Digital Native???

Am I a Digital Native?
By all the readings and the video I should be classified as a Digital Native, but I will admit I have written most of this assignment on a sheet of paper before publishing through the keyboard.
I have refused to embrace the technology I grew up around. I naively believed computers were a passing fad and therefore went about living my life in denial. Of course I used computers and video games to supplement my personal entertainment, but I have never felt the need to understand the digital language. The value of instant gratification provided by technologies was never very enticing. This is exemplified in my personal e-mail account; I can honestly say I never checked my college e-mail account the entire four years I attended school. There are thousands of unread e-mails in my account and I am still here, my world has not imploded and I hold a degree in my hand. I think the issue stems from my priorities. By all accounts I am an essentialist and will possibly struggle to expand my appreciation for technologies and the instant gratification that inundates our nation’s youth.
The one thing I agree with is the lack of reflection our youth experiences today. When students flit from one topic to another constantly it results in a never ending chain of entertainment. This poses the question, do students take time out of their lives to reflect upon what they believe and why? I personally have put these issues at the top of my life priority list, and maybe I am inferring that everyone else should adopt my priorities. I understand the fallacy here of imposing my views upon others, but the development of character relies upon self reflection.
I do not advocate my personal approach to dealing with the tech world because it makes it very difficult to communicate with students who learn and live through technologies. These articles do present some hope for educators like myself, “I can change.” Neurological research through the study of rats shows that brains are malleable throughout life and change based upon experiences. Our thinking patterns can change depending upon our experiences and the activities we take the time to concentrate on. I have already started walking down the road of technological understanding. For example: I showed my spouse the website I created and she was stunned. She said, “You really are growing up!” I will take the patronizing in stride mainly because I deserve it. I have avoided my digital native heritage for long enough, so it is time to step out of my hole and embrace technology for the sake of holding the attention of students who increasingly obtain information through tech media.