If Life is about Compromise, why should Technology be any different?

Having a conversation with someone they dropped The Question to me.

What kind of computer would you recommend?

If you know someone intimately, like a good close friend, you will be able to have a better time at this but you will always need to know some more information.

• What are you using it for?
• How much are you willing to spend?
• How are you going to be using it?
• What size would you like to have?
• Does color matter?
• Do you have a favorite brand?
• Do you have a least favorite brand?

Have you noticed that list has no technology specifics listed yet?

You see, it's easy to say "Mac vs PC" but that's not always the right question to ask. 

To me, the decision making process for getting a new PC is just the same as getting a new Car, moving to a new address, choosing new shoes.  I fail to see the difference on the broad level.

If you have "more money than brains", you can go to the store and buy anything you like.  I got into a conversation with a car salesperson once.   She said that once someone came in and she wanted a new car.  When pressed with the list above, she was told firmly "I want the blue one".

Yes, "I want the blue one".  

We had a laugh at it, but that sort of mindset but it is very prevalent in people who do not understand something.  Again, it's broadly - this could be applied to cars, computers, cookery, and many other aspects of life that start with letters other than C.

So once we get past all the basics, many folks are overwhelmed.

The "How much" question:

• How much storage do you need?
• How many people will you put in the car?
• How many burners do you want on your new stove?

They're all the same question, merely applied to a different "technology".  If you have never believed that cooking is technology and science first, allow me to suggest baking some bread from scratch. 

The next time you consider running out and getting that new shiny object, ask yourself another question - what will I get out of it?

Sure, it's derivative of the questions on the first list, but being general is an asset in making decisions.

The best suggestion I can give to anyone is to find their inner three year old.  That beautiful little toddler that you once were had none of the answers and also no fear.   Your beautiful three year old self had the most important question ever asked.

Why?

That simple little word is the fulcrum to the lever that will move the whole world.