I have been thinking quite a lot about technology and I really have come to the conclusion that it brings as many problems as it does helpful issues. I read in the paper the following: “Four Russian nationals and a Ukrainian have been charged with running a sophisticated hacking organization that penetrated computer networks of more than a dozen major American and international corporations over seven years, stealing and selling at least 160 million credit and credit and debit numbers, resulting in losses of hundreds of millions of dollars.” Indictments were announced by U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman called the case the largest hacking and data breach scheme ever prosecuted in the United States There is so much information available on databases and many hackers can access data belonging to others.

It seems that more and more criminals and would be criminals are turning to computers to get not only information from others but being able to actually steal the money from databases. I, for one have always been reluctant to put any personal of financial information on the computer, because we read every day about hackers who are abusing the system and getting rich. If it isn’t money they sometimes hack into secure bases such as the recent NSA scandal and are able to obtain private information not intended for the public. It just seems the more sophisticated the program is, the more hackers are trying to get it.

As I’ve said before, I am a dinosaur. I believe that we have too much private information out there being accessed by those who are going to use it in a negative way. I know that when computers came into play we were told that it be so much easier and faster to provide information. But there is actually more paper than ever and that is one of the things we were told that the world would be paperless, but there is far more than there was before computers.

One of the more serious problems I believe is the access children have to internet, video games and the ability to put all sorts of info on the web, including some rather negative items. Bullying is a serious issue on computers, and many children have been deeply hurt or some have even committed suicide. What a tragic result of having more social media. One of the things I believe is wrong that children very young often have access to computers and they just aren’t ready for them. They lack maturity and reasoning that comes with age. Not every parent uses the best judgment in allowing children access to computers.

Age is a particular issue that parents need to be honest about and not allow young children to have cell phones, have access to the internet, or use the tools without supervision. Children do not realize that predators can track them down even from a zip code. Because children believe they are anonymous, they often put too much information about themselves on the tube. No one needs to know all of what they are telling and it can be a very dangerous, scary and ill advised.

I have heard the some colleges and universities are offering socialization classes because the students interact with each other primarily with texting and social media. I have also seen students who sit at the same table and text but do not interact socially. I think that is a sad commentary on today’s world.

I remember when internet first came into being and they thought it was the answer to many problems, but I believe it’s created new problems. It would be good if all parents were responsible and aware of what’s transpiring, but unfortunately they are not and it is the children who get caught in bad situations.

I’ve been reading quite a lot this month and ignoring the housework as I so often do. And we had a book sale at our church last weekend, and I picked up many books. I read one over the weekend by Judith Michael which was 820 pages. It turns out that it is a husband and wife team, and I found that very interesting. It was a well-written story with an interesting plot which I imagine is rather hard for two people to be involved in. It took me a little longer to read. Usually I can finish a book in two days, but this one took me three. That’s just in my spare time when I’m not working, having coffee with Jason (who is doing well, hasn’t been in the hospital for weeks, and is going to be fitted for a shoe on his foot which is missing a big toe) or just goofing around. I’ll have lots of reading for the next six weeks. Enjoy the sun after the cold mornings.