I think I’m doing good. I taught my daughter the difference between atheism and agnosticism and she “converted” to the latter, not knowing it existed (For the record, she’s 12 and I’m 38, so don’t bother playing the “she’s too young” card.)
Funny and topical for me! My granddaughter has appropriated my old Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter. She thinks it’s cool to type all her school papers on it. Recently, she called me to ask if I could replace the ribbon for her.
Not only does her old abuelo know how to change the ribbon but he’s got a secret stash of new replacement ribbons he purchased many years ago in case she uses this one up!
Meanwhile, Gens X and Z are laughing at all the current things we old fogies don’t know how to do. Each generation learns how to use the technology of its day. Then the next generation of technology and people comes along and leaves the previous generation feeling smug about what the younguns don’t know how to do—even though they’ll never have the need to do it.
When you were young the elders didn’t know how everything worked. They just lied to you and left you with the impression that they did. Opals is coming to the same realization that her grandmother came to.
If they expect the new generation to be able to change a typewriter ribbon, I expect them to know how to herd cattle. Same logic, they expect the newer generation who had no training in this obsolete thing to be able to instantly understand it.
I’m old, but I think even today’s youth could figure out how, with the right guidance. We have to believe in them and respect them … they are the future.
I remember when I finally got a computer (for business) and found that I could type on it and could correct a mistake “WITHOUT” having to re-type the whole paper ……. I was in hog heaven ….. :)
The trick to changing a typewriter ribbon is TO NOT REMOVE THE OLD RIBBON UNTIL YOU HAVE THE NEW RIBBON AT THE TYPEWRITER. Unwrap the new ribbon and place it on the desk in front of the typewriter. Orient the new ribbon on the desk in the same position as the old ribbon on the typewriter. Pay attention to which direction the ribbon is wrapped around the spools. Remove only one spool of the old ribbon from the typewriter. Place the corresponding spool of the new ribbon in its place. Slowly remove the old ribbon from the ribbon guides as you replace it with the new ribbon. Continue across the the carriage until you get to the second spool of the old ribbon. Remove that spool and install the second spool of the new ribbon. That wasn’t so difficult, was it?
allen@home 9 months ago
Earl has a good point. For once.
Ratkin Premium Member 9 months ago
Or dial a rotary phone.
Wilde Bill 9 months ago
Sure. First find me a typewriter.
stairsteppublishing 9 months ago
The old college portable typewriter still works.
carlsonbob 9 months ago
They’d ask “what’s a typewriter? Why does it need a ribbon?”
Yakety Sax 9 months ago
If you really want to confuse them write out, in cursive, how to drive a stick shift vehicle!
fuzzbucket Premium Member 9 months ago
Haven’t seen my typewriter in years, but I know how to put a set of new toner cartridges in my laser printer.
GeorgeInAZ 9 months ago
Or fill a car battery.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs 9 months ago
“….or mend a buggy whip or knap a flint spear.”
jdi801 9 months ago
Like to see them change a tire.
jmworacle 9 months ago
Or read a map.
Zykoic 9 months ago
Kids now-a-days don’t know how to go down to the Rexall Drug Store and test the vacuum tubes from the Admiral TV.
silberdistel 9 months ago
I like Opal’s top and can’t figure out what that white spot on Earl’s head might be- the one above his left eye.
DavidWilliams1 9 months ago
When will they age so they go into a nursing home and Nelson goes to middle school? Is their last name Pickle or Pickles?
cracker65 9 months ago
Nelson, what’s a typewriter?
oldthang 9 months ago
Or change a car’s flat tire.
jagedlo 9 months ago
But the thing is, Earl…can YOU remember how to change a typewriter ribbon?
SquidGamerGal 9 months ago
They could learn quickly if they’re trapped in a old mansion infested with bio-engineered zombies!
juicebruce 9 months ago
Opal tis only a slim few things that today’s kids are good at and it has been this way for many generations ;-)
fencie 9 months ago
type-type-type-type-DING-SLAP-type-type-type-type
fencie 9 months ago
And the joy of carbon paper and typing erasers.
PraiseofFolly 9 months ago
… But can our kids find decent jobs TO work? (“Do you want fries with that?”)
franvgb 9 months ago
Opal is not wearing polka dots!
scote1379 Premium Member 9 months ago
What’s a Floppy Disc ?
enigmamz 9 months ago
Or use to correct method to wack a TV when the picture gets fuzzy.
Lexguy 9 months ago
Do they even know what a typewriter ribbon is?
TwilightFaze 9 months ago
I think I’m doing good. I taught my daughter the difference between atheism and agnosticism and she “converted” to the latter, not knowing it existed (For the record, she’s 12 and I’m 38, so don’t bother playing the “she’s too young” card.)
elbow macaroni 9 months ago
Ageist
chris_o42 9 months ago
LOL That’s something I remember struggling with—and then you’d get ink on your fingers.
mckeonfuneralhomebx 9 months ago
When the attack comes and it will wipe out all technological advancements, the survivors will be over the age of 45!
Linguist 9 months ago
Funny and topical for me! My granddaughter has appropriated my old Olivetti Lettera 32 typewriter. She thinks it’s cool to type all her school papers on it. Recently, she called me to ask if I could replace the ribbon for her.
Not only does her old abuelo know how to change the ribbon but he’s got a secret stash of new replacement ribbons he purchased many years ago in case she uses this one up!
kaycstamper 9 months ago
There you go! Something YOU know! I guarantee you my kids could. Pretty easy compared to the things they’ve figured out!
[Unnamed Reader - b66f38] 9 months ago
This was already. The money back!
Marcia Gibson Premium Member 9 months ago
We need to stop judging the youth by their ability/inability to operate things they will never use. Get over it
cmo2495 Premium Member 9 months ago
Lego now has a model typewriter kit. I saw it at Target a few weeks ago. I don’t know it it really works.
piper_gilbert 9 months ago
What’s a typewriter?
rgulyash 9 months ago
They might know modern stuff, but it was US that potty trained them
Sue Ellen 9 months ago
Meanwhile, Gens X and Z are laughing at all the current things we old fogies don’t know how to do. Each generation learns how to use the technology of its day. Then the next generation of technology and people comes along and leaves the previous generation feeling smug about what the younguns don’t know how to do—even though they’ll never have the need to do it.
Queen of America 9 months ago
I got a portable one for either my birthday or Christmas during my junior or senior year. It was blue.
ladykat 9 months ago
I’d like to see that, too.
MuddyUSA Premium Member 9 months ago
Atta boy Earl……
wolfgang73 9 months ago
The more things change, the more they stay the same
Robert Williams @ Williams Web Solutions 9 months ago
I can. That is how I first learned to type.
trainnut1956 9 months ago
I must be an old guy because I DO know how to change a typewriter ribbon.
AZfroggie 9 months ago
Or read an analog clock, or read cursive writing, or use a dial landline phone.
w16521 9 months ago
Nelson: What’s a typewriter?
Drbarb71 Premium Member 9 months ago
It’s not so much the skills we can learn from elders but the wisdom of persistence and humor while learning new ones.
zeexenon 9 months ago
Or the font ball on an IBM Selectric.
Ginger Vedder 9 months ago
Or skin a rabbit
jader3rd 9 months ago
When you were young the elders didn’t know how everything worked. They just lied to you and left you with the impression that they did. Opals is coming to the same realization that her grandmother came to.
KEA 9 months ago
I’d like to see them identify a typewriter ribbon.
dlaemmerhirt999 9 months ago
You showed THEM, Earl!
karmakat01 9 months ago
I did it many time…want me to show you too?
Bill The Nuke 9 months ago
Or change a tire, jump-start a car, change the direction a ceiling fan turns, fix a leaky faucet, etc..
Mike Baldwin creator 9 months ago
Information is power, and the share of information, for example how to videos on YouTube, is unprecedented -and a wonderful thing.
Quentin1992 9 months ago
You can get it on Amazon.
cafed00d Premium Member 9 months ago
Just thinking about this turned the tips of my fingers black…
ANIMAL 9 months ago
Yeah……. ME too
Snuffles [Previously Helikitty] 9 months ago
If they expect the new generation to be able to change a typewriter ribbon, I expect them to know how to herd cattle. Same logic, they expect the newer generation who had no training in this obsolete thing to be able to instantly understand it.
mlncostume Premium Member 9 months ago
I’m old, but I think even today’s youth could figure out how, with the right guidance. We have to believe in them and respect them … they are the future.
QuietStorm27 9 months ago
I’m not that old but I asked for and received an electric typewriter in the 7th grade. It was one of my favorite gifts.
GG_loves_comics Premium Member 9 months ago
Thanks for bringing up a horrible memory, Earl!
EMGULS79 9 months ago
Or extricate and salvage an all-but-eaten cassette tape from a voracious recorder.
cactusbob333 9 months ago
Some youngsters would look at a typewriter and try to text a friend on it.
bwswolf 9 months ago
I remember when I finally got a computer (for business) and found that I could type on it and could correct a mistake “WITHOUT” having to re-type the whole paper ……. I was in hog heaven ….. :)
oakie817 9 months ago
i still have my typewriter
hk Premium Member 9 months ago
Actually not true. Too many of them are living with their parents because they can’t figure life out.
eced52 9 months ago
Touche’
FunnyPageLover 9 months ago
Speak for yourself, Opal! I’m probably older than she is, and I teach math to middle schoolers.
Otis Rufus Driftwood 9 months ago
I haven’t seen a typewriter ribbon in so long, I forgot what they looked like. And I’m younger then they’re supposed to be.
wlbr549 9 months ago
I’d like to see them install points inside a distributor cap, plus gap the points.
PaintTheDust 9 months ago
I’ll take that action! Bet I can.
mleannw 9 months ago
There might be one at Goodwill.
library_dean 9 months ago
The trick to changing a typewriter ribbon is TO NOT REMOVE THE OLD RIBBON UNTIL YOU HAVE THE NEW RIBBON AT THE TYPEWRITER. Unwrap the new ribbon and place it on the desk in front of the typewriter. Orient the new ribbon on the desk in the same position as the old ribbon on the typewriter. Pay attention to which direction the ribbon is wrapped around the spools. Remove only one spool of the old ribbon from the typewriter. Place the corresponding spool of the new ribbon in its place. Slowly remove the old ribbon from the ribbon guides as you replace it with the new ribbon. Continue across the the carriage until you get to the second spool of the old ribbon. Remove that spool and install the second spool of the new ribbon. That wasn’t so difficult, was it?
cfkelley 9 months ago
Or drive a standard transmission.