Easy, Convenient, Reliable, Fast

Do you love your gadgets and the simplicity of getting something done quickly? Me too. I love my gadgets. Never far away, when I’m away from my Mac Book are my iPod, iPad and HTC phone and between them I can do anything – well, that’s the idea.

But; Faster, easier? Really?

This morning I wanted to read a book. Well, actually, I wanted to listen to the book. It’s one of my favourite books I listen to when things feel like they are getting on top of me to the point I want to shout “STOP” (we all get there from time to time, right?); Richard Carlson “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… and it’s all small stuff“.

Headphones plugged into the trusty iPod Touch, into the music app > AudioBooks… Scroll down, back up, must have missed it. Back down – up. Nope. Not there. Erm… WTF?

Ah! Well where is it, then?

The paperback version smiles at me from the bookshelf as I try to remember where I bought it’s audio sibling. Amazon, Audible or iTunes? Hmmm. I know, I’ll search my emails for the receipt. 

By now, of course, the moment has gone and my mind is a little flustered because I should be hearing Mr Carlson reminding me that “it’s all small stuff” by now but, instead, thanks to the “ease, speed and convenience” of tech, I’m void of calming reminders in my ears and instead I am stressing about where I bought it, can I find it, will I have to buy it again…

Meanwhile the paperback smiles at me from the bookshelf.

Found it! Phew. Sure enough I had bought it with iTunes. I’ll fire up my PC (no I can’t use my Mac for this – long story) and re-synchronise. Ah. I’m being offered an iOS update for my iPod – do I want to sit here for half hour or do I wnat to get on? I’ll skip the update, for now.

There’s the 2 parts of the book, right there in iTunes ‘Purchased’ items. But, ah, a problem. Can’t locate the files. What?

Don’t worry, I know where they are. I’ll tell iTunes where to look. Over here on drive ‘D’! Meanwhile the paperback is itching to jump off the bookshelf at me.

Files located. Re-synchronise… Done.

About 20 minutes after deciding to read/listen to one of my favourite books the paperback version sulks back under it’s light covering of dust as I re-attach my ear-buds and – finally – hit play.

The great thing about technology is that it is so much easier, more convenient, faster and more reliable than we ever knew in the history of man… Isn’t it?

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