Excursions

I’m from a generation that is spoilt by the usability of a mouse. Is it better? Simpler? I won’t comment on that. May be the intuitive interactions with touchscreen interfaces are faster, more sensible for a larger demographic. But I always find them a bit cumbersome, limiting.

I’m always on the look out for some popular, light TV series - comedy, mystery, drama - that I can wind my day down with. I do like intense or intelligent watches, but they are not for those times when you want no exercise for your mind. Watch now and forget. Any recommendations?

I have been using iPad for so long now, and still had no idea that the mode of the keyboard can be changed to “Undock” - basically make it float at the center of the screen. Who uses that?

I had completely forgotten that Flickr was acquired by SmugMug and had been their property - makes so much sense. Of course, I don’t think Yahoo can run anything any longer.

That brand has faced such a horrible downfall - it was a shining example of the power of Web.

The more I think about the account from Andrey Sitnik on how a month without computers helped him, affected him, the more I feel I need to attempt this abstinence from technology, at least at some smaller scale. I’m curious to find for myself my ability to stay digital-free.

Flickr free accounts are changing →

There was a time when I was in love with this service. It was before Yahoo ruined it. I think it is a positive sign that the people running the service now have decided to go back to its roots and focus on Pro consumers.

This is such a fascinating read — so detailed on how Andrey Sitnik planned for and went through this arduous experiment.

Then I asked myself if ‘technological fasting’ could do one good in modern society. Technology has changed the world in the blink of an eye, leaving us no time to reflect on it. What if a month without modern technology could ‘travel’ you to the past? What if there is a way you could compare your technology-relying self to what you once were?

It is really curious to read how the analogue tools — for his camera, his watch, a map, a compass and of course a notepad and a pen - were key in taking him through. Of course, it needs planning to keep your brain busy without a stream of digital updates and reads to chomp on. To keep feeding it with activities.

Boredom was the thing that scared me the most, so I did a lot of preparation: took a few thick books, drew up a schedule (when I leave one place for another) and made up several evening rituals to follow every day. The internet-less reality turned out to be a boredom-less one, too. Recreation does not require anything special—in the end, you can always go out and hunt for good photos.

I wish I could undertake such an abstinence from the technology around me. Not because I hate my current state (doesn’t mean I do not even). But because I wish I too could arrive at a conclusion very similar to Andrey’s.

I came to the conclusion that IT hadn’t changed the world around, but created another, a parallel one. The reason we are always nervous and never have enough time is that we are living two lives now. It’s without a doubt difficult, yet how interesting it is to be living two times as much!

Do read this — even though we know most deep down the ills of our constant connectedness, it is eye-opening to read someone record his experiences. If possible, we should take Andrey’s advice. I, for sure, am seriously considering it.

I would not recommend digital fasting to everyone, but a temporary abstinence of some sort seems a very right thing to do

I finished reading Becoming Steve Jobs today. It told few wonderful stories of Steve - chose to focus on sides which the Issacson book didn’t. It presented Steve - the creator, the leader.

I believe you to need to read both the books to understand this complex man better. (★★★★)

Growing up in India, I got introduced to Halloween as a festival pretty late - wasn’t until I was in my late teens. Sounds so erroneous now as my 5 year old daughter celebrated this curious festival today in her school, dressed as a wicked witch. The world is indeed shrinking 🎃

Every now and then, I come across stories that makes me realize how little I know about things around me — apparently the iPhone we use everyday? Yeah, they are allergic to Helium. A tiny molecule “can turn your phone temporarily into a paperweight”. Fascinating.