Triviality of Statistics

Technical Jogging

            Technology. We all tremble before the word. What other form of human ingenuity has brought us so far in the world? It is possible to talk to someone on the other side of the world; you can fly over oceans at speeds only imaginable; It is even possible now to alter your outer appearance, to even change your gender! These are the advancements of a superior society.   We have come to a point in our natural development where you cannot exercise outside without a set of special shoes, special garments, and for the true enthusiasts: a GPS locator. I mean, after all, what if you got lost? What if you actually broke a sweat? What if you ended up realizing that you look like a complete idiot?
            I started jogging lately up at a local mountain range/park reserve sort of deal. It’s very nice up there.   The scenery keeps you going when you get tired. I’m not proud of it but before I went running I went to the store and I bought myself a pair of new balance shoes and looked around for some running clothes so that my regulars don’t get dirty. At the time I thought, “Hey, it makes sense.” But now it’s just really stupid. I spent $85 on a pair of shoes that really don’t make me any “faster” and I go out to run looking like a puffy idiot. Luckily it’s in the mountains otherwise I’d be scared of being spotted. What really struck me, though, was the fact that technology was everywhere: The trails, the people and their shoes, the industry of nature. I’m no natural enthusiast. I like the views and all that sappy stuff, sure who doesn’t? But It’s almost as if the human race is no longer part of nature. If I got stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but me to survive I’d probably die pretty fast.
            I don’t really know what the point of all this is. Fact of the matter is that it doesn’t matter that we depend on technology because we have it. If we didn’t have technology we’d be screwed pretty bad. However, we do have technology. Not only do we have it in the physical sense of going to the store and buying it, but also we have it up in our heads in the sense that we could go out and develop it. Now you say, “I’m nothing more than the average Internet user! I don’t know anything about making technology.” Sure it may be that you are mediocre and have no coherent understanding of your surroundings but I tell you, you know technology. From the simple lever to the complex pulley: if you had to trap your own food you could (that’s living requirement number one). Then, if you had to start a fire you most likely could by getting a stick and another stick if you cant find a flint. If it really comes down to the line you could wait for a tree to get hit by lightning. But then again, who needs to cook food anyways? Shelter is easy. You could build something out of branches or find a cave, or live in a tree. Sex isnt a need, so I wont go there, but if you get lost I would suggest getting lost with a sexable individual.
            I haven’t written an article for a good deal of time now so take it easy on this one. Being the Webmaster I take care of the stuff that makes everything show up. Not that its work but I like to boost my ego. Technology is cool, but you have to admit, Joggers look really stupid. Some of them wear those reflective stripes and blinking lights. I wonder what the city installed street lamps for. It’s not like they’re running through Saratoga. If they ran through Sunnyvale with those things they would probably get shot.

Idan Beck