I spend to much time thinking (oh no!) about what the future holds in computer-land, and how it relates to me. (actually I don’t give it enough thought)
I can’t predict where the internet or computer software design is heading, but from the looks of things, I am glad I got to enjoy the early days of computers and the internet. Mind you, I am not pining for the “good ole days.”
I so enjoyed building computers from the ground up. Taking them apart and repairing them, trouble shooting program flaws and making them behave as intended. Helping friends learn the “how to”, those days are almost done, I now take a back seat to the newer generation and their ideas. I have never been a good back seat driver.
Once upon a time I swore I would never own a laptop computer, that time is way gone. Just because I embrace new technology doesn’t mean I embrace the way it is being used to circumvent my privacy and freedom and safety.
We have gone from enjoying the simplicity of searching for the meaning of an obscure word and quick communication to one of defense, or how to avoid cyber road pot-holes. The sorry thing about that is, today’s generation accepts loss of privacy and freedom as a normal thing. With one quick click and you can buy almost anything, and saved in memory on a distant computer is your purchase decision. It’s not like when I went to Joe’s Hardware and brought some fuses and Joe just restocked the bin, knowing I would return for more in the future. Today, somewhere out there in ether land is a cookie reminding my computer and others what, when, and how I paid for what I bought. Yes that can be considered a convenience, but it comes at a cost.
Old Benjamin said:
“Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Today that quote often comes up in the context of new technology and concern for privacy and freedom.
(typically police or government surveillance, but we know it’s not limited to that)
In actuality, the quote has nothing to do with either, but it’s fitting. Famous quotes and sayings are often taken out of context and used for a singular or biased purpose. I am guilty of this because sometimes I do use words of others to convey my thoughts in what I feel is a more succinct manner. In this case that might not be correct.
I deserve my liberty, freedom and safety using new technology. I employ what I have at hand to provide safety for my liberty and freedom. Brighter minds than mine might sneer at my band-aide approach of providing such, still, in the absence of leadership and corporate responsibility, my way has merits, just as duct tape does.
When Apollo13 was in dire straights of returning home safely, it was duct tape that saved the day. Dark on the outside, light on the inside, it binds the universe together. I always loved that description of duct tape.
It’s funny when you think of it, why would they take duct tape on a space mission in the first place.
Actually the duct tape was intended as a safety device. It was to be used in case one of the astronauts got a little to space happy, just tape them up. A straight jacket of sorts (true) but, instead of being used as a restraint, it was used as a band-aide to hold together a devised C02 air cleaner which allowed them to breath clean air and return home safely.
I reserve my right to use duct tape to preserve my safety and serve my liberty and I think, to retain my sanity. I have no desire to find out what it feels like to be tied up with it but I think that’s closer than I know. I hope the next generation finds new and better uses for it, but from what I see today, I ain’t holding my breath.
If none of this makes sense, just chalk it up as an old man’s rant and metaphoric ramblings.
Nice to have a room to do that in.
I now return to my 2% milk and low sodium apple pie.
Thanks for the response.
