Change is good.  But sometimes a change is so profound that one particular age group does not embrace it.  Their life experience just doesn't allow them to be comfortable with the new-fangled way.

When personal computers began to infiltrate the work environment, senior executives used to having menial work performed by their secretaries just couldn't bring themselves to learn how to work these new machines. Some were afraid they would look stupid because they were not instantly facile with the new computers. Some felt that typing was a skill left to those beneath them. These titans of industry, while embracing the idea of increased productivity brought on by the new machines, completely rejected the idea that they personally should be part of the computer revolution.

Look around mahogany row today. Everyone embraces and uses personal computers.

How did this change come about? Hint: it has been about 25 years since personal computers invaded the corporate world.

A Generation Has Passed.

Years ago I worked on the earliest ATMs for banks. We did focus groups where consumers were asked to operate our prototype self-help banking machines. One older lady refused to touch any of our shiny toys. We asked her why and she said, "Oh, they look very expensive.  If I touch one and it breaks, I'll have to pay for it." We realized from her comment that widespread acceptance of ATMs wouldn't happen until a new generation of consumers grew up. From that day, it was 25 years before the first ATMS were installed in McDonalds. A generation.

We are seeing something similar in the regulatory agencies as new technologies are introduced into aircraft.  One example is the layout of the keybord often used for flight management.  A few years ago, the first QWERTY keyboard layout I'm aware of was introduced (by Avidyne) for General Aviation. I believe a whole new generation of regulators are now starting to rule on avionics.

Moral: Fundamental changes in how we do things take a long time to be embraced by all.

-Don Burtis