8 The PCB Design Magazine • February 2017
Luddite: One of a group of early 19th cen-
tury English workmen destroying labor-saving
machinery as a protest;
broadly: One who is
especially opposed to change.
—Merriam Webster's online dictionary
I recently discovered that I'd become a Lud-
dite. Sure, it was only in one very specific case,
but as the IT guy for our home, I like to think
I'm on top of technology.
Lately, my girlfriend Rita and I have been
listening to her podcasts in the car, primarily
"My Favorite Murder," "Serial," and "These Are
Their Stories," which is devoted to tongue-in-
cheek discussions of the entire "Law and Order"
franchise. It turns out podcasts are all she listens
to, with the occasional exception of public ra-
dio. She has hundreds of podcasts saved on her
phone. She even listens to podcasts that feature
the stars of podcasts talking about podcasts.
So, I tried to set up podcasts on my phone.
No dice. I followed the directions…I think. Fi-
nally, Rita took my phone, mashed a few but-
tons, and handed it back to me. "Here, you're
ready to go. Any questions?" At least she didn't
tousle my hair and call me "kiddo."
Of course, as the editor of a technical maga-
zine, I try not to get too far behind the technol-
ogy curve. But if we're not paying attention to
by Andy Shaughnessy
I-CONNECT007
Are You a Luddite?
THE SHAUGHNESSY REPORT
