Games & Problem-solving

This is sort of Palm/PDA related, sort of “life” related. Every day I check several websites that update me on news about Palm, smartphone and PDA development and software. It seems the overwhelming majority of new software is GAMES. I don’t get it. First off, I guess I am at a time in my life when I want to be more productive – not less productive. Secondly, I can’t resist the thought that if people spent as much time problem-solving in their own life as they spend on-line or on an X-BOX, their lives would not be in such a mess. I am not completely discounting the entertainment value of any toy or game; I guess I am just advocating BALANCE – in all things. Which has pretty much been my motto since I knew what “motto” meant, and that I could adopt one as my own.

Entertainment has value. It provides relaxation and diversion from stress or boredom, to be certain. But there is something in me that screams, “Take a life situation (problem) and make the solving of it a game. Twirl it around in your mind. Try on the different scenarios. Consider the possible outcomes. Take control of your own life-decisions.”

Some months ago I read a blog of a woman ranting about her husband’s incessant use of the internet – how he was literally addicted to it. She was very tired of coming home after a day at work, then fixing dinner, fetching kids here and yon, trying to keep a semblance of order in her home (laundry, groceries, lunches, social obligations, etc.) while her husband spent the entire evening (every evening) surfing. Her summation was, “Can we get some productivity here?”

Good advice for us all. Problem-solving. GOOD STUFF!

storms

Well, I love a good thunderstorm as much as anybody, but we had a couple roll through last week that did some damage. Soaking rains and a bit of wind brought down this huge old tree, which smashed this car in Priscilla’s neighborhood, on my route to work.

dirt simple

I have been reading through some of the very thought-provoking essays by PJE (link added today). I have only read a few of the posts, but have found each one more than I can get my mind around in one read-thru.

Take a look around the site, and read one or two. I would suggest starting with "The Multiple Self" (which has nothing to do with schizophrenia), or "Zen and the Art of DIY Brain Surgery" (just scroll down a bit - to March 25). Interesting. Very interesting. Good stuff, that.