Technolust: more virulent than previously thought

I'm only partially ashamed of my desire and procurement of toys and goodies. I feel guilty sometimes that any sum of money would be better placed in a savings account. Let's not blame the parents for such failings, they work hard enough without such quibbles. Regardless, my desire for tech is apparent and tolerated -- to a point.

Recently I influenced a superb friend into desiring a high definition television. Yet another is contemplating (however imperceptibly) purchasing my laptop since it's a nice improvement over their current portable computing machine. Moreover my constant demo-ing of the iPod touch gives both of these friends a desire in their pants for things Apple.

The wheeling and dealing nature of geek lust is apparent with the following anecdote. One of the arguments I've laid out for the Macbook pro purchase is that for the price I'm willing to part with it for, $1,000, they could affordably purchase an iPod too. Why would I give up a decent machine for so little? Simply, it's the nature of the river.

The Star Trek fans out there may recognize the river of commerce, somewhere there is a person with too much of one thing, too little of the other. Navigate the river properly and you'll be able to get everything you need and then some. This is a similar case.

I have a Macbook Pro, but I desire a new Macbook with its' smaller size and shininess. And here's someone who doesn't has money enough to buy a new Macbook Pro, much less one and an iPod touch. The solution, buy mine of course! It's a win-win. This sort of behavior was once denounced by Heather as being ridiculous, akin to a child being sick of their toys and casting them aside.

Quite contrary to that, it is a method that allows people who need or want something to get it, without spending more than they want. Hopefully I can once again predict the future and in a year or two bartering will make the proper comeback it deserves.