Chapter 5 – Hardware (Organizing with Technology)
Microcassette Recorders – Instant Scribes At Your Service
Why talking to yourself isn’t always a sign of insanity
Organizers keep track of information you put into them by writing, or by punching keys. Sometimes, there are situations in which it is inconvenient, or impossible to do this. For example, while driving, or when your train of thought is so fast, you need to record your ideas as quickly as possible before they vaporize into outer space. It is in these scenarios when a microcassette recorder becomes vital.
The key function of a microcassette recorder – MR – is to serve as a temporary storage location for your ideas. Most people continue to ponder and solve the problems that they turn over and over in their minds, even as they go about their daily activities. Sometimes, ideas and inspirations just pop into their heads. These times of insight should not be wasted. Ideas are fleeting things. Reminding yourself that you will remember a certain idea will not guarantee that you will absolutely remember it, or recall it successfully when the time comes to use it. Even when you apply the memory skills learned in Chapter Three, remember that we cannot compromise on our mission as a cyborg. We must guarantee success. If we come up with a really good idea to put into an essay, we must make sure that we remember to do so when we sit down to write it, and get the marks we deserve. The ease at which we can simply pick up the MR and record the idea into it is remarkable. I make keeping records of my ideas a high priority. One would be amazed at the reservoir of inspiration and solutions the mind is capable of on a daily basis. When we use the MR, we maximize the efficiency of our brains. The subconscious efforts that it makes to solve our problems should not be wasted. You see, the mind almost always is engaged in problem-solving. It is another survival trait of humans and cyborgs. Unfortunately, when we finally do come to a solution, the brain considers the matter finalized, and the case closed. It is up to us to record the results in a permanent form, and free the mind to work on other things.
Another very important function that a microcassette recorder does for us is make our memory skills more effective. The manner in which this is accomplished is by recording our memory stories into the MR. Then, when we start to memorize the story by picturing the images in our heads, we simply close our eyes, and listen to the MR. This added benefit of concentrating on the physical sound of our voice narrating the memory story highly reinforces the imprinting of the information into our memory. In addition, we would not have to open our eyes to check up on the accuracy of our memory image. We simply rewind the tape, and listen to the story again. With the MR, memorizing the images is best done when lying in bed, ready to go to sleep. We are relaxed, and our minds are focused. There is no external distraction, no noise, no light, to disrupt our attention. In this totally focused state of mind, memory images achieve a vividness not otherwise present. Then, when we go to sleep, the memory images are well ingrained and our minds can perform the consolidation process during our sleep. In the morning, it is as easy as pushing a button, to review the entire memory sequence.
One important issue I must raise is the controversy surrounding the use of cassette recorders to record classroom lectures or other such information. I highly discourage this. If a student knows that the entire lecture is being recorded onto tape, he or she will not likely pay as much attention in class, letting the MR do the job. Then, when the time comes to review the material, not only does the student have to listen to the entire lecture again, but has to really pay attention for the first time, and take notes. It’s like going to school twice! Once is already more than enough for most people! Therefore, use the MR conscientiously. Don’t make it a substitute for paying attention. Above all, don’t use it as a mental trashcan, filing away all your ideas but never listening to the tapes again, and never doing anything about all those neat ideas. It is very easy to accumulate an enormous collection of MR tapes, and not have to time or patience to listen to them and extract the ideas. One full cassette is more than enough work for one night. Consolidate your tapes as soon as possible, and that means whenever you have access to a pen and paper, or a word-processor, or your organizer.
Finally, always label the cassettes, and make sure you don’t record over information that you haven’t yet consolidated. I have two cassettes that I mainly use. One is entitled “random thoughts” and the other is labeled “project.” On this latter tape, I record inspirations and revelations related to an ongoing assignment. In effect, the assignment is constantly being completed while I go about my activities. The only tasks remaining would be to consolidate the ideas in a coherent manner and type out the resulting product. The MR makes my life much easier by making normally unproductive periods of time – such as while traveling in a car, or walking to school – fruitful and potentially lucrative.
Cyborg SideKicks – More Products that Enhance your Power
Recommendations from the curator of all things neato
One basic premise of working or studying is that it is usually confined to a desk. This is an unfortunate situation, for the desk and chair do not necessarily offer the body a comfortable mode of posturing. Students and executives often complain of back problems, or difficulty in concentration, because of discomfort at the table. This is especially apparent during the reading of textbooks. However, a device has been invented which brings a whole new meaning to the term “bedside reading.” I refer to nothing other than the miraculous prism glasses. These are eyeglass frames on which are mounted twin optical prisms. They reflect light at an angle, and allow you to read a book while lying flat on your bed. You simply put the glasses on, head resting comfortably on a pillow, and put your book on your chest or tummy. You can read entire books very comfortably, and your brain might even benefit from the additional oxygen through increased circulation. One caveat of this is that you may find it somewhat easier to drift off to sleep in such a position! Nevertheless, the prism glasses offer a very feasible alternative for aspiring academic hunchbacks and corporate gargoyles. The prism glasses can be found at specialty stores such as The Sharper Image and Hammacher-Schlemmer.
In the event that your work requires writing, or otherwise demands that you remain at the desk, you should take measures to ensure maximum comfort. The most effective way of achieving that is to purchase an orthopedic support, or contoured backrest, to sit on. The best product in this category is probably the OBUS Forme(r), an award-winning backrest created by Frank Roberts, a Canadian industrial designer. While recovering from an injury, Frank found it very painful to sit without some kind of back support. Conventional products did little to ease his discomfort, and thus he took it upon himself to design what he felt would be the best orthopedic support product in the world. He seems to have achieved that goal. The OBUS Forme(r) is internationally-recognized and acclaimed. It attaches to the chair you sit on, and is a world of difference for the desk-bound worker. OBUS Forme(r) products are available at many places, and your local chiropractor would assuredly be able to help you locate a source. Be sure to ask specifically for it by name.
Another important item on the agenda for a comfortable environment at the desk is good lighting. Sometimes, desks have lighting that comes at an angle, creating shadows that are not only distracting, but obscure certain portions of the work. The shadow of a pen, for instance, can fall on the writing in a very annoying manner. To minimize this problem, use multiple lighting sources. Position the lights in such a way as to cut down on the extent of interference by shadows. Usually three lights positioned around the person will be the optimum arrangement, and two lights are the minimum requirement. The increased ambient illumination will also help you focus and awaken you during the working process. As for myself, I use three lights. The first is a standard desklamp, followed by a hovering light just above the book I am reading, or the paper I am writing on. The third light comes in the form of a spotlight with a “crane” neck, that shines from behind me and over my shoulder. This way, I eliminate all shadows, and can even train the lights to focus on the book, subconsciously helping to redirect my attention away from my surroundings and onto my work. Remember, careful attention to detail when it comes to creating a proper working environment will help you perform at your best. Physical discomfort is the easiest and most apparent problem to tackle, and should not come between you and your work. Good lighting is important, but comfort while sitting is a must. That is why I recommended the orthopedic back rest. It would be especially appreciated during your sessions in front of a computer.
