The set-backs of modern technology

 

I have been given as a gift one of these new electronic contraptions. It is the size of a cell-phone, flat, about two inches by four. You fit it in your pocket and you can listen to books being read to you whilst you're walking, or on the bus, or whatever.

I am presently reading through my ears Samuel Johnson's "History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia". Very gripping. Having just finished listening to James Joyce's "Portrait of the artist as a young man"; and "On ne badine pas avec l'amour" by Alfred de Musset.

The contraption comprises of a white lead which you insert into the machine at one end, and the other end it has two ear-pieces which act as mini speakers when you put them in your ears to listen.

I normally put the machine in my jacket pocket and all one can see is the lead to my ears as I walk happily in the park or wherever I choose to walk.

I also like to listen to books being read to me when swimming at the local municipal baths. Especially books about swimming styles. I originally learnt to swim by reading a book, but all the pages got wet. Pity this new contraption had not been invented back then.

Anyway, the two ear-pieces you put in your ears have been water-proofed. They are OK to be used whilst you are in the water. But unfortunately the contraption itself is not water-proof. I cannot insert it into my swimming trunk pants and jump in the water happily. I was warned about that.

I tried leaving the contraption at the side of the pool, but I could not swim very far because the white lead connecting it to my ears was too short.

A friend of mine bought me a new white lead six metres long, so I could leave the contraption on the side of the pool and swim happily to the story of Captain Ahab and the white whale by Herman Melville. Unfortunately, the lead got in the way of the other swimmers who complained that I was restricting their enjoyment of the municipal bath which, as the name implies, is meant to be a public place and not one for the sole use of myself.

So I now only use the contraption whilst walking, or on the bus, or when watching something boring on TV, or my wife is speaking.

Modern technology is good. But not that good.