The day my computer diedWritten by Jesse S. Somer
I’ve always been a skeptic when it comes to technology, especially computers and Information Age. I used to think it was crazy how people would put their total faith into a machine, some even more so than in their faith in humanity. Human beings are flawed, imperfect creatures. I say this in a positive way because if humanity were completely positive and perfect we would have nothing to learn, and life would lose its vitality and mystery. Computers come from same universal reality as humanity, so I believe that we should look at technology in a similar context. Computers are not infallible pieces of nature’s perfection.I’ve come to learn that computers are great tools for human society. They can be functional in innumerable areas of everyday existence, helping to simplify many aspects of our lives. However, as today I discovered my computer had ‘died’ after a lightning strike had hit my house and subsequent power surge, realization came that a complete faith in our progressive technology is simply not practical. I’m not saying that like Luddites of early era of industrialization we need to destroy this stuff, I’m just saying that we must realize that like all things in life, technology can and will become sick and die on occasion. Working at an Internet Web Hosting company I have been witness to many of these illnesses, and it has been very fortunate that human ‘doctors’ have been present to undertake surgery.
| | Procrastination EmancipationWritten by Deborah Carraro
It's early January as I sit down to research and write this newsletter. I launch my web browser, surf over to MSN.com, surprised to find feature article displaying a picture of Santa Claus with caption "It's not too late to have your presents arrive on time." Somebody's been procrastinating - either Bill Gates or me (maybe I didn't refresh my browser). Or maybe my computer is trying to give me hint to stop procrastinating and set about task of writing this newsletter. Nah... Bill Gates must be guilty one!When it comes to procrastination, most of us are quick to acknowledge problem and are s...l...o...w... to do something about it. I surf over to dictionary.com and look up definition of procrastination, hoping it means something other than I'm lazy. pro·cras·ti·nate: v. intr. To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness. v. tr. To postpone or delay needlessly. Hmmm... this is getting serious. I better stop shillyshallying and get some help. Didn't realize I was delaying needlessly. Off I go in search of solutions to my problems. It doesn't matter that it's now lunch time - no point in delaying. Ignoring my grumbling stomach, I search relentlessly for magic pill to make me stop procrastinating. You see, this isn't first time I've procrastinated but I'm hoping it will be last. Three hours later, I'm a procrastination expert. My eyes are blurry, my head is spinning but I'm committed to a ten step program to stop procrastinating. I have been freed from oppression - I have broken bonds and liberated myself from control of procrastination.
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