One person is tomorrow

Humans hold a paradoxical view of culture (by “culture” I mean the encompassing sphere of human thought: the arts, political systems, religion, economics, and so on). On one hand, we tend to view both history and the future through the eyes of our current culture; as if culture has not changed for some very long time and is unlikely to change for some time more. Such a myopic view robs us of history’s wisdom and binds us to a pre-packaged determined future. Concurrently, we also view past and future culture as something vastly different than the current human experience. Our forebearers (noting even the separation of one generation to the next) lived lives so different than our own that their experiences and accumulated knowledge are invalid for the present. Future generations will encounter a world so changed from this one that we may not even speculate their circumstances. Of course, neither of these views is entirely satisfactory; but both are necessary to address our current situation and plan for the future.

This paragraph, in its draft form, began “From an environmental viewpoint . . .” However, that is not the viewpoint that I, as a person, can fully comprehend. I can only hope to come from a human viewpoint—a human who is part of an environment. Each of us is part of a cultural environment and, though we tend to deny this with a thousand decaying whispers, part of the natural world. I cannot take responsibility for the Earth’s actions; she is, of herself, a most responsible organism. I can (and must) take responsibility for my own. Without recognition of this personal responsibility, there can be no health. No health of persons. No health of society. No health of the larger whole we call The Environment. The Earth will attempt to maintain what we call The Environment till her last recourse is exhausted. It is up to me to see what my place is, in context of the past and future, for the maintenance of the whole.

My role is largely influenced by culture. What does my culture say about an individual’s responsibility to the larger whole? This has obvious political and economic implications; however, I think we will, in short order, begin to move past these structures (a future we cannot fully speculate). We’ve done too much damage to both the cultural and natural environments to sustain our past and current systems of governance and economy. Humankind, though we have had many thousands of years to consider this, has not yet found the way by which we should live and relate to one another. We have, at various times, nearly discovered how to relate to the Earth; but this relationship has, for too long, been abandoned in favour of self-absorption.

Culture is no more or less than a collective decision by a group of people to live and continue to live a certain way in a certain place (and people can only take responsibility if they are “in a place.” One cannot take responsibility for an abstraction or “nowhere”). Culture is not immutable; the history of ideas does not necessarily determine the future of human thought. We have yet the opportunity to recover wisdom from the past and take knowledge from the present to determine a future that will benefit all. This is, in fact, the only choice we have that does not end terminally for everyone. If we do not take on this individual responsibility, the cultures will splinter. The Earth, no matter her best efforts, cannot maintain the prolonged negligence of so many irresponsible people. She has provided the necessary components to sustain life. We’ve had an unwritten but obvious agreement that she will continue operating as with such designs as long as we do no harm to the process. If, from the neglect of stewardship, we lay waste to life it will be our decision that breaks the deal.

A culture is as alive as the people who live it; it will continue on till a collective decision is made to cease (or till such time as it is no longer sustainable). Culture can change. It does evolve for the betterment of those living it. The culture of Germany today is far different that what presented itself in the 1930’s. Though we now consume the foundations of life and the lives of those after us, there is nothing keeping us from positive change. Culture is not wholly a language, religion, music, or dress; these things change and grow over time. Changing culture does not mean abandonment of these things; it should mean the enrichment of our better parts. We should not fear the oncoming change (even drastic change) if that change means the resolution of these current ills and the maintenance of life itself.

Finally, culture was never one thing and can never be tomorrow what it was yesterday any more than our children will live the life of our grandparents. We return to the paradox. The present is the future; we cannot put the future off till tomorrow. We must reshape culture to become what it must be beyond this day. If we do not, the opportunities for a common future of life and good humanity will fade; the trust we pass on to the future will be spent. We have no other future than one made now.

A day at the game

Yesterday, for the first time in fifteen years, I went to a football game—an American football game. It was at the same stadium (the same seats, for that matter) of my last experience. The band played the same themes; the man with the funny felt hat a few rows ahead still sits with his funny felt hat a few rows ahead. There was a comforting continuity to it all.

Not comforting was the obscene negative shouting of fans around me. Our team lost. That’s okay; one team or the other will loose. Don’t we know this before the game begins? Are we only there to see our team win? I’m not going to go off on some soft-shoe elitist commentary about how we are all supposed to feel good about everything in the world and give flowers to one another in the stands; I wanted to see us win as well. But what help is it (for the other fans, the team, for one’s own blood pressure) to shout an extensive list of expletives if a player runs the ball in a manner contrary to one’s personal play-book preference? Maybe I’m wrong, but when your compatriots are down, it’s not helpful to rain abuses upon them.

Two rows in front of us was a grizzly old man wearing a heavy plaid coat and boots; his hair and beard were a mane of white flowing fur. He looked like he had just come down from the mountains. To passing women on the stairs, he would give a polite, “how are you doing today, ma’am?” However, once our team began down that slope to ultimate loss, he began cursing up a blue streak. (I will not reproduce direct quotations here.)

My parents, who are not exactly old, recalled games from their university years. People dressed almost formally; gameday had the air of an event. Yesterday, besides one man I spotted in a sport-coat (no doubt a journalist or errant cantankerous fellow who insists on such clothing), most people looked as if they could just as well work in the backyard. Of course, I looked the same; it never occurred to me to put on a tie (it probably will as soon as I become about 15% more cantankerous).

I could also go off here on the amount of advertising we were pummelled with; however, the sports world is not my own. It’s not my place to lament the passing of any particular golden age. But, I’m thirty-one; has civility degraded so much in my own lifetime?

The 30 Year Computer

Someone should make a computer that will last 30 years. Arguably, some made now might survive that long; however, none seem to have the surrounding support from the manufacturer to promote such long service. I have several older Macs that are still humming away nicely to themselves; but Apple itself no longer supports their software or hardware.

In the past 15 years or so, I have (or, my father has, when I was in school) spent nearly $15,000 on computer equipment. This spans my first “serious” computer, a Tandy 1000TX to my current MacBook Pro (I’m not counting the Commodore 64 from the 1980’s; though I have many fond memories of it). I’m not a “computer person.” I don’t sit for endless hours tinkering with them or collecting them or reading magazines and websites devoted to them; they are tools. I want one that works with little fuss or mental consternation on my part. When I do sit for endless hours, I’m actually using the computer to work. My main professional task now is writing; I arrange words and recommend the re-arranging of other’s words. For this I have a $3000 computer that can map out the stars in our galaxy and analyse their individual gas compositions whilst ripping my entire CD collection to an iPod and playing The Lord of the Rings on DVD. (This is the now obsolete model; I bought it five months ago—the new one can simultaneously order flowers online.)

I expect this computer to last or, at least, provide a sensible amount of service for three or four years. I only have this timeline in mind because I also edit video; the expectations for video processing, file handling, and etc. will have changed by then. If not for that, I’d imagine I’d have a longer span in mind (I know someone who still writes novels on a Mac from the late 1980’s and will probably do so for some years longer).

Recently, I came across a very simple word processor (or more like a text editor) called Write Room. It’s very easy for me to become distracted during the work day. I’m copyediting a document; oh, how am I supposed to list this; I’ll look it up online; what’s this; something is happening in Tibet; what’s the history of Tibet; better check my e-mail; should respond to that; I wonder what happened to this person; I’ll look her up online; and so on. Taking my aimless and slightly ADD mind into account, I began looking for something I could write with (besides, obviously and probably more sensibly, paper) that would reduce distractions. Write Room displays only a black screen and text; it’s similar to an old DOS word processor. Now it occurs to me, why do I need any of this extraneous stuff at all? Update: I’ve now started using LaTeX, which is far more potent with a bit steeper learning curve, but is amazing for academic writing.

In the basement of my parent’s place, there is an IBM Selectric typewriter from the 1960’s; it still runs perfectly. One can sit down, switch it on, put in a sheet of paper, and begin typing. It has, for more than 30 years, done what it was made to do. I’ve a camera that can use lenses from the past 50 years and the same film that’s been manufactured from the past 100 or so. It’s built like a fine watch and, if maintained, will outlast me (of course, maybe nobody will actually make film for it by then, but this is a separate discussion). Why, with all the technology and accumulated design experience from the past 25 years of home computers, can someone not produce a computer with the same principle? This would be a computer that just deals with words. Writing and, perhaps, e-mail would be its main and only apparent purpose.

Here is my challenge as a list of attributes this computer should have (to all the computer designers and manufacturers who, I’m sure, read this blog daily. Keep in mind, each of these components must last 30 years; they must be durable and serviceable):

• It would have a really good keyboard (like the old IBM clicky keyboards or the newer Mac laptops. Writers eat around their desks, the keyboard must be easily cleaned of dust and debris. Multiple language sets and interchangeable function keys are a must).
• The case should be metal (or of a plastic that will not yellow over time).
• The case would be aesthetically pleasing; maybe make it like a cross between an old Royal Typewriter and a Tandy CoCo—something that has a bit of retro design. It would also be beautifully made, like a piece of fine Hi-Fi equipment.
• There will be no need for a mouse. The user could use one if he or she wanted. But, we are just talking about text; we should be able to navigate with the keyboard.
• It will have an internal switching power supply for worldwide use as well as a 12v input (and the 12v input would not be some fussy little proprietary plug, it would be an XLR type connector like those used in pro film and video gear).
• It would have limited expandability (it’s just going to do what it does).
• It will have VGA, DVI, and plain old video out.
• It could possibly have a matching monitor (portrait or horizontal orientation).
• Of course, it will have a printer port (matching printer as well with the same 30 year specs? It would have to be something that prints with ink that will last and that won’t have some toss-away ink cartridge that one can’t find anwhere after a couple years. Spooled typewriter ribbons anyone?)
• There will be a “disk drive.” Not only the drive mechanism, but the media has to last 30 years. I’m not sure what that means as far as design. Some optical media is touted as “100 year archival;” does it have a built in CD drive? Some manner of MO drive? I recently found some 3.5 inch floppies from the early 90’s and read them with no problem; however, I do hear many stories of writers pulling out their WordStar floppies from the 80’s and going through all manner of permutations to get information from them. There should be a dedicated effort to commit to some format for the storage and archiving of written materials.
• The computer itself would have internal storage (all solid state, no moving parts inside if possible) enough to store and index the writer’s work for the next 30 years (obviously, this would depend on how prolific he or she is; but we are just talking about words and one can pack a lot words into the types of memory we have at hand now).
• The manufacturer would offer a service for all users that backs up the system onto a remote server (there would be an ethernet connection). Over this connection, the manufacturer would assess the “health” of the computer as well and perform whatever updates are necessary. There could also be an e-mail service specifically for users of this computer, as well as a service that connects writers to their editors (the whole system would need to promote easy collaboration between writers and editors or groups of writers working on projects).
• The underlying system would be UNIX or Linux; should be Open Source and accessible. I’m imagining, since this is such a durable and serviceable unit, it would also appeal to scientists and others working in extreme environments.
• It would have several of the best text-based word processors and editors ported to it; in lieu of the “stock” set-up, one could run one’s preferred word processor (though I think the manufacturer, in order to reasonably guarantee long-term service and compatibility, would standardise on one set-up).
• It must run efficiently; as it will not need a super-processor, this should be the most power-efficient and coolest-running computer ever built.
• It should have at least a 10 year warranty.

There must be room for a computer like this on the market. It would appeal to all of us who fondle our Moleskine notebooks and obsess over what pencil to use. The pen and notebook companies have long realised the mystically aesthetic component to writing; why (except, perhaps with the exception of Apple) have no computer manufacturers? Actually, why doesn’t Apple make this? They have the technical ability, for sure. This would be a niche market that would not drain extensively from their core sales. They certainly have the marketing clout and know how to promote it well, The Writer’s Computer—a legacy computer for generations to come. As I said above, as long as I’m working with media, I’ll still need a second computer (which, rather argues away the financial aspect of this proposal on my part). I doubt there are many hold-outs on the concept of buying a computer for writing; but I’m sure there are many writers who buy cheap PC’s to work with. After all, why would I need a fancy Mac just to do word processing? Apple, make a computer like this that appeals on multiple levels specifically to writers and you could open yourself up to a whole new market! You’ve already got the UNIX system down for this, just strip away the wonderful GUI you’ve put over top of it and make the most unique text-based computer ever. I will volunteer to beta test for sure.

Update with some further thoughts: I’ve recently upgraded to the latest version of OSX; it’s. . .quite keen. My further question is: Apple, do you have the nerve to make a computer akin to the one outlined above that runs the current OS and then support it for 30 years? Beyond this, is it possible to make technological goods that last indefinitely? E.g a watch from 1890 can be maintained and run “forever”. Why can we not aim for something similar with computers?

Essentials

I’ve led two Xtreme Team trips (Japan and Bulgaria) and was recently asked to compile a list of packing recommendations. Xtreme Team is a month-long cross-cultural trip for young adults (see the website). I was an Xcitem on both trips (responsible for the media aspect); also mentioned below is the Xpad (responsible mainly for the team’s journaling and preparing Xfiles; the team, from moment to moment, does not know what comes next. They are given hints through Xfiles).
I thought this list might be useful for others planning similar excursions (or Xcursions rather; yes, it seems cheesy, but on Xtreme team, we replace all instances of “ex” with “X”).

Here is the list (or, at least, the beginnings of a list) of Xcitem equipment for Xtreme Team:

1. Good socks and shoes: Seriously, this is a month of standing on one’s feet all day and running from place to place over urban and rural terrain while carrying a pack of stuff. Do not skimp on shoes; additionally, if the trip involves hiking, take appropriate hiking boots. I recommend SmartWool socks; and, though they seem expensive at first, ECCO or Mephisto shoes. The “hiking” Birkenstocks are also good and eliminate the need for socks (I did the whole Bulgaria trip in Birks; except for the actual “hiking” where one should have boots to match the weight the pack, they were great).
2. Camera grip: This is for the video camera (especially if the camera is a small “handycam” style set-up). It doesn’t add much weight to the kit and allows for smoother camera handling (and gives one more to hold on to in difficult shooting situations). I use a Mightywondercam Mini Rover Handgrip from Videosmith in Philadelphia.
3. Redundant power adaptors: If the one battery charger you have for the video camera or computer conks out in the middle of Nowherestan, it can be a major inconvenience to find another. That said, it’s surprising what can be found at the local electronics and fabric sales shop in the back streets of Nowherestan’s smaller cities. Multiple chargers also speed the re-charging process; most consumer chargers can only hold one battery at a time. It’s a great inconvenience to set one’s alarm to wake in the middle of the night just to switch out batteries. On the same note, distribute the packing of batteries and chargers across several bags. In Bulgaria, the equipment case with both video camera chargers was delayed for several days by an airline error. Fortunately, I had the camera and three high-capacity batteries in my carry-on. I should have packed with a complete working kit in my carry-on and left the packing of spares in the checked luggage. In general, it’s a good idea to distribute everything in case of loss or theft. Make back-ups of pictures and data on disc and give them to the Xpad; the Xpad should also carry every other DV tape shot (i.e. number the tapes sequentially, the Xcitem carries even numbers, the Xpad carries odd). This way, if one set is lost or stolen, there will likely be some footage from major parts of the trip. (Make sure all electronics are autoswitching for worldwide usage.)
4. Paper notebook: Moleskine is my pocket notebook of choice (of course, I’m a paper snob, but that’s beside the point). Space Pens are nice too (they write like a crappy ball point, but they write like a crappy ball point in all kinds of adverse conditions).
5. Small headphones: I carried full size production headphones for location sound recording on prior trips, but found I rarely used them on location. It’s enough trouble to run-and gun everything else, let alone take the time to get out all the little bits and pieces of things. Plus, if one wears big headphones while taping in public, it just screams “pay attention to me! Look at me, I’m doing something out of the ordinary!” which is something to avoid as much as possible. Do take some sort of headphones, as it’s a good idea to regularly check the sound to make sure everything is getting to tape.
6. A good microphone: I took a good handheld mic on prior trips; however, it was only used a few times. Instead, I’d recommend a decent shotgun mic for on-camera use. Most of the sound will be picked up while capturing video (unless we go minimalist and make an all podcast Xtreme Team [which, by the way, I think would be a great idea; but, that’s a different equipment list]). The RODE on-camera shotgun is a good, inexpensive mic and would mount on the camera bracket mentioned above. As a side note, most on-camera shotguns have “dead kitty” windscreens; most consumer camcorders do not show the entire frame in the viewfinder. Be sure to keep the dead kitty hair from creeping into the edge of the frame.
7. Pack Towel: this is a chamois towel available from backpacking stores. It dries quickly, rolls up (put it in the bottom of the laptop bag as extra padding), and does not stink after multiple uses. This is counter to a cotton towel which takes two days to dry, wads up and fills half a backpack, reeks after two uses (especially since it hasn’t had time to dry properly). This should actually be standard issue for all team members.
8. Pocket pack of tissues: For either end of one’s person.
9. Full-body wet wipes: Also available from backpacker’s stores. On some Xposures, It may be several days between proper baths. It will be the middle of the summer. You will sweat a lot. A little moist wipe will be a great boon to personal hygiene and morale (not to mention the morale of those close to you).
10. Antacid: For those, “Oh! I’m out on an adventure and I guess I’ll try that” lack of judgement moments.
11. Sunglasses: to protect one’s eyes. Also, as an Xcitem, one’s eyes should constantly wander looking for shots. It’s a bit disconcerting to people if they can actually see your eyes wandering. However, in some cultures, direct eye contact during conversations is necessary decorum. Be sure to remove your glasses when meeting new people and in social settings.
12. Card with emergency contact numbers (both in-country and back in the US) everyone should have this. Everyone should also have a pre-paid phone card for emergency use.
13. Watch with alarm: The Xcitem will stay up later than the rest of the team and get up earlier. Better have a loud alarm.
14. USB thumb drive: Good to have if you can’t find a wireless or ethernet connection for the laptop and it’s necessary to send weblog data from an internet café.
15. A floppy drive (maybe): for the same reason as above; though most internet café computers have USB. Depends on where the team is going.
16. Bluetooth mobile: Alternately you can send data through a mobile; in Bulgaria we had a one that communicated with our PowerBook. Granted, it was slow; but we were sending entries from the van way out in the country.
17. Swiss Army Knife: With screwdriver (and, if you normally carry it in the camera bag, be sure to remove it before security in the airport—I’ve lost four in as many years).
18. Screen Cleaner: These come in little packets as wet-wipes. Also good for cleaning lenses and other electronics.
19. Microfiber cloth: for optics
20. Small flashlight: I always carry a small Mag light if, for no other reason, you’ll be in a different place every night and may have to find the bathroom in a spooky civic-hall basement.
21. Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap: Another camping store item. One can wash hair, body, teeth, clothing, just about anything with this stuff. In addition, written on the bottle are solutions to most world problems. It’s great stuff and consolidate several items into one; the “travel size” bottle lasts a couple weeks (a few drops will clean your whole body). May be a good idea to get the whole team travel bottles and replenish from a large bottle in the middle of the trip. (I’ve noticed many team members bring big unnecessary bottles of shampoo and sundries.)
22. Vitamins: Again, it’s an intense month of constant movement. We usually eat fairly well, but you’ll eat something different every day, be in a different location every day. Anything that can be done to reduce the chance of illness is good. (May also want to pack melatonin to reduce jet-lag.)
23. Sandals: Especially if your regular shoes are heavy or boots. It’s good to have something comfortable to wear around “camp” in the evening. If you are a hygiene stickler, also bring flip-flops for use in the shower.
24. Less Clothing: Remember, you’ll have to carry everything. Cut everything down to a minimum and then some more. Buy lightweight technical clothing (wash and dry quickly). Get pants with cargo pockets (that zip shut for safety).
25. Matches (Again, remember not to carry on plane.)
26. Soft bags: to organise and protect equipment; the small Porta-Brace zip-up bags are especially good.
27. Small Stuff Sack: For dirty clothing and etc.
28. Cards explaining the purpose of Xtreme Team in the local language: These are good when the police want to know why a group of foreign young people are wandering around in the derelict church by the caves. They are also good to give out to interested parties who might want to follow along on the website or youth who may wish to get involved with future teams (should have web address and contact info).
29. Nalgene Bottle: Just go to the outfitters and pick up everything except crampons (unless the team is going mountaineering).
30. Jeweller’s screwdriver: Inevitably someone’s glasses are going to come apart and they will blindly come to you for help.
31. Card with common phrases in the local language: It’s a cross-cultural team; you’ll want to know how to say “thank you”, “yes, I’ll take that fourth cup of Turkish coffee”, and etc.
32. Cables to connect everything to everything else.

Additionally, Make the Xpad carry some of your gear if possible; since you’ll have all this media gear, it’s a good idea to have him or her carry the laptop. Hopefully he or she will also be fairly competent with a camera. It’s very difficult for one person to cover all the video and stills on a trip like this. If the Xpad can take care of stills it will free you to get better video coverage.

It’s difficult to make specific recommendations for camera equipment. On prior trips I took what would be considered “pro-sumer” gear. However, were I to do it over again, I would pack a lighter kit. If you take a consumer digital camera, make sure it has a short shutter lag time. There is nothing more frustrating than missing half your shots because you’re standing there with your finger on the shutter release, waiting for the camera to make the exposure.

The only “pro” gear I would take would be the shotgun mic and, perhaps, a small 12v camera light (of course, that means an additional battery and charger). We are, sometimes, in fairly dark situations where an additional light would be helpful. It would be interesting to see what we could do with a podcasting idea as that kit could be ultra-light. I have an HHB Mini-Disc recorder; but their new FlashMic would be ideal. Though the trip is all about Xtreme Xposures, a good portion of it is spent travelling and waiting around. These are not necessarily “video moments” but the conversations concerning Xposures would make great audio material.

An additional item: Though I would strongly discourage using it at a host’s home or when dining out with new friends, some people will not travel without a bottle of Tabasco Sauce. Though it is not something I usually take (preferring to “eat it like the locals), it can make unpalatable foods a bit more zesty.

Manual for B11022

I’ve been getting a little cabin fever (after a month without aerobic exercise; which is the longest I’ve gone…in a long time). We purchased a Czech-made exercise bike last evening at Tesco. It’s actually quite nice (it allows for fore/aft adjustment of the seat like a spinner bike; the seat can be replaced with a standard bike saddle and the pedals are standard threads so I can replace them with a clipless set).
The computer has some impressive functionality; for example:

• it has an alarm clock (in case one falls asleep on a lengthy ride).
• it displays room temperature
• it displays pulse (unless there is no pulse in which case the manual states “the computer will display ‘NO pulse’ on the window.” I hope an alarm goes off then too!
• During the ride, one can adjust such parameters as: target time, target calories, age, weight, height, and “to select sexy.” (I’m not yet sure whether this means I can grow taller and more sexy or the ride will be so hard that my gender may change.)
• There is a button with a yet unresolved meaning. It’s labelled Pulse Recovery; the manual states: “Press the key to activate the heart rate recovery function.” (I suppose if one has “NO pulse” this is the button to push.)
• Error messages: “The speed over than 999.9 MPH/KPH then the computer will display ‘E’.” (I’ll have to watch that upper limit; though I’ve a feeling the bike will melt and the house catch fire before I get there.)

I rode for about 45 minutes this morning—still have a pulse; have not consulted for opinion on increased sexyness.