Zen and technology
I had the idea that my trip would be some kind of Zen pilgrimage. I haven't figured out how to integrate Zen meditation and technology. Can it be done?
Don't wanna leave tech behind. If I want the camera, then I need photo storage. Most economical is the iPod, which has 5 gigs available for storage, plus 10 gigs of music.
Suddenly I have to allocate space to technology:
-- Digital camera (my old Nikon Coolpix),
-- iPod,
-- My big headphones for many hours on noisy jets;
-- My little earbuds for daily use;
-- Firewire accessory to download photos to the iPod,
-- Extra battery attachment for iPod, which lasts about 8 hours (I'll be traveling for about 17 hours, door to door, buses planes and trains),
-- A pile of AA batteries for three of the above items. If I bring rechargeable, then I have to bring the charger, too.
-- Tiny splitter cable so 2 people can plug in their headphones at once,
-- Perhaps small external speakers, to share music with other hostelers. [EDIT: Nah!]
And clothes, and sleeping bag, and binoculars, and books, and maps, and water...
*sigh* I am sure all the hippie and Zen retreats have spent the last 20 years adapting to computers; I remember reading about The Farm's Macs, and Whole Earth Catalog was all about back-to-the-land, community, and technology, in its last years. I wonder how to find the balance in one's personal life.
Don't wanna leave tech behind. If I want the camera, then I need photo storage. Most economical is the iPod, which has 5 gigs available for storage, plus 10 gigs of music.
Suddenly I have to allocate space to technology:
-- Digital camera (my old Nikon Coolpix),
-- iPod,
-- My big headphones for many hours on noisy jets;
-- My little earbuds for daily use;
-- Firewire accessory to download photos to the iPod,
-- Extra battery attachment for iPod, which lasts about 8 hours (I'll be traveling for about 17 hours, door to door, buses planes and trains),
-- A pile of AA batteries for three of the above items. If I bring rechargeable, then I have to bring the charger, too.
-- Tiny splitter cable so 2 people can plug in their headphones at once,
-- Perhaps small external speakers, to share music with other hostelers. [EDIT: Nah!]
And clothes, and sleeping bag, and binoculars, and books, and maps, and water...
*sigh* I am sure all the hippie and Zen retreats have spent the last 20 years adapting to computers; I remember reading about The Farm's Macs, and Whole Earth Catalog was all about back-to-the-land, community, and technology, in its last years. I wonder how to find the balance in one's personal life.