Computers and The work Cycle
I’ve been thinking a lot about the devices I use to work – devices is a bit of a misterm – one device, my computer. I think my computer, like my smartphone, has an interesting role because it is both a place for consumption and creation. When I am writing, I am able to go to the web and then find answers to questions that appear as they emerge, essentially going through my research cycle in the matter of seconds. So instead of sitting on a thought, or trying to work something out, I just get the answers given to me.
The issue I have with this is that by going through this cycle of consuming, synthesising and asking at breakneck speed, I lose the time for deep thought. And in line with my concept of itemising out my intentional tech – I’ve stumbled across the idea of a writerDeck, or as I like to see them – digital typewriters. Maybe the solution to slowing down this cycle is more intentional tech – splitting out the writing portion of my work to a creation-only machine. Am I ready to drop a couple of hundred dollars on a tiny PC that can only process text? Probably not on stipend, but maybe I can build something …