Elsewhere

The New York Times Magazine has an article
(free registration required) about how computer use has changed in the
last two decades and usability science is still catching up. While
briefly covering the history of multi-tasking in the workplace (all the
way back to telegraph operators), and studies on productivity impacts,
it also calls out the obsolescence of the computer monitor as the sole
means for information delivery, Allen’s “Getting Things Done”/life
hackers/43folders.com/the Hipster P.D.A, and Apple’s market share among people who pay attention to these things. Choice quote:

Now
that multitasking is driving us crazy, we treasure technologies that
protect us. We love Google not because it brings us the entire Web but
because it filters it out, bringing us the one page we really need. In
our new age of overload, the winner is the technology that can hold the
world at bay.

The other day I was hanging out with an
old friend on Montana Avenue, sitting on a bench chatting and watching
people. He’s single and much more urban than I am. At one point a
couple of attractive young women (early 20-ish) with pointedly
edgy-but-conventional fashion walked past us. They barely gave us a
sidelong glance as my friend flirtatiously waved at them, then stepped
into the high fashion shop behind us.

I made a comment about how
I haven’t flirted in seven years and not sure I remember how. “They’re
just candy,” he said. “They get up in the morning and all they think
about is what they’re going to wear. It gets old. I’d love to find
someone I can actually have a conversation with.”

—-

While
I’m not sure I agree with his snap judgement of their character, that
“candy” phrase has been bouncing around in my head a lot since then.
I’ve started recognizing a lot of things in life–media, possessions,
relationships, lifestyle habits–that can be categorized as candy.
Things that provide instant gratification but no nutritional value, and
afterwards you’re still hungry and yearning but now you have a
toothache.

Also reminds me of what a friend-of-a-friend said a while ago: “I’m suspicious of anything called ‘entertainment’.”

A
little candy every now and then is absolutely essential to relax and
enjoy life without the burden of some deeper “meaning”. But it’s grown
out of control in our culture of entitlement and disposable
commodities. It’s what makes our economy go ’round, but it’s stifling
our spirituality.

Now that I have a name for it, I’ll be paying
closer attention to how I choose to spend my time, energy, and money.
Does it actually enrich my life somehow? Does it help me grow in some
small way–emotionally, creatively, intellectually? Or is it just candy?

Creativity is an unexpected but appropriate response to a given stimulus.
- from my college Art Appreciation course

Creativity without purpose is art; creativity with purpose is design.
- unknown

Art expands. Design connects.
- Michael Cronan

If you can predict the results, it isn’t art.
- Jim Aikin