Surely by now we have heard it all before; modern gadgets and gizmos have turned us into a race of helpless innocents, blissfully unaware how susceptible we are to the vagaries of electronica, until it (you can add the "sh" prefix to that "it") happens to us. Just observe what happens when the power goes out. We find ourselves running around throwing light switches and trying in vain to turn things on out of habit, as if our meager minds can't wrap themselves around the concept that things won't work if there's no electricity to feed them. At such times, we suckle ourselves on our battery-powered devices until the crisis has passed, and we find ourselves back in bosom of modern convenience. I am easily as guilty as anyone of this insanity, prone to temper tantrums and fits of pique when computers, printers, and/or internet technology don't behave as expected. The dented top of my computer case bears ample evidence of my disfavor, and would seem to put the lie to any claims I may make toward achieving serenity.
This is precisely why I admire this low-tech adjunct to an existing high-tech item. If you have ever despaired over the lame sound from your iPhone (or other smart phones), check this out. When I first saw it, I thought it was one of those ear-bells (I know there's another word for it, but it escapes me for the moment) that oldsters hold up to their ear; like unto an old timey version of a hearing aid, but less subtle by far. With this thing, though, the idea is that you insert your newfangled com device into the small end, and it acts like an amplifier for listening to music, conference calls, and so forth. I like, too, the elegant form of it. Even if it sounds like an old-time gramophone, it looks so cool!
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