It is unfortunate that more and more nowadays, the ‘solution’ to everything must be along the lines of elegant, simple (ie no brain power or activity required), and some sort of advanced systems.
Great example are air fresheners. Five years ago we had the simple aerosol can solution. Nowadays we have battery powered solutions, dual-smelling systems, plug-in modes with fans, and other feature-rich systems that all promise to make your house smell good.
But what smells good? Yes I like fresh mountain air, but that crap isn’t real mountain air – it is emulated junk. Technology is trying to push a solution that really doesn’t cut it.
I ran into the above problem. My wife had been gone for 8 weeks, and was coming home soon. The apartment didn’t smell bad, but I wanted to make it smell good. And I thought – what smells good? What kind of smells do I like? Smells I could possibly emulate?
The simplest answer possible: baking.
I baked three flourless chocolate cakes. And then I left them on the counter. And then I left to go watch a movie.
When I came back roughly three hours later I could not believe how delicious the place smelled.
This little personal story is just a simple example – we seem to have this need
for tech-oriented solutions when good ol’ fashioned solutions work way better.
5 Responses to Technology is not always the answer
Dave
May 6th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Just to be nit picky, unless your stove burns wood, I’d say you WERE using technology to solve the problem. Just older technology.
But yes, I agree with you- one can often find solutions without having to use the latest and “greatest” technology.
Ahmed
May 6th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Yes got me there
Lets say we don’t always need ‘cutting edge’ technology
Andre
May 6th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
How do I make my cake smell like mountain fresh air?
Dave
May 6th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
“Lets say we don’t always need ‘cutting edge’ technology”
Oh yeah? So exactly what DID you use to slice the cake?
Ahmed
May 6th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Whoever said I sliced the cake?
Now excuse me I think I have cake all over my face!