We tech-savvy people think ctrl-f is so basic we can barely conceive how could anyone not know it. How could they not?
Somewhere there is a discussion group where people can't believe people don't know you can wear something other than geeky looking clothes. They can't believe someone would wear baggy jeans, a baggy t-shirt they got free at a conference, and white sneakers.
To say other people don't care is accurate, but doesn't do justice to the diversity of interests out there.
They have other priorities.
Yes, some are lazy or daft, but while you figured out how to use ctrl-f other people were learning to ski, climbing a mountain, jumping out of a plane, learning to dress fashionably, picking up girls, picking up guys, teaching their kids piano, etc. Even the lazy ones probably enjoyed being lazy and don't care about streamlining their searches. And the daft ones, well, if they have a learning disability or something like that, that's their story.
Viewing people having other interests as something to learn from and celebrate makes the world a different place. The humility that comes with it leads to much more learning about the world.
You're comparing basic computer use to hobbies. That may have been somewhat accurate 20 years ago; it isn't anymore.
They don't care, but the lack of caring is getting to the point where it's more like they don't care how to use a shower (wow I can't believe I've been taking ice-cold showers all this time!) or drive a car, etc.
Half my friends don't know or care how to drive a car. I'm 32, don't have a licenses, and can probably count on my fingers the number of times I've genuinely wished I had one. Just because something is vital to you and your social circle doesn't make it universally true.
It isn't vital to me either and I don't own one, living as I do in an area with great mass transit and where parking the thing would cost more than housing in a lot of places. But to be an adult and not know how to drive, regardless of whether you actually have a car, is a pretty shitty situation. I went on vacation recently and it was great to be able to drive, because the area we were in demanded it.
None of this addresses my point, which is that computing is an essential skill. Are you disputing that as well?
"None of this addresses my point, which is that computing is an essential skill."
My first example of something people do that some make a priority and learn to do well was wearing clothing and being stylish. Members of this community have ready access to dress stylishly but I'd wager few do. Somewhere some stylish people can't believe they do that in the same way many people here are suprised people don't know ctrl-f.
That was my impression anyway after doing about four years of IT and lab support for student government and activity groups at a large UC in the '90s.
The ones who did were bound for engineering or science, or were simply practically curious.