Skip to main content

The Cult of Less.

A growing movement, amongst the digital cognoscenti, those who have embraced the digital era in all its glory and shortcomings, is to do away, as far as possible, with the physical, and lead a digital nomadic existence.

This means different things to different people, but essentially, computers have allowed us to do away with such things as photographs, books, CDs, DVDs, even writing material. Even work and making money can be done from in front of one's computer. This means that we don't need large houses or places in which to store our 'stuff'. I can add that from an environmental perspective people, such as myself, who have chosen to do away, as far as possible, 'stuff', are good citizens—reducing our environmental impact footprint.

So what have I done to reduce my 'stuff'. Currently, I am replacing my Olympus e510 dslr with a compact point and shoot camera, possibly the Sony DSC HX5, ~us$400. I am also going through my two bags of gear and disposing of, or 'squeezing' what I have. One metal 1lt water bottle, which I rarely use is gone, as is my camera tripod, which I also rarely use.

* update 5/4/10: My new camera is the hx5: light, compact, lots of new features, including a gps. Great for waymarking and generally keeping track of where things were. My old dslr is going to a friend in the Philippines.

My goal is three bags. The first being one large backpack. This I can carry with me while travelling, it contains my important and needed on the road gear: computer, cards, documents and money, and inside my small shoulder (Che Geuvara bag). Second, a larger bag, one which contains my clothes, toothbrush, medicine kit, protein powder, and what ever else I need to carry. I want this to be a relatively small bag. Lastly, my Che Guevara shoulder bag, something I can sling over one shoulder, big enough to hold what I need, but small enough to be easy to carry. I am getting there. (I did mention on a previous blog, one discussing do's and don'ts of travel—no shoulder bags for men. I will amend that to allow Che Guevara should bags, cool.)

One thing I am looking at, is a new computer. I currently use a MacBook, a great computer, but if Apple were to come out with an upgraded MacBook Air, then I would buy. The Air is lighter and overall smaller than my current. Also, cool looking.

Keep checking to see what is happening.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Pattani — the ‘deep’ south of Thailand

First, some advisories: A. ADVISORY: For the last few years and decades there has been an ongoing insurgency in the provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat (the 'deep south' of Thailand). An average of 600 people have been killed per year between 2004-9. The Australian government strongly urges its citizens not to visit these provinces: "do not travel". Having said this there is no blood on the streets, and life goes on normally for the vast majority of people. In comparison approximately 400 people die every year from traffic accidents in the same region. You have been advised. B. Getting there. There seems to be a scam carried out by the local tour operators to persuade travellers to take mini-buses on journeys between the towns in southern Thailand. These mini-buses cost several times as much as a normal bus. For example, I was quoted 1000 baht (~$35) between Trang and Pattani ~250kms, as compared to 200 baht for a VIP bus. A clear difference. Take the l...

Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers—A Critical Critique

The late science fiction author Robert Heinlein was noted for many things, and one of these is controversy. During his life he never shied away from contentious issues, rather he seems to have actively sought them out, both on and off the page. His writing was always provocative, and the most provocative example of this was his 1959 novel "Starship Troopers". The novel was written in a few weeks, prompted by left-wing lobbying for a ban on USA nuclear weapon testing. Heinlein, a strident conservative, vehemently disagreed with this proposal. While the meaning and import of the novel has been debated (it won the 1960 Hugo and is still in print), the story conveys the author's conservative anguish on the perceived flaws of contemporary political and social life. The novel depicts and praises a future government with a sharply limited voting franchise, lauds an authoritarian military, and strongly criticises popular democracy. Essentially, the novel endorses conservative,...

Harry Harrison—sorry to hear of your passing

Harry Harrison, an amusing name. I can remember the first time I saw the name on the shelves of my High School library, when I first came across the Deathworld series. This fascinating read began a long friendship, his books, my reading. I met Harrison when he came to Perth for a Swancon. An interesting and witty man, always ready with a story. Mr Harrison, you have left a long and lasting legacy, which will entertain many generations to come. RIP (1925-2012).