I am Why we Haven't Invented Hovercars

It's strange - I'm always one step behind the wave when it comes to technology. When we moved into our new flat a year ago I was the big-kid on campus, strutting around my new domain with my chest all puffed up because I was on the front line, I had a freaking HD telly. I plugged the PS3 in and marvelled at how crisp the picture was, it made me all warm and fuzzy inside. About 2 weeks later they announced that 3D TV was the next big thing, and would go on the market asap.

3D? But! But.. I've only just got HD - we've moved on to numbers now?! I must have missed G through Z...

Well... I wouldn't want to bother with those silly glasses anyway. So ner!
It will be a good few years before me and the Girl choose to splurge out on a 3D TV. We are happy with our 32" dealio, any bigger and our eyes wouldn't physically be able to handle the screen; plus our flat doesn't really have any more space (especially if the image is going to intrude into the area in front of the telly; we've got a coffee table there - it might knock the beer over).

I'm reminded of an XKCD comic from a while back:

(do you have any idea how long it took to find this particular one? This man needs to stop writing comics...)

If I get a 3D TV they will bring out smellovision - it will revolutionise the viewing experience and once again I will be on the pile of losers who are behind the times. Having said that, perhaps if I DON'T get a 3D TV, I'd be holding back technological advancement. Perhaps the invention of anything more immersive than 3D would only be spurred on by the need to keep me perpetually in the technological dark ages. Who's in the drivers' seat now, eh? Steve Jobs and Apple TV? I think not. My lackadaisical approach to buying a car is the only reason we aren't driving Delorians around the skys.



ps. Pepe at Please Make it End has been blogging about how Michelle of And Lilly Makes 3 has mentioned her breasts in her last three consecutive posts. Well, I shall endeavour to mention my bottom for the next 10 posts, it will be a decade of derrieres, a bunch of bums, a whole sack of seats. Just you wait.

pps. Lifehacker keeps suggesting I get a standing desk. Sure would help the pain my arse.



XKCD - Poking Pandora in the Eye

The latest XKCD comic is rather evocative for me:

It actually really reminds me of when my sister was ill a few years back. I think the overall lesson is the mantra you hear a lot from those suffering from long term serious illnesses - "one day at a time". That was certainly how we faced the illness back then, and with recent tragedies in my life it is most definitely how I having been living for the past few months. I really don't want to get too far into it, but this is another example of how the XKCD stories hide real human problems behind their simple stick-figure appearance. I love this comic. I suggest you check it out.

XKCD

Despite its often tech-ie mathmatical outer coating, the center of the online comic xkcd has always felt quite warm and squishie. It is consistently funny, clever and thought provoking - right down to the alt text when you hover over the image. That is why its extra saddening to see the latest post regarding a family illness which the writer, Robert Monroe, openly admits to his readers as possibly hindering the posting of further comics over the next few weeks.
The frankness of this post on what is ordinarily a light hearted if not humorous comic strip is shocking, but it also seems to reflect a personal investment Monroe has in the strip, his fans and the wider web community. It is at once refreshingly real, whilst saddeningly heartfelt.

I wish Monroe and his family all the best dealing with whatever it is that is ailing them. I hope that the same vim and vigor we see throughout xkcd helpss them through this difficult time.