As I sit here today, trying to keep up with technology and all the changes in social media, SEO, AI, and machine learning, I am reminded of one of my dad’s stories.

Besides being the most amazing human being I have ever known, a wonderful father, husband and grandfather, and an accomplished business executive, my dad had a great sense of humor.

He used to run writing groups where he and others would write and share their stories with one another.

I had often encouraged him to try to publish some of his stories as they were hysterical, but he never got around to it.

After he passed away in 2012, when I was able to breathe again (losing him was like losing part of my heart), I decided to compile all his stories into a book and self-publish it.

The book is “From Self-Proclaimed Nerd to Accomplished Executive, to Befuddled Snowbird.”

I didn’t come up with the title to please search engines because who on earth would search for such a title?

Because I compiled his stories as a tribute to him, SEO wasn’t factored into the title selection.

Before I share his story with you, let’s discuss keeping up with technology for those involved in digital marketing today.

Keeping up With the Current Trends

Navigating the swirling currents of our digital age can feel like trying to catch smoke with a net.

Keeping up with technology is a challenge that demands constant vigilance as new gadgets and platforms emerge faster than we can learn the old ones.

It’s not just about understanding the latest trends; it’s a race to stay relevant in a world that won’t stop evolving for anyone.

From the dizzying changes in social media algorithms to the ever-advancing features of our smartphones, the digital landscape can seem overwhelming.

Adapting to these technological advancements is paramount; without it, we risk being left behind in our personal and professional lives.

Navigating the Ever-Changing Social Media Landscape

Adapting to the ever-evolving social media landscape is crucial for staying relevant and maintaining a strong online presence.

Understanding its impact is essential for successful engagement strategies, as algorithms continuously shape how content is shared and viewed.

Staying on Top of Algorithm Updates and Technology

Algorithms play a vital role in determining the visibility of content on social media platforms.

Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter regulate what users see in their feeds by constantly fine-tuning their algorithms.

To navigate these changes successfully, individuals must stay informed about updates and adjust their strategies accordingly.

Tips for aligning with algorithm updates include creating high-quality, authentic content that resonates with your audience.

Embracing video content, leveraging user-generated content, and engaging with trending topics can help increase visibility.

Additionally, you should monitor analytics to understand what resonates with your audience.

Also, adapting your content strategy based on these insights is critical and empowering for optimizing content for algorithms.

Keeping up with Technology with Engagement Strategies in a Dynamic Environment

Effective engagement strategies are central to maintaining a strong online presence amidst the dynamic social media landscape.

Building meaningful connections with followers and fostering interactions are essential for driving user engagement and building a loyal community.

Engagement techniques that work well in a dynamic environment include:

• Responding promptly to comments and messages
• Hosting interactive live sessions
• Running engaging contests or polls
• Collaborating with influencers or other brands.

Individuals can create a more engaging and interactive social media presence by fostering a two-way conversation with followers and encouraging user-generated content.

Real-life examples of successful engagement campaigns within shifting social media landscapes can inspire innovative approaches.

By studying successful engagement strategies that brands and influencers employ, individuals can gain insights into what resonates with audiences.

Remember that adapting to algorithm changes and implementing effective engagement strategies are ongoing processes that require flexibility and creativity.

Stay informed, experiment with new approaches, and stay authentic to your brand.

Remaining Relevant and Keeping up With Technology

If you want to grow personally and professionally, staying relevant is crucial.

With technology evolving rapidly, it’s essential to continually learn and adapt to new advancements to thrive in the digital age.

Continuous Learning and Skill Development

Keep your skills sharp and open doors to new opportunities by continuing to learn.

Several online platforms offer courses ranging from coding to digital marketing, allowing you to learn at your own pace.

By dedicating a small portion of your day to watching a tutorial or listening to a podcast, you will be better positioned to integrate learning into your daily routine.

Adapting to Technological Advancements

Embracing new technologies and trends is vital to staying relevant.

Success stories abound of individuals who have effectively adapted to tech changes, propelling their careers to new heights.

By being open to experimentation and flexible in your approach to tech adoption, you can harness the power of innovation.

Whether learning a new programming language or experimenting with a cutting-edge software tool, being proactive in embracing change will set you apart.

Remember, in the digital age, the only constant is change. By committing to continuous learning and embracing technological advancements, you can future-proof your skill set and thrive.

It’s time to share my dad’s story: Keeping up with Technology.

The story captures the bewildering yet fascinating journey from the introduction of TVs and VCRs to the era of cell phones and beyond.

Through his eyes, we’ll explore the quirks and wonders of keeping up with technology, reminding us that while the pace of change can be daunting, it makes the digital world so exciting.

By David Sahud, My Mentor, My Friend, My Loving Father (1929-2012)

Below is a witty story from the book titled From Self-Proclaimed Nerd to Accomplished Executive, to Befuddled Snowbird, written by someone very close to me – that would be my dad – David Sahud – about trying to keep up with technology.

It is appropriate for newbies and others in the Internet/social media marketing/digital marketing arena. Enjoy!

Those Pesky Electrons

Our friends and family called us pioneers because we bit the bullet and bought the first TV set just in time for the first Louis/Walcott fight in 1947.

It was a massive three-foot-high Philco console with a barely detectable ten-inch viewing surface centered and about five inches from the top.

And, It looked like a postage stamp pasted on the Great Wall of China.

The instruction book, written in hieroglyphics, was particularly intimidating because no one in the family believed pictures could fly through the air.

It took us a long time to accept the miracle of traveling sound waves, but it was too much to swallow.

The mystery box only had three knobs, ON/OFF/VOLUME, CHANNEL SELECTION and PICTURE ADJUSTMENT.

There were two expandable metal rods aligned in the shape of a V, which could be widened and swiveled, known as a “Rabbit-ears antenna.”

It sat on top of the console and bore no resemblance to the ears of a rabbit, unless the rabbit had auditory nerves in the center of his head.

The first two knobs were self-evident, but the last one, in conjunction with the antenna, showed an infinite number of variations which didn’t seem to be reproducible.

To maximize clarity, one had to match the 10,000 or more antenna positions with a numberless knob setting.

I was able to maximize Channel 5 clarity by holding the antenna at a 24-degree angle while dangling my left leg at 47 degrees over the right armrest of the couch unless it was raining.

In that case, if I turned the knob one turn to the right and straddled the left side of the easy chair, the picture improved on Thursdays only.

By the time I optimized Channel 5, the program was over.

However, I did enjoy the midnight prayer. And dear old Grandma, who was too petrified to touch a knob or the antenna, spent most of her time watching test patterns.

When not watching test patterns, she loved seeing Bishop Fulton J. Sheen because he wore a yarmulke, and she didn’t understand English very well.

Though still in denial of flying pictures, electronic innovations came at me too fast to absorb.

I now learned that these non-existent pictures could also be recorded on a piece of plastic.

So, I ventured into the world of VCRs. Unfortunately, having never even trusted my alarm clock, I forced myself to watch every taping.

The machine had a sneaky look on its face and could not be trusted when I turned my back.

So now I have a massive collection of operas, ballets, shows, and videotapes that I don’t watch anymore.

And all it cost me was an angry wife, kids who grew up without a father and friends who gave up on me.

Now, of course, tapes are becoming obsolete and have been replaced by men’s underwear- DVDs.

Another inkling that the world was passing me by came with my introduction to computers.

I knew that the abacus was born over 2000 years ago. But I still couldn’t fathom how a bamboo frame with beads sliding on wires could solve arithmetic problems.

It seemed more appropriate to play music on it. I had seen similar structures on baby cribs and didn’t know how to use them either.

Thus, bursting with ignorance, I stumbled on to an industrial computer which used 10,000 vacuum tubes, 1800 square feet of floor space and consumed 180,000 watts of electrical power.

It seemed even more intimidating than the crib, but I studied it with uncharacteristic patience.

Had I had a choice, I would have preferred hearing lectures in baby talk instead of “computer speak.”

They explained that the monster had punch card 1/0, 1 multiplier, 1 divider/square rooter and 20 adders using decimal ring counters.

I found no room for disagreement, although I would have loved to disembowel the instructor.

I tried to look intelligent and didn’t express my opinion that the computer would make a good center island for an oval running track.

Reading the brochure introduced even more confusing terms to add to my useless collection.

Actually, my only previous exposure to punch cards was on a weaving loom.

I waited for hours hoping that a blue worsted fabric would emerge from the other end of the ENIAC.

The evolution progressed to Random Access Memory (or RAM), Magnetic Core (hence the company name “Apple”) Memory and the Transistor Circuit Element.

This increased the RAM capacities from 8,000 to 64,000 words (damn my limited vocabulary!) with access times of 2 to 3 milliseconds. (I’m retired. What’s my hurry?)

My sight is so bad that I can’t even read the millisecond hand on my watch.

Downsizing of circuitry, photo printing of circuit boards and vacuum deposition of transistors became the norm and entire assemblies became available on tiny “Chips.”

What the hell is a chip?

I only know them as bone fragments, poker equipment, pieces of chocolate, etc., and never associated any of them with information storage.

Yet, by some miracle, this led to the introduction of personal computers (PCs).

I stoically avoided PCs for many years until my employer provided me with a laptop and commanded me to use it.

I initially felt like Grandma, only I stared at a monitor with funny-looking little icons instead of test patterns, afraid to touch the keyboard.

I was told that my unit could process about four million instructions per second.

Panic attacks betrayed my inability to issue more than 300,000 instructions per second, despite my superior leadership skills.

While I dawdled in panic, advances like networking, E-mail and electronic publishing shot past me.

When I succumbed to pressures and tried word processing, my first epic was WWWWWWWWWWW 197 times.

I guess I held the key down too long. My old Remington typewriter never abused me like that.

But I am learning. After chasing the mouse all over the walls, I almost have it under control.

All I have to do is hold my right hand steady with a C clamp.

I understand that my computer “talks” to my printer on my request.

I never hear the conversation, but they tell me it takes place.

I wonder what would happen if the printer refused the instruction and told the computer to shove it up its telephone jack.

Would the screen now be littered with invectives? I would gladly picket for the first amendment rights of the printer to speak its mind.

My latest foray into the world of technology involves the cell phone.

How complex could a telephone be? You just punch out the number you want.

But no; we also have call waiting, caller ID, address book, rings that play Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C Sharp Minor, timers and screens that tell us we are “roaming,” when we know exactly where we are.

It gets even more threatening with the advent of picture phones, etc.

You can be awakened with a picture of your Mother-in-law, pants pressed, your coffee ready, your shower started and your car waiting in front of the house.

As soon as computer science learns to perform a few more human tasks, I expect to be arrested for bigamy.

Emotions will probably become programmable, but the thought of a passionate hunk of metal licking my ear turns me off.

Scientists say that I am 63% water and the balance of subatomic particles like electrons, protons and neutrons.

Since we know that electrons do most of the work, why are my electrons so hostile to electrons in the new technologies?

Why can’t we electrons just get along?

Copyright 2009

Read More of Dad’s Stories

Lessons Learned from My Father and Final Thoughts About Keeping up with Technology

Instead of becoming overwhelmed with technological advances and changes in the digital arena, keep a sense of humor and go with the flow.

The whirlwind of technological advancements shows no signs of slowing down.

As we strive to keep up with the latest gadgets and innovations, it becomes apparent that staying ahead of the curve is no easy feat.

Each new device or software update evolves the technology landscape, presenting challenges and opportunities for those willing to embrace the digital age.

Embracing Change While Keeping up with Technology

In a world where change is the only constant, adapting to new technologies is not just an option but a necessity.

The ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn has become a valuable skill.

We can navigate the ever-changing tech realm with confidence and agility by staying curious and open-minded.

Keeping up with Technology and Lifelong Learning

Keeping up with technology is not a one-time task but a lifelong journey.

This is one of the reasons the tagline to my dad’s book is: “Life’s Journey Through the Absurd Told with Sophistication and Wise-Ass Humor.”

Embracing a continuous learning mindset allows us to explore new horizons and expand our capabilities.

Whether mastering the latest smartphone features or delving into cutting-edge digital trends, the quest for knowledge fuels our growth and keeps us relevant in a tech-savvy world.

Community Connection

Technology connects us to information and each other. Building a tech-savvy community allows us to share insights, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate milestones.

Fostering a supportive network of like-minded individuals can amplify our learning experiences and help us stay motivated on our tech journey.

In the dynamic landscape of technology, the key to staying relevant lies in our willingness to adapt, learn, and connect.

By embracing change, committing to lifelong learning, and nurturing a vibrant community, we can confidently navigate the ever-evolving realm of digital innovation.

Let’s embrace the future with open arms and a curious mind as we continue our journey of keeping up with technology.

And most of all, maintain your sense of humor; one of the many lessons my father taught me.

Originally published 12/5/09. Republished September 23, 2020 to add images. Republished May 18, 2024, to add content and videos.