The computer is a useful tool.  We all use it regularly.  The fact that I post here should make it clear to the impartial that I have no beef with these gizmos.

But this is a puritanical culture; and many of our fellow citizens view the non-digital with the same dogmatic intolerance with which the Pilgrims eyed non-Pilgrims.  Many is the time some zealous asshat has upbraided me for buying pen and ink, braying “Don’t you have a computer?”; or preached a hellfire sermon at me for my sin of indulging in the pleasures of gramophone, projector, piano, or paintbrush.

Puritans are never much fun; those whose social skills have atrophied from too many hours staring at a screen are even skankier.

But I’ve been noting a cheery trend, away from the iron rule of the Digitaliban.  Younger folk, in particular, are realizing that “living online” is an oxymoron.  They’re opting out of the social networking sites, after learning that said sites are time-suckers, and make personal info handier to marketers, spammers, and stalkers.  Some offices have set up email-less days, and find employees communicate better face to face, and work better without the distraction of checking the inbox.  There’s a resurgence, too, of interest in making crafts, playing acoustic music, making things that are real, rather than virtual.

We’ll be watching this trend here.  Our first event celebrated “dead media”; there will be others.  Meanwhile, I’ll clink to the fun and virtues of the computer, then go out to gaze at the stars.

(Posted by Doug Skinner)