After watching coverage of the CES—the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I realized I could add a new syndrome to the growing list of syndromes identified every day. After all, there's Restless Leg. There's Alien Hand Syndrome (that's when your hand has a mind of its own. When I pass a tray of bear claws and uncontrollably grab several against my will, I think I actually have Alien Hand Syndrome. But maybe I just have a sweet tooth.)
Here's a new syndrome I'm certain I've developed - Two Steps Behind The Techno-Curve Syndrome. By the time I master some new software or gadget, it's obsolete. Reports from this year's Consumer Electronics Show, now buzzing in fabulous Las Vegas, really make me feel like a luddite. (What would the Rat Pack think if they saw their beloved burg awash in 200,000 guys with nerd packs?) But, I digress.
How could anyone possibly keep pace with all the latest? But then, why would you want to ?
Samsung announced it will have 21 (count 'em) 21 TV models over 60 inches. And I must wonder... why? Are the frames in 21 different colors to match your decor? Are there paisley and polka-dot models? Or is there some true variance in features that warrants 21 iterations of a TV? My current - and only TV is much smaller, and that's ok. Watching it unplugged is usually much more entertaining than what is offered on the 9,000 channels it gets.
Here's another pointless gizmo everyone should stop and ask themselves... do I really, really need this? A home thermostat you can regulate with a smart phone. Because that little dial thingy or touch screen already on my wall is just so... old fashioned and hard to reach - I have to move my arm above my waist to get to it. Then, it doesn't remember when I like the heat on or off like the new gizmo at CES will do. Gotta have one — never.
Note to all those 200,000 CES attendees. Unlike a fine musical instrument, or a piece of art, or a good book, or a walk through the park on a nice day - everything - no exceptions - at the CES show is future landfill. Probably within just a year or two.
