Am I a neo-luddite?

[quikchange]

For somebody who makes a living working in hi-tech, there is a remarkably long list of modern technologies that I avoid using: cars, TVs, alarm clocks, VCRs, voice mail, painkillers, antibiotics, microwaves. That said, I do use computers, a cell-phone, the Internet, climate control, electric lighting, trains, aeroplanes, a digital camera and a hi-

Comments

[enigmaticdan]

So what's your rationale for not using microwaves?

[quikchange]

I like eating fresh food.

But I also prefer eating cold food out of the fridge over microwaved food. I'm not sure why though.

[lambda_calculus]

Does microwaving food make it any less fresh? I'd imagine refrigeration would be just as sub-optimal.

I have noticed that certain food has a nicer texture if you take it out of the fridge and eat it at room temperature. I also find that sometimes the texture that microwaving food provides makes the eating of the meal a more comforting experience ...

[quikchange]

What I meant was that I try to avoid using the microwave to cook "instant" food because I prefer food that hasn't been overly processed. However, I do occasionally use the microwave. And eating cold food is really just a matter of taste. I even prefer eating cold pizza over hot pizza.

[ramou]

No, you're a smarmy eco-luddite :P

Biological messages were valid in another time/world. They're still somewhat valid here, but many can surviveably be ignored, and in fact it can be beneficial to do so.

I take painkillers often. I'm on some right now (and boy do I wish they were working faster). I know that I'm in pain. I know why I'm in pain. I GET THE MESSAGE! However, we never evolved a quick means to shut this crap off, so I gladly resort to whatever the hell can let me sleep at night, or focus on my work, or whatever I need to do.

Can't argue the VCR and voice-mail crap, though. That is too complex! I think it was designed by monkeys.

[quikchange]

Have you figured out what is causing the chronic pain?

[ramou]

Lots of stuff. Working out intensively (hey, just sore muscles is enough if you have it constantly, which I do), too much time on the computer (even with breaks and all the ergonomic crap in the world, I STILL spend fuckloads of time). Paintball left me sore for days. Biking leaves me sore (just got some gloves to help with the caluses on the hands). Stress about work and life cause various things that make me sore (like heartburn or back pain). Heck, if I eat too much like last night, I get a tummy ache (which cause headaches), and if I don't eat enough, I get hunger headaches (my body is still adjusting so I don't know exactly where I'm supposed to be at now, I just try to eat a lil' bit often and drink water whenever possible

[grosskur]

Can someone explain the voicemail thing? AIUI, you just dial a number, wait for the beep, talk, and hang up. Doesn't seem any harder than hitting “compose,” typing (or selecting) a recipient, typing a subject line, typing a message, and hitting “send.”

Also, how are VCRs more complex than DVD players? You put the tape in, and press the “play” button. VCRs have the added advantage of not forcing you to wade through dozens of sickening animated menus to get to the main feature---you just hold down ``fast forward'' until it starts.

Tony, my feeling is that you don't like using multiple, competing technologies that are (mostly) substitutes for one another. You've got an oven; you don't need a microwave or a mini toaster-oven. You've got a bike and two feet; you don't need a car, a scooter, a skateboard, or rollerblades. The provided functionality overlaps enough to make the use of multiple alternatives seem inefficient.

[quikchange]

I'l grant you that the last point is true and that even applies to things beyond just that; It's a result of my queest for simplicity.

About voicemail: I was talking about checking messages that people have left me; there's no standard procedure for it and I hate having to learn unnecessarily complex systems for it. Also, voice mail is linear and I process informatiion so much faster than people talk that I get bored listening to messages. When reading text I'm not limited by linearity because I can read it as fast as I can manage.

Maybe VCRs suck less now but every time I've tried to use one it never "just worked". When I stick a DVD into my Mac, it does.

[tangbu]

I dunno, a hi-fi is kind of 20th century these days. I know you have an iPod, why do you still need a hi-fi?

[quikchange]

Perhaps I used the wrong term. I was referrring to my 5.1 surround sound system.