Technophrenia

I think I’ve discovered a new psychological disorder, which I have named “Technophrenia”. Technophrenia is a condition whereby the sufferer has one foot in the latest, state-of-the-art technologies, and the other foot planted in extremely retro, hand-crafted products that frequently predate his own existence. I can, for example, forgive the fellow who continues to use the first razor he acquired in his youth…this is nothing more than a harmless attempt to stay linked to his own past, his personal nostalgia for a simpler, kinder, gentler time. This fellow knows whereof he speaks because he was there! The technophrenic on the other hand, isn’t satisfied with his own past; he must co-opt the past of others who existed before him. His nostalgia isn’t for something personally experienced, but rather for the fantasy of what that experience must have been like for someone else.

I had one of the first Texas Instruments TI99 home computers when it came out in the early 80′s. You loaded programs via a cassette-tape and the most exciting one consisted of little “invading alien” blips on the screen that you “shot” down. I bought my first digital camera in the early ’90′s; a Sony that recorded images on a 3.5 inch floppy (remember those?). Today I have four digital cameras, each were/are the “latest” in their category and at the time they came out. I got the new iPhone 3G a week after it was launched (even I drew the line on sleeping in front of the store the night before, however). I love technology! Anyone who can look at an Apple iPhone and not be amazed at its almost Zen-like beauty (not to mention its true functionality), is missing something. Besides, it is technology that has made it possible for me to make a pretty good and independent living for some 14 years as one of the “self-unemployed”.

On the other had, I have no emotional attachment to any of these technologies. They come, they go (and pretty damned fast these days!)…a reminder perhaps of our own fragility and tenuousness on this earth. What I do value however, is things that have continuity and a human impression, i.e. they are built on a long line of traditions that evolve ever-so-slowly and only when absolutely necessary, and are touched by the hand of an individual, a person, not a Chinese factory robot. They are the antithesis of disruptive technologies; I call them “counterdisruptive technologies” because they are a constant reminder that not all new things are necessarily better.

I was reminded of this apparent dichotomy recently, in the course of restoring my 1980 custom-made Leonard racing bike. I’ve never been comfortable on any of the modern saddles (even the über-saddles with the middle carved out of them to reduce pressure on the family jewels), but have been reading a lot about Brooks hand-made leather saddles and how their devoted fans swear by their comfort. I ordered one, and apart from the fact that it really is very comfortable, I was stunned by its incredible beauty and workmanship. Here’s a photo of a Brooks saddle (not mine), and a link to their web site.

If you are tempted to buy one, Wallingford Bicycle Parts (Wallbike) in the U.S. is, I believe, the largest dealer, and has virtually the entire assortment. Service is impeccable, and Bill Laine, the owner, will spend whatever time you need on the phone to help you select the right saddle. And here’s something unheard-of….If you don’t like the saddle for any reason within 6 months, Wallbike will take it back and give you a full refund. Thank God for the small entrepreneur in America!