I have committed to writing more and this Substack is a big part of fulfilling that commitment. My method of choosing a writing topic lately has been selecting a prompt from a website with an exhaustive list of what appear to be innocuous speed date conversation starters. A handful of times I'm genuinely excited about exploring a prompt and the ideas just start pouring onto the paper. (FYI: I don't write on paper anymore. I'm all digital, Bobby.)
Today I’m writing about a prompt I thought would be an easy way to knock out that classic blog post, “The best tech you actually use every day.” For someone that considers themselves a computer person, a tech nerd, etc. this sounded like a layup to me. I could easily write at least a few hundred words on that in an hour, I thought to myself, laughter dripping with hubris.
Not so fast, Kid Icarus.
During my first attempt, I quickly encountered a wall of impermeable indecision when, despite my best efforts, my list of potential tech items topped out at three entries: my phone, my laptop, and my bluetooth ear buds. I slowly shut my laptop in surprise defeat.
On my second attempt, I stared at my screen for a while, probably about an hour, trying to coax a theme or angle from that weak list of my everyday tech. Nothing. I honestly thought round two would be more successful, or at least not so devastating to my world view. My only minor success was adding a fourth item to my list: my smart watch.
Now I’m on my third attempt and still stuck. And what, you might ask, is holding me back?
Look at that list! I feel like my answer to this prompt is embarrassingly basic. Like, “everyone uses their phone and laptop and ear buds everyday” basic. Why would anyone want to read a couple hundred words on how I do too?
That hurts my ego as a tech person and a writer. I mean, I should have some sort of unique insight that’s a helpful addition to the vast compendium of human knowledge, right? I enjoy building my own computers and love installing new hardware and software! And I am a writer! I’m able to craft story and narrative by translating ideas to written structures easily understood by all. This post should almost write itself, right?
Wrong. Still nothing.
Maybe for this third session, I need to take this whole thing in a different direction, get more specific, find my niche. After all, I am an artist! All I have to do is apply my artist training and I can overcome any lack of inspiration. There is no such thing as writer's block! (Imagine a thinking montage here, with me pacing, circling ideas on a white board, tapping my foot, tearing paper out of a typewriter, etc). Eureka! I got it! I will write about the specific tech I use as a writer! That is perfect! Tighten my focus to give a nuanced take from my unique perspective. In my creative endeavors, like writing, I use my laptop, a Substack account, and google docs… and so does every other writer.
Wow. What the FBomb is happening?
Oh…
Oh!
Wait a second.
I see what’s happening, I say to myself, slowly realizing in real time what this post is already about. I’m writing about a forced reckoning of my sense of self-importance with actual reality while The Smiths float down into my earbudless ears as I sip my coffee in a local cafe. And aptly so, as I sit here with my laptop at a small round table writing the next important addition to human knowledge, in a long row of tables each occupied by people tapping away on laptops. Cue camera pulling back to reveal endless rows upon rows of people sitting at tables, typing away on laptops, a la The Matrix human battery columns.
Awfully kind of the universe to serve up a “You are not special” moment out of nowhere. And I am being sincere. This is a good thing. However, I do wish I had my earbuds in since Bryan Adams is now the background music that no one in this cafe asked for. But, back to my awakening, it’s helpful to check our ego from time to time. In our modern world, it’s easy to develop a self-centered world view that can destroy our sense of empathy. Moments like this remind me we are all on the same planet just trying our best to get by. And yes, of course, there are aspects of each person that make their existence unique. I am not diminishing that. I am referring to moments when, for whatever reason, we notice we are like everyone else, i.e. seeing the 15 other people here typing away at their next groundbreaking blog post. It’s healthy to view that type of humbling revelation as positive to keep our sense of self-importance in check. Take that opportunity to sigh, shake your head, crack a wry smile, and say we’re all in this together. This wild, unpredictable collective of humanity.
A collective where many members use a cell phone, a laptop, and some bluetooth earbuds daily.