Changing the Game

I have been thinking about technology again. With the release of the iPad by Apple, it got me thinking again about technology and the changes that bring it about and what technology changes. With the advent of eBooks and now Apple getting into the game, the publishing world is going to change fast. I really think it will, just like the music industry changed. I believe Apple has that kind of influence and that kind of innovation that changes society. Is that good? I don't know, but the iPad will change things, of that, I am sure.

You know, the speed of change is breath taking, and now I sound old. Maybe being older is recognizing that life is all about change, maybe I am just strange. Some days, I have that whole, get off my lawn you retched kids mentality. Other days, I am giddy with all the new, shiny tech. Maybe I should just ride the wave, enjoy the show. Sometimes, I rebel and say screw it and put the radio on an am station. But the new tech, like eReaders and all of that, is just too cool

When I was a wee lad, reading about Frank and Joe and solving mysteries, I would write stories with a pencil and paper. I would put the radio on an am station, listen to the Tigers. There is nothing like listening to a baseball game on the radio, it is just one of my things. Then I got an electric typewriter and I punched away on the keys, writing school papers and if I was lucky, writing about rocket ships and laser guns with cool aliens. Then, much to my dismay, I grew up. Life does that to you.

When I was in college, I was tip tapping away on a computer keyboard, doing school papers and on occasion, writing the fun stuff. Compact discs were out and I love CD's, so much easier to transport then vinyl, better sound quality too. With a CD, if they don't remix it, you can sometimes here the background noise from the recording that you could miss on vinyl. Ahhhh, technology. So I had MTV on the tele or a cd playing, ensconced in front of the monitor.

At the end of the college era, I met better 1/2 and used pen and napkins to scribble poetry on at lunch time, to give to her. I had upgraded, sort of. I still bought huge hard back books, still got most of my entertainment from a source other then the 'puter, and life was grand. I had upgraded to using a 'puter to write, so in reality, I haven't scribbled a line of prose or poetry in a very long time. Well, that is not entirely true, I do have a few napkins around from lunch time at work. If I got a good idea munching a sandwich, well I used whatever was at hand. It still works.

Now I listen to music, watch music videos, movies and even television on the 'puter. I play games, read the newspaper even, all on this box in front of me. Is that good? In some ways yes, some ways no. The exponential explosion of information can be a good thing. But I do miss going out and digging the newspaper out of a puddle, shaking a fist at the paper boy and deciphering the Sunday morning comics. I miss the poor reception television of my youth, when the man of the house was an expert rabbit ear arranger. I miss static filled baseball games on the radio because the weather was poor. If the cable modem goes down, I'll shake a fist at the cable guy, but it feels.. hollow.

I love the new stuff, the ease of use, the accessibility of what ever you wander into. That is what makes the new stuff, like the eBook, the iPad and all that jazz so cool. But, and of course there is always a but, it feels too easy. That is where the trouble lies, my fellow wanders. If technology makes everything easier, where is the satisfaction you garner from working, and I mean working to tune in a Televison or radio, to having to hold a massive tome while reading. Sometimes, easy is not always better.

Being of a dual nature, I will get the new tech, get more eBooks and probably an iPad, but see I have an advantage. I do remember the stone age, when you had to work for your entertainment, work hard to pay for your leisure, even I dare say, work hard at your leisure. I am cautiously excited, and being adventurous(sometimes) I'll give it a go. I wander if the iPad and the old creek can see eye to eye? I may just have to find out.

Balance wanderers, balance.

Comments

[Brian Hitsman]

Personally change will always happen and a lot of people hate to change. I have always accepted change, from movies to work. At some point in time things will change. Maybe for the better maybe for the worst.

As for writing in the old days. I still have my 5 page story that I wrote in 6th grade. It was about PIRATES! Friends, Pirates, AD and D and Superheroes were my life back then. The more things change the more things stay the same. =)

[Patrick]

Very true. I still write using a pen, but not so much anymore, my handwriting is terrible! Besides I type, clearly, much faster then I can hand write.

[better 1/2]

I suspect that back in the dark corners of the pit of doom... er... closet those bits a poetry on napkins that you scribbled for "better 1/2" are carefully tucked away, in page protectors. cause she gets all mushy when guys write her poetry , especially on napkins during a rousing game of euchre 500 in the creature corner .