Communication Gadgets

You probably own one. I'm sorry. You no longer have enough solitude to have a relationship with yourself. The basic human need to connect with other people has become an addictive obsession which has evolved into an aversion to be alone with one's thoughts, even for a moment. I observe people drooling over them every day. I recently took a nice hike in upstate New York, only to have it ruined by hearing an idiotic ring pierce the sounds of nature and a woman shrieking something about beer.

I don't own a cell phone. On a recent trip I found it convenient to have access to my friend's, but convenience has become some sort of goal at all costs, even when it backfires. There are too many examples to list here, but in general it creates a laziness which makes people very spoiled and unwilling to do some pretty simple, minor things.

Watching people text with their mouths hanging open is like some satire of the future. I miss people. Whatever is walking around is more akin to self important mental patients.

I like the reverse of the old adage "Necessity is the mother of invention". I believe if they invent it, you will end up needing it. TVs in cars, ipods, blackberries, cell phones that play music and take photos...I don't care if they have created new ways to have "fun". They are soulsuckers.

I am not a technophobe. Obviously I have a computer, and a number of modern conveniences. I just think there's a limit to how much you need to avoid yourself.