rocky has been shopping for a new laptop ever since he discovered that his 5-year old Macbook is obsolete--can't load the latest Mac operating system and therefore can't access the Cloud and can't download the latest applications. So, lately he's been reading a dizzying number of laptop reviews wherein one gets the impression that a one-pound difference in laptops makes a huge difference to people. It's like an additional pound could potentially break your back.
He was reminded of hiking the Inca Trail and watching the well-heeled travellers in expensive, orthopedic, ankle- and arch-supporting hiking boots carrying their sleeping bag, clothes, energy bars, trail mix, and water bottles in fancy internal-frame backpacks. While the tents, pots, pans, cooking and eating supplies, food, including fresh eggs, and shovels (to dig temporary latrines for the tourists at each camp) and tools--loads probably exceeding 80 pounds--were carried wrapped inside woolen blankets on the backs of native porters wearing sandals. Needless to say, even with the heavy loads the porters travelled a lot faster, arriving to set up camp a couple of hours before the tourists. At the time, rocky found the juxtaposition amusing.
But as he read the umpteenth review about how an extra pound shed from a Macbook Air will save your back as you carry your laptop for hours during the day, he couldn't help but think our civilization is doomed. Maybe the Mayans were speaking metaphorically when they predicted the end of the world.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment