Assimilation

A few days ago… well I say ‘a few days’ it might have been a week… actually more than a week… let me start again… I went out without my mobile!

In today’s world this is a weird thing not to have this device with you. I would like to segue to another topic for a second if you’ll indulge me.

Now and then, when I am out and about, a smoker will ask me if I have a lighter on me or a cigarette. I don’t smoke and I don’t often find the need to start a fire. What I find curious is that these people managed to forget either of these items. We often talk of technology as an addiction but it is not a literal one, at least not for most people, and yet I don’t think I have ever forgotten my phone. So I find it curious that someone with a literal addiction could forget. Then again it might not be a good comparison as I am someone who has to check his pockets, that the hob is off, that the fridge and freezer are shut, that the towel rack is off, and that the door is locked before leaving so I would be unlikely to miss anything.

Leaving the phone at home deliberately was an interesting experience. I realised how often I reach for it. Even while walking I will look at it just while waiting for the lights to change. I missed and didn’t miss it all at once. One thing that was weird about was not having it to take notes when an idea occurred to me. I have no idea what that idea was. I heard someone say recently that we are cyborgs – we just don’t have the tech inside us.

Comic con was in town this weekend. I went along on Saturday. I discovered something interesting. This crowd of people didn’t bother me not like other crowds. Think I know why… these are my people.

In a place like comic con I am one of them. Normal might be too strong a word but I know that everyone in that place likes some element of fantasy or scifi. I’d also imagine that a lot of them have been teased or worse for those tastes. There is a sense of camaraderie.

In that place I can say I have a small fleet of model starships and not worry about a negative response. Were I able to start a conversation with a stranger the reaction would be positive. In that crowd I am still a short, overweight, long-haired man but everyone around me is fascinated by the same sorts of things that I am. For some reason I still care what others think even when I know they are probably not thinking them at all and when I ware my swagman hat then only thing that happens, and mostly it is nothing, is someone sings a few bars or the Indiana Jones theme!

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I just wanted to say that I have checked this post. I really have. Unfortunately my particular combination of dyslexia and dyspraxia makes it really hard for me to spot typos. Please enjoy and I’ll try not to make too many errors.  

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