Modern Technology for Absolute Beginners, Period 1, Tuesday, 7/03

[halfman-lion.livejournal.com]

The class met in one of the school's computer labs, which was strongly and blissfully air conditioned. Tyrion was certainly more than pleased by the cool air; it was another bit of modern technology he was rapidly becoming quite fond of.

"Welcome to Modern Technology for Absolute Beginners," he said from his usual perch atop the desk, once the students each seemed to have found a work station. "This is the computer lab; the screens with letter tablets attached in front of you are called personal computers. If you've never touched one before, I recommend you wait until after I finish talking to do so."

"I am Tyrion Lannister, and this class is called Modern Technology for Absolute Beginners. If you aren't quite an absolute beginner, stay anyhow. I may call on you for your expertise. But I would like to know where each of you are starting out. For example, my world's far behind this one from the perspective of most of you. We've no electricity -- the thing that makes all these modern marvels work. We get about on horseback and send messages tied to the legs of ravens. It has many other charms" -- said a bit dubiously -- "but there's nothing like in this world, where an entire library can fit into a bit of machinery that a man can carry in his pocket."

Gesturing a bit to the class, he said, "Now you know my background, and now I'd like to know yours. Please tell me your name, what technology in your home is like, and one thing you either very much want to learn more about or wish to avoid. We'll play with the computers a bit at the end of class, if we've time left after the introductions."

Comments

Re: Introductions [7/03]

[godscrankshaft.livejournal.com]

"I am Thomasina Coverly, of Sidley Park, and I suppose at this point I am no longer an absolute beginner," she admitted. "I arrived in the present from the year 1812 approximately two months ago, and during that period have started to learn all the various ways in which modern technology allows better -- and faster -- access to information.

"This is a vast improvement 1812, wherein electricity had yet to be discovered as a harnessable force."

She flushed a little, somewhat embarrassed to add, "Out of this class, I hope to have a better understanding of the basics of modern technology; I have found, at times, that it is as if speaking in a different idiom. I recognise the words, but cannot always decipher their meaning in their present context."

Re: Introductions [7/03]

[halfman-lion.livejournal.com]

"It's like a new language, isn't it?" Tyrion asked sympathetically. "And not one transparent to outsiders. I've found a website called Urban Dictionary is very useful at ... decoding, if you don't mind some rude words."

Re: Introductions [7/03]

[godscrankshaft.livejournal.com]

"I've read Shakespeare and Byron, and, among others, Lysistrata in the original Greek," Thomasina clarified, smiling softly. "I do not fear a few rude words."

Oh, Thomasina. You have no idea.

"But indeed, yes, it is like a new language -- or like a dialect so far removed from my own as to be completely indecipherable. It is all the more frustrating because I feel I ought to understand, if only I could push my brain that little bit farther."