I do LOVE technology but...

Copyright TB, 2006

Since moving to NY in 2000, I have seen the technological evolution unfold. The photography world has dramatically altered its standards. Most of the self-printing labs I spent long nights in have now morphed into digital scanning and printing labs. The lab I take my color negative film had 24 employees when I was an assistant. Today they have 2 and have literally cut their hours in half. Back then every job I took was shot on film (and expected to be) and every single photographer I worked for shot transparency. It wasn't until about late 2001 early 2002 when it became normal to use digital. Most people had no idea what they were doing but that soon changed.

These days it seems everyone, sans myself, is a digital expert. I have a small Casio point and shoot (which I can handle) but anything that involves an ICC profile makes me instantly channel somebody with tourettes. I do own a cell phone but can't imagine it doing anything other then transmitting or receiving a call. No PDA or iPod for me. I am fascinated by it all though -- I love the amazing things that are helping to change the world.

OK, so maybe I want an iPod but not one that plays TV shows or movies. I don't even want one with a screen! I would like the ipod shufle for books-on-tape and the very few times I get the urge to listen to music on the subway or street. Don't get me wrong, music is my second favorite thing in the world, but it doesn't top the thoughts that rush through my mind when I am on the streets of NY.

I want to understand technology better because I do LOVE it. It's just so easy to get frustrated by the misuse of such an amazing tool. So much good has come from it but the opposite is ten fold . I just hope that one day we will see that technology truly has the ability to change the world. Rather then using it to exploit commercialism or consumerism or money or wars or drugs, etc.

Inspiration for this post is thanks to a confusing conversation had by Jason, Darren and I last night. Thanks for your obsessive love for all things tech J.