We humans are tool makers, shaping our environment. Tools shape us, too, often imperceptibly and with unintended consequences. Can we shape our shapers?
No doubt that our digital tools shape our behavior in their default mode - we have to purposely change to custom settings to avoid this. But on the other hand Ì'm a fan of multi purpose tools, even if I don't use each capability.
I admit I like 'em, too. But it is so easy to be sucked into feeling a need to /use/ them all the time. That is the paradox. My phone, for example (a Samsung slab), I use mainly for checking emails and messages. As a "calling" device it's pretty useless to me. A shift in my behavior has taken place over the years -- I used to love talking on the phone with people. Now it's not as useful, perhaps because my ears are less effective at hearing! Now, I find messaging is very efficient.
But I do get sucked into other areas. Twitter (before I just removed myself from it); Pinterest, for the images (not the hairdo ideas); and a couple dozen bookmarked websites.
Who'd have thought that car repair and such wrenching would be a thing to do in VR! I have enough trouble in real life. But ... but a game! Currently a fingernail on each of my hands is bruised and discolored from various abuses I've endured from cars and machines. I wave my hands in class, and I wonder if the students think I've been using fingernail polish.
Well, we'll see how it comes together. Needs some fuel system work, transmission might be toast, and it lacks some safety features. Like a roll cage. Son says earliest is December, but he's got doubts. At least the garage will cool off in fall and winter. There's an event in South Carolina.
I do know that the car has behaved well up at VIR. It would limp now, though.
Ah, VIR! That’s certainly on my bucket list. I’m prepping my car for a trip next week up to a place called Area 27 in British Columbia. With luck, there’s a story in it.
Thanks for this fascinating post! It made me think of Nietzsche’s saying that goes something like: our writing tools are working on our thoughts...
No doubt that our digital tools shape our behavior in their default mode - we have to purposely change to custom settings to avoid this. But on the other hand Ì'm a fan of multi purpose tools, even if I don't use each capability.
I admit I like 'em, too. But it is so easy to be sucked into feeling a need to /use/ them all the time. That is the paradox. My phone, for example (a Samsung slab), I use mainly for checking emails and messages. As a "calling" device it's pretty useless to me. A shift in my behavior has taken place over the years -- I used to love talking on the phone with people. Now it's not as useful, perhaps because my ears are less effective at hearing! Now, I find messaging is very efficient.
But I do get sucked into other areas. Twitter (before I just removed myself from it); Pinterest, for the images (not the hairdo ideas); and a couple dozen bookmarked websites.
Indeed, some tools are great for wasting time.
You might appreciate WRENCH VR: http://www.wrenchgame.com/
Who'd have thought that car repair and such wrenching would be a thing to do in VR! I have enough trouble in real life. But ... but a game! Currently a fingernail on each of my hands is bruised and discolored from various abuses I've endured from cars and machines. I wave my hands in class, and I wonder if the students think I've been using fingernail polish.
Can’t wait to see photos of the car in action!
Well, we'll see how it comes together. Needs some fuel system work, transmission might be toast, and it lacks some safety features. Like a roll cage. Son says earliest is December, but he's got doubts. At least the garage will cool off in fall and winter. There's an event in South Carolina.
I do know that the car has behaved well up at VIR. It would limp now, though.
Ah, VIR! That’s certainly on my bucket list. I’m prepping my car for a trip next week up to a place called Area 27 in British Columbia. With luck, there’s a story in it.