These “Computer Wizards” tell stories of a strange phenomenon where computer technology just works better in their presence. Computers are supposed to run on logic and physics, not spooky whim. But I 100% believe these guys because I suffer from the opposite phenomenon. If I get anywhere near a malfunctioning computer or really any piece of complex electronics they will get worse or just altogether freeze. Anyway, here are the stories of these computer wizards:
(via: reddit)
Are you a magical Computer Wizard? Have you ever experienced anything like this? let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to IT…
Here’s your badge and a link to Google. [It knows all and will solve most problems for you through the power of “someone, somewhere has already run into this same issue and fixed it.”]
it’s called “technician syndrome”(atleast in swedish) and as a tech it’s annoying as all hell. sure, easy fix, just show up and it works, but really unsatisfying.
Happens all the time, and most of the time I didn’t do a damn thing but go over to the machine to look at the error message or whatever it was doing when it acted up.
I arrive at the persons cube/desk, and ask them to show me what they did to cause the problem before… works without issue. If it’s not that, it’s operator headspace.
I call it my magnetic personality, but I think it’s the reputation I have with the machines… sometimes I think I hear them whisper “Behave! He knows how to use the command line”.
I once fixed a game in the arcade I was working in (yes, yes, I’m ancient) by staring it in the CRT and telling it sternly “don’t make me get out the oscilloscope.”
I am this. My wife has notoriously bad luck with computers and will get the most bizarre errors. As soon as I approach the offending machine, it behaves as though nothing was ever wrong at all. I have also performed this function for my entire family, several friends, and multiple strangers.
I could’ve written that first one. At my two previous jobs, people came to me before calling the help desk – computer issue, printer issue, program issue, etc. Most of the time I could quickly figure out how to resolve the issue. Other times all I had to do was stand and watch as I asked them to show me what was going wrong… And suddenly it was all working fine. I’d joke that I’m a technomage.
I usually have terrible luck with computers, but a friend from work was trying to renew her license plate online, and when I came over to see what was giving her trouble, it magically started working. I was not allowed to step away for a few minutes while she finished what she was doing. 🤷♀️
My sister is an actress and remarkable bad at technology. I’m not sure if it is her magnetic personalityy which screws with computers and phones, or if she just has Cassanova fingers – she screws everything she touches! 😛