Why do we tend to become more conservative?

There was a time when I always thought my parents were stubborn and unwilling to try new things. Out of ignorance, I even used to ridicule them.

Today, when I spent half a day changing from Windows 8.1 to Windows 7 just for the sake of using IE8 (as a side note, I only needed it for online banking), and I thought to myself, “I hope I never have to use a new system again.”

Recently, even Microsoft has been forced to release updated versions of its browser due to competition. I was told by customer service at China CITIC Bank that IE8 worked best with USB U-shield, but I already had IE 11 on my Windows 8.1.

Since IE is tied to the operating system, I had no choice but to change the system. As it was installed on a virtual machine, it took a lot of effort and wasted the entire morning. Although there was a happy ending, I couldn’t get back the time I spent.

Reflecting on the release of Yosemite 10.10 Dev version, as a developer, I managed to resist the temptation and only upgraded when the official version was released.

The reason why goes back to my time in college when the preview version of Windows 7 was leaked. I couldn’t wait to upgrade, but then realized that my broadband connection would disappear every time I restarted.

I had also tried using the Dvorak keyboard; after a month, I became so proficient in typing that even playing Warcraft was no longer a problem.

I felt that my typing speed had indeed improved, though it might have been partly psychological. However, I clearly noticed that I used the keys in the middle row more frequently.

However, when I used someone else’s computer, I became a complete idiot! Every time, I had to explain painstakingly, “I’m using the Dvorak keyboard.” And the most fatal thing was that when I switched to Ubuntu, it worked fine in English, but Chinese input became a tragedy.

Furthermore, with the growing popularity of Android, it became practically impossible to find a phone keyboard with the Dvorak layout.

So, I had to compromise.

For example, when working, I compiled Android ROM on Ubuntu 10.10. Although version 11 was more visually appealing, and official support had already been discontinued for 10.10, if I made the slightest mistake, I could no longer compile it.

There are countless examples like this.

Considering that I am not yet middle-aged, but I already find myself hesitant and cautious, could it be that older people have experienced more setbacks and fallen into more traps, which is why they gradually become unwilling to try new things?

Referring to the Learned Helplessness Experiment, it seems to be an animal instinct, and there doesn’t appear to be a solution.

However, people like this will gradually become boring and stagnant, like stagnant water that slowly turns foul.

I don’t want to become one of those people.

When talking to older and interesting individuals, there is no pressure, and I can better express my thoughts.

So, how do they keep up with the times and maintain their curiosity?

Translated by gpt-3.5-turbo