It’s been a few weeks since I have written in Edge City Post. My co-blogger wasn’t very happy with that! Well I have been busy – with the festivals (Durga Puja and Diwali and many occasions in between and outside…), enjoying the weather (alas, the pleasant fall in temperature has been accompanied by rise in visible pollution levels in Delhi!), saying goodbyes (both physically – as friends have been moving out of the country - and mentally) and – this is the best part – engrossed in gadgets. I have come to realise tinkering with gadgets have displaced my interactions with people - somewhat.
When did this happen? I always believed I am not fond of machines – I drive a self-owned car because it is convenient (and I refuse to give-up my now-antiquated-car), retain an 8-year old TV because it’s a good ‘timepass’ (to watch Hollywood movies once in a while), listen to music in a non-fancy system because – well I like music a lot, and so on and so forth. When a few years ago a colleague told me that he noticed I am fond of gadgets, I protested.
Lately though I couldn’t help notice I am increasingly drawn to gadgets. So much so now I admit (to myself) I may actually be turning into one of those ‘gadget geeks’. I have given in to the temptation – changed my outdated portable MP3 player for an iPod classic, bought a second laptop – a MacBook Air, bought a DSLR camera and cool lenses to go with it and there are plans for more…
Why did this happen? Is it because it’s easier to be with gadgets than with people? They don’t talk back so can’t hurt! Is it because these gizmos are a fad now? Have I slipped into the habit of keeping up with Joneses – finally (to the horror of my pretentiously-intellectual-self)? Or is it because these are truly innovative, convenient and fun?
Quite honestly, I still rank near bottom in owning and - more importantly – understanding gadgets. But I am improving! A sign of integration into modernity? May be. I am not worried yet. When these ‘tools’ replace the supposedly more virtuous and fulfilling activities such as reading or writing, I should sell everything and move to a remote village ‘in search of true self’. Ok, joking! But I wouldn’t want any electronic and electrical product to take over my life. They should remain tools designed to amuse and assist. Oh, I still refuse to buy a Kindle or any other e-book reader or an LED high-definition television set ...
Anyhow I'll leave you with this blurry photo taken with my new (but a modest) cell phone of few such non-human companions.
Photos by Sanchita C
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