Religion comes into play

I usually resist talking about politics or religion, even though both are front and center these days. With the 2012 elections underway since, well, 2008, I've learned to keep my finger on the mute button of the remote.

I wish I could do the same with religion, which I view as a personal matter not well suited for public displays. But public displays and declarations abound.

• Controversy continues over the "Keep Christ in Christmas" sign in Pitman, N.J. I guess the locals forget that those who don't celebrate Christmas might not want to live under the banner of someone else's religion.
• This season of Survivor: South Pacific was the most prayerful ever -- as if who would win immunity was a matter of divine intervention.
• Then there's the Denver Bronco's Tim Tebow, whose kneeling in prayer on the playing field has become a phenomenon. The best response to "tebowing" is this skit from Saturday Night Live (after brief ad).

So when it comes to politics or religion, I really don't have to say anything at all. There are enough voices in the mix as it is. 

Hello Dear...Upgrade Needed

I've become quite cynical about emails from strangers, deleting them upon receipt. I've adopted a "Just Say No" mantra. But this one almost got me.

Subject: Adobe Acrobat: Upgrade Needed

I thought it odd for Adobe to email me, much less attach a zip file, so my suspicions were raised. But I probably did need an upgrade, so I continued reading.

The details seemed legit: 

Adobe is pleased to announce new version upgrades for Adobe Acrobat Reader. Advanced features include:

- Collaborate across borders
- Create rich, polished PDF files from any application that prints
- Ensure visual fidelity
- Encrypt and share PDF files more securely
- Use the standard for document archival and exchange

To upgrade and enhance your work productivity today please open attached file.

Copyright 2011 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.
TrackNum: RBN098-2772687
Adobe Systems Incorporated,
Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:56:18 +0200

Then I re-read the greeting: "Hello Dear." And hit delete.

"Hello Kitty" would have been more believable. 

Score one more for the suspicious consumer, another zero for spammers.

Don’t be a tool

Who hasn’t heard someone say:

 

“I’m a Mac person.”
“I’m a PC person.”
“I’m a Facebook person.”
“I’m a Twitter person.”
“I’m a (insert digital tool name here) person.”

Wasn’t technology supposed to bring us together? Instead it has us splitting into factions.

"I’m an iPad person.”
"I’m a Kindle person.”

Can’t we all just get along? Why this need to choose? It makes much better sense to pick the best tool for the job at hand.

And speaking of tools, there’s a saying that if all you have is a hammer, then every problem is a nail. So what happens when you have a screw loose?

I don’t want to be defined by the device I use. I don’t want to be a tool. I’m a person, plain and simple. One who likes to use neat, new technology, knowing that devices will evolve to neater, newer technology in short order.

My smartphone has been a great help in my one-woman business. I can’t imagine ever giving it up. But I’m not pledging allegiance to BlackBerry or iPhone or Android. They’re only a tool...and I am not.

It's all about ME

Imagine a camera designed to put you at the center of every picture, every time. That may not have been the original idea behind the Throwable Ball Camera, but that's what it does. Along with capturing an amazing panorama overhead.

The ball also has captured the attention of sports fans, who see its potential for revolutionizing sports coverage. (See ThePostGame.)

Who wouldn’t want this camera/toy/device/equipment? It takes the current ME culture one step further to put ME at the center of my universe in a concrete and visual way.

Every single picture I take would feature ME with my arms outstretched, ready to embrace the world. Or rule it.