Fear of technology - 1990s phobia.

Fear of technology may be the phobia of the 1990s, according to a nationwide survey by Dell Computer Corp. Despite the U.S.'s long-standing lead in technical innovation, 55% of all Americans remain resistant--even phobic--when it comes to taking advantage of technology in their everyday lives. One-fourth of all adults never have used a computer, set a VCR to record a television show, or even programmed favorite stations on a car radio.

Technical temperaments vary across generations, with teens more technically literate than adults. Ninety-two percent of teens are comfortable using a variety of technical devices, from answering machines and VCRs to compact-disc players and computers, compared with 74% of adults.

Adults are more anxious about using computers than many other technical products--23% are nervous about operating a computer on their own, more than three times the number of teens who are uneasy in front of a keyboard. In contrast, teens are more confident using a computer than utilizing an answering machine.

Despite their...