Several years ago, when the dinosaurs roamed the earth (well maybe not that long ago), I noticed that there was a change in the young people coming to camp. They started to arrive with cell phones. In the early days of teens having cell phones there was no cell phone service at camp. And the cabins at camp, while comfortable, weren’t exactly bursting with plug-ins to charge the phones. I didn’t see this as a problem. We needed the campers to be engaged in the program of the camp. We provided the information that they needed and if there was a reason to communicate with parents or others outside of camp, the regular phone in the camp office worked just fine.

The campers, however, discovered a problem right away. If they turned off their phones, the phone didn’t know what time it was when it was turned back on without being connected to a signal. And the campers were using their phones as their only clock. I remember taking a half dozen cell phones on a trip to town to pick up supplies so that they would find towers and find out what time it was.

Again, it wasn’t a real problem at camp. We rang the bell to announce meals and events and we played taps and reveille to let the campers know when it was time for lights out and when it was time to get up in the morning.

Back in those days, when I traveled to a meeting in a distant city, I had a small portable alarm clock to make sure that I woke at the appropriate time in a different time zone.

Ah yes, I remember the good old days.

I confess that I do use my cell phone as an alarm clock these days and the travel alarm is not a device for which I have any use. If the cell phone service were to go out, I’d be left without an alarm clock.

I would, however, still know what time it is. I wear a watch all the time. In fact, since I used to wear my watch as an alarm clock, I sleep with my watch on my wrist. I use it throughout the day and often in the night to find out what time it is. I’ve worn a watch since I received my first watch for an 8th grade graduation gift. Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of different watches, often the least expensive model available. I’ve worn digital watches, but they don’t suit my personality as well as a face with hands that go around. I don’t really wear my watch to know exactly what time it is, but rather about what time it is. As a result, with a digital clock, I’ll look and see 3:58 and think, “Good, it’s not 4 yet!” Whereas with a watch with hands, I am more likely to process the information quickly and know what it means.

So you’d think that I might be the kind of customer who is itching to buy a new Apple Watch. But I’m not leaping at the opportunity right now. In the first place, my current watch does what I want it to do. It tells me what time it is. It doesn’t report my health statistics to my insurance company. It doesn’t track my bank balance. It doesn’t send or receive text messages.

I’m vaguely interested in the digital alternatives to credit cards. I did OK in the days of checks and cash, but since my debt card has replaced my checkbook, I find that particular technology to be a bit frustrating. Mine gets used a lot. It never lasts as long as the span of time between expiration dates. I have to order a replacement card when the magnetic strip on the back gets worn and I keep rubbing the security code off of the card, rendering it less useful in some situations. I’m not a fan of cards, thought I use them a lot. The idea of not having to carry the card and having the ability to immediately turn it off if someone steals your watch is appealing.

But that brings up a problem with the watch. I lived in Chicago for four years and no one ever attempted to steal my watch. When you don’t wear an expensive watch the crooks don’t want your K-mart blue light special watch with the home-made watch band. So the thought of spending $350 for a watch doesn’t appeal to me. And that is the most basic model. I’ve heard that there are versions of the watch that will sell for more than $10,000. I’m not a likely customer for one of those.

And the youth in our church youth group aren’t likely customers, either. They don’t wear watches. And they never put down their smartphones.

I remember a short time when I carried a cell phone and a digital calendar and address book. My palm pilot was an additional device that I had to carry. When those two devices could be replaced with a single device, I jumped at the opportunity. I prefer fewer devices, not more. I wonder how many people will feel the need for a watch, a phone, a notebook and a computer that all talk to each other and yet each occupies a niche that makes it not easily replaceable by other devices. I don’t think people will begin reading books on their watches anytime soon.

Another thing about wearable technology is that it tends to be brutally honest. A wearable device records exactly how many steps you take, not how many you say you take. It measures your real blood pressure, not your ideal. The thing about smartphones and computers is that they allow users to create versions of themselves for Facebook and other sites that are, well, a bit imaginary, and if not that, at least a bit exaggerated.

It will be interesting to see who finds a need for the latest gadget. I’m quite a gadget guy, but I think I’ll wait and see.

I wrote this. If you want to copy it, please ask for permission. There is a contact me button at the bottom of this page. If you want to share my blog a friend, please direct your friend to my web site.