Zandia

Zandia

They say you can find any information you need on your computer, just ask. So much better than when I was in school, before computers.

If we wanted information we had to go to the public library and search through the books you weren’t allowed to take out. Encyclopedias and books about things and countries. They had a giant room with tables where you could go to use them, but you had to do it there. Plus, they weren’t more up to date than the last time the town gave the library enough money to update them. In other words, not often. Still...

How great it is now to be able to get the latest information about any question you might have, from your own personal computer! And all it takes is to be able to ask. Simple! Easy! So they say... all lies.

I sit in front of my computer. My own personal computer! Which apparently has no allegiance to me. It mocks me. “So,” it seems to be saying, “you want to know the population of Zandia? You don’t even know where Zandia is! You couldn’t find Zandia on a map! Go ahead, try! I’ll mock you every time you hit a key!”

I try again, “Where is Zandia?”

“Funny!” says the computer, “I’m not going to tell you! Figure it out! Here, I’ll tell you how to spell Constantinople while you’re waiting! Maybe Zandia is in Constantinople! Too bad you can’t find out!” And so it goes, until I quit.

Am I too old to learn how to talk to a computer? I don’t know. I hope not. But in the meantime... I actually do know where the public library is... and you know, they still have a librarian there too... who will help you.