I think my friends generally know me as the tech geek in their life, often the first guy using this or that techie doodad or web thingie. I was probably the first one in my circle to digitize his entire (and fairly sizable) music collection (and the collections of a few friends), then to play it exclusively from my computer at home (via a wireless network connection to a decent stereo) and from an iPod everywhere else (usually with portable speakers or connected to the car stereo). So I stopped thinking of audio CDs as something that plays music about 5 years ago. And I was moderately devastated when my iPod went missing early this year.
But when it comes to less dynamic technology, I tend to be a thrifty recycler. In 30 years of driving, I’ve never bought a new or even recent model car. The savings help me afford better computers and develop new projects. And because my cars are already well through their useful life, I never invest in fancy stereo equipment for them. Furthermore, because I favor cars whose single previous owner was responsible and careful to the point dullness, they’ve come with unglamorous audio technology (even by the standards of their day).
Last month I got my newest car ever, a fine li’l 2000 Subaru Outback. This is my very first car with a dashboard CD player! And it feels totally cool, dude, like, I’m on the cutting edge — but, uh, in 1982. All month I’ve been pulling music CDs out of their dusty jewel cases just to experience the wonder of playing them in my car. Righteous.
Okay, I admit the novelty is wearing off. And changing CDs while driving is more difficult than cassette tapes (the righteous technology in my last car). Nothing is safer or easier, while behind the wheel, than an iPod’s shuffle play, long play lists or podcasts. And, speaking as someone who frequently drives 5+ hours at a stretch, nothing makes the time go faster. So the timing couldn’t have been better when I found my lost iPod this weekend. Now, the iPod is magic all over again. Like I’ve just experienced over a quarter century of technological evolution, but in just a few righteous days.
