[ScientiaOmnisEst]

I was going to post a ramble on some other thread, but decided against it.

Her's the bulk of it, simply posted here for the sake of elaborating my thoughts:

All I can think now is that I am doomed in life. I'm stupid, hopelessly stupid. Completely useless and incapable of acquiring the skills I need to survive. I've found two separate places proving it: one series of articles discussing how you need STEM skills and tech knowledge to be at all employable today, and this quote on another forum I frequent (where a similar topic was being discussed):

Welcome to the IT age, luddites - start coding or die. This is progress.

I'm incapable of coding. I'm incapable of doing math, or learning science in anything more than the most basic fashion. I'm useless and I deserve to die. I will die, before my time, because I'm a useless piece of subhuman trash who's afraid of progress and inherently incapable of keeping up....it's impossible, it's pointless. I'm going to die, I want to die.

Someone turn my brain off please.

Okay, I started breaking down there at the end. But at the same time, the concern is real. If it's really true that someone who isn't STEM-focused is unemployable and useless, I don't know what to do. It doesn't help that some part of me is a little afraid of becoming STEM-focused, for a variety of stupid feeling reasons; despite also being interested. But mostly I know it's beyond me.

I once made a thread on another site asking about careers that don't require any kind of math, since I can't do it. These included art, marketing, writing, and a few other things. Someone even suggested teaching (I would make a horrible teacher). Yet, I don't know, I'm lost. I mean, all I can apply for are ervice jobs, since I have no qualifications (I tried talking about this to a parent who goes on with "You don't know that! You might go in for an interview and the manager will say 'Well, you aren't qualified for this, but we could put you over here'"...no. That doesn't happen any more. And I get screened out before that because every effing job tells you to go online first and my personality sucks) Okay, breathe...

My main point is, what to do? What to do when I'm useless at everything relevant, and even afraid to learn?

Also, I kind of know I'm a luddite at heart. Tech progress irritates me at best and scares the **** out of me at worst. I described elsewhere it's this abject fear - this knowledge - that I can't keep up, never will be able to keep up, and am clingy enough that I don't know if I want to keep up. I'm deeply ashamed of all of this, I know it's bad, so I'm willing to take advice on how to change this as well.

Hopefully this post is coherent.

[LilyD74]

There are times when I feel like I can't possibly keep up with my work load. Like I could never learn what the kids (my word for them) in the next office are doing naturally. When I feel like I would give anything just to care about it again. But ultimately I know that most of that is my poor self-esteem and my need for failure talking. I can't totally ignore those things yet because they are really loud to me, but at least I know that I could ignore them, if I could just figure it out. You don't have to listen to your inner negativity. You're better than that.

[Cat_Lover_58]

I hear you loud and clear! I'm somewhat in the same boat in the sense that I cannot seem to grasp the more technical or computerized systems out there. I've taken some free classes and since there isn't extra time to learn it, I don't retain it.

Let's face it...I am in complete denial. I am old school...more denial...so guess what I do to maintain my grand level of life...I am in the service industry.

You're definitely NOT alone! Cat

[ScientiaOmnisEst]

The problem is feeling incompetent, arguably even more so since I'm part of the techy generation (I'm 21, BTW. I wonder if I come across as older online...which would be funny since I apparently look 4-5 years younger in person, or so I've been told). So many people my age are extremely knowledgeable in STEM, taught themselves how to code as middle schoolers, can discuss the intricacies of the latest discoveries and innovations...and I couldn't even pass college biology 101. I'm basically barred from ever understanding physics since I failed calculus twice.

And let's not even get started about radical innovation and singularities. That **** terrifies me. I've contemplated it, and at bottom I think there's this fear of...losing parts of myself, I guess. Whether it's from having to dispose of my personality and outlook to adapt to a technical world, or the possibility of having my thoughts, memories, and personality jarred and damaged by a neural implant or the mind uploading/linking process, I kind of hope I'm dead before it comes to pass. Fine, I'm a prosophobe. Sue me.

Though right now my anxieties are more leaning towards technological unemployment, and my own prospects of survival. If it really is "start coding or die", or even be a scientist or die...then I'm going to die. And despite the occasional suicidal ideation, I'm not ready to die quite yet.

There's one other problem. I've stumbled on a few articles recently claiming that the most vital skills in the coming years will actually be creative, social, and emotional skills. Which would be great, except I'm so socially useless I've wondered if I have a disorder, and I'm not really creative, except in modes of verbal expression. Only now am I learning to do basic communication comfortably, without overplanning. And when I write, the message isn't much; nothing especially profound or interesting. So I'm a bit lost.

[Nimitri]

I hear you. I'm of this society and I tried to do a work just to find black hat techniques for search engines. I studied for over 10 hours and do 8 hour practice. My result: 22/66 and 26/60. And while I had done my fair share of computer work, I'm horrible at it. I have a degree with Mycrosoft about Window and Excel and I can't tell you how I passed or how do they work and I'm over a month in a course in coding and I have not passed the first week.

Honestly, I would give a try to be a teacher. Not saying is because it easy, but because it force you to socialize. Is not about becoming a one man party, but working with people is paramount and it will train you, little by little, in how to deal with different kind of people all around.

You could try by starting to give personal teaching classes. You know, of what you are an expert (and I believe you must be an expert in something) to one or two kids, just to try it.

But the good news is that, while new technologies are advancing faster and faster, they are rarely being implemented with that kind of speed in workplaces, specially those with the goverment. People like things that are true and tested and we are not the only ones who prefer to get one technology and stick with it. Forget about coding, just try to know how to use Office, Drive or Dropbox, Facebook and if you have people close to you, if they can teach you how do they manage computer in their workplace.

I hope your day is better. See ya.

[cara11]

I am considerably older but nonetheless, I can relate. I am beyond useless with anything math or science. I'm pretty good on the computer but only as a user; don't ask me how the damn thing actually works.

Questions I would pose to you: What do you LIKE and like to do? What skills do you have--even if you think they are not "career" material? Lately I have been advising younger people--God, I feel old when I say things like that--to go for skilled training, i.e., mechanics, nursing or medical of some kind, cooking, plumbing, whatever. Those type of jobs will always be needed and are no doubt more interesting than sitting in a bland cubicle working for a big corporation. After 30+ years of office work, I kick myself for not learning a trade. I think I would have been far happier.

Just an idea, something to mull.

[Superzombiechic]

Personal care giver or cna. No math,science, general public...just crazy old people and diapers. It's like taking care of really old Winkley babies...unless you have a bad gag reflex than don't do it.

[psyco123]

If u ever feel that u don't have any skill then its absolutely wrong. Everyone is gifted with some or other kind. if u think that u don't have skill, just list down ur hobbies that u like to do. I know there are very famous personalities who have turned their hobbies into business and earned respect and employment for themselves. there would be times when u will be alone and happy, utilise the time to think and list down the activities that u can do fruitfully..

take care love u

[stewartmays1]

sounds like you are throwing all your eggs into one basket if you feal you are not part of the tech generation find something else that means something to you