and a notebook to net down my thoughts and notes. Writing a thesis on a typewriter, another form of art, was a tedious yet fulfilling process. The absence of digital autocomplete and spellcheck required a deep understanding of language and keyboarding skills.

Social Life of the 1980s

As a teenager, I often visited my friend Paul Damond, where we'd play Atari. His brother made a fortune through a bootleg VHS business. These were the days when video games and home entertainment were just starting to take off, encapsulating a whole new realm of social interaction and leisure. Unlike today, where social media reigns supreme, the 80s cherished live, in-person interactions.

Entertainment: Television and Music

For entertainment, there was no substitute for television. I can still map out the entire after-school TV schedule for you. In fact, I enjoy reruns of older TV shows even today. I was a massive music lover, and holding a collection of 500 cassettes was a time-honored tradition. I guess I maintain a certain charm in this age of digital downloads, but I still cherish those cassettes, serving as a nostalgic journey through time.

Organizing with a Personal Daybook

Before the advent of PDAs, people carried around small personal daybooks, complete with calendars, address books, and notes. Such personal organizers were not just tools but a part of the daily routine, serving as the lifeline of a highly-organized life. The physical act of writing in these books brought a level of personal satisfaction that you simply cannot replicate in the digital realm. A collection of these books is now a part of my history.

The Rise of the PDA: A Step Forward?

Eventually, the PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) came into play, with PDAs like the PalmPilot and Casio Business Navigator becoming popular. These devices, with their limited battery life and proprietary connectors, were a step towards a more portable and organized life. However, they were not without their limitations and eventually fell out of fashion.

The Monolith: The iPad

Now, we have the iPad, a single device that encompasses so many functionalities – from alarm clock to VoIP phone – all in one. It’s hard to imagine a world without it, but it’s necessary to reflect on how far we have come and how much we take for granted.

Alas, I do not own an iPad and I do not want one. I understand the appeal, but overpriced and closed systems certainly have their drawbacks. In the 1980s, we appreciated the intricate processes that today's technology hides from us. For instance, if you told me "meme," I would ask, “Do you mean 'mimeograph'?”

Daniel, who was born in 1967, reminisces about the days of black-and-white TV, Atari, and the raw, tactile experience of reading. His story is perhaps a poignant reminder of a simpler time when gadgets were novel and technology was a gateway to a new world of possibilities.