UPDATED OR OUTDATED

Two notices arrived the same day.  One was from WordPress the other from Apple.

The WP email said this:  “We just updated your site with the latest version of WordPress, 5.6.1. WordPress software is regularly updated to keep sites secure and introduce new features.  You can learn more about this new version on WordPress.org

Managed WordPress includes automatic update to make sure those new security fixes and features are available on your site.  It saves you time, while keeping your WordPress site(s) safe and performing its best.

What to look out for:

In rare cases, your site’s theme or plugins may be incompatible with new WordPress releases. It’s never a bad idea to pop over to your site after an update to make sure everything’s working and your site’s theme and plugins have been updated to their most recent versions.

Don’t worry, you can learn how to update a plugin or update a theme in just a few minutes. And we’re here if you need us, Gary. If you have any questions, please call us anytime at +1 (480) 463-8271.”

I love words like”saves you time”  “rare cases” “Don’t worry”  and “What to Look Out For” so reassuring.  Almost sounds like a disease.  Besides, you cannot save time, you only choose how to use it.

The notice from Apple said:

“Your mac will try to update later tonight and will automatically restart.

macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 — Restart Required

macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 addresses an issue that may prevent the battery from charging in some 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models.

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. 
For more detailed information about this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211896 
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
”

Here are some waffle words: “try to update”  “some…models” and “some features may not be available for all regions or on all…devices.”

I am not advertising for either WP or Apple and I did not ask for these notices but in order to “keep up to date” this is apparently what I need to do, or allow to happen.  My kids are all early adopters and I don’t think I fit that category although some of them think I’m doing all right on that front.  I remember my oldest granddaughter, turning 30 next month, thinking I was cool a few years ago because I could send and receive text messages.  She and I communicate fairly well in this world of technology, sometimes via LinkedIn, sometimes via text and even by email and phone.

We are all subject to built-in obsolescence, including our own, and while I may be old-school, out of date and a contrarian, I have managed to remain intact, in touch and up to date as much as I need.  However, I am reaching a point where I am not terribly interested in the latest, greatest whatever it is to stay up to date.  I have suspected for a long time that much of this encouragement to have the latest is a not so well camouflaged marketing ploy to sell something and to sell more.  I wrote a related blog on that topic about the “new (not so new) economic imperatives” of spend, buy, waste, want, and borrow replacing save, use, keep, have and give.  I first noticed those “new economic imperatives” in NYC 60 years ago.

In this age of techno gadgetry we are also subject to being “hacked” that adds another layer of fear and insecurity.  Similarly with credit cards, debit cards and bank accounts, all of which depend on internet connections to have paperless transactions that are faster and more accurate.

My Macbook Pro Is 4 years old (May 2017) and it won’t be long before it won’t be able to support the latest applications and platforms.  That will not be a surprise.  My iPhone 6 came out in September, 2015, and it’s fine for me, at least for now. And I have a 7th generation iPad running 14.3.   I have not suffered from FOMO as far as I know and yet these reminders or warnings have a sub-text of fear, especially about security. If I can scare you, maybe I can sell you more security, a higher level that costs more.

My truck is 7 years old and I could replace it but guess what?  I’m keeping it “up to date” by doing the same thing I’m doing with myself.  Regular maintenance, check-ups and either repairing or replacing parts as necessary.  At some point both my truck and I will quit and be taken off the road but until then we’re enjoying the ride.

Here’s an earlier post on the same topic I had forgotten. This current post must be an update! https://garygruber.com/updates-and-downloads/    It sounds like the same song, different verse. Sheesh!