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I don't know if this is the best place to put this, or how many of you read Ralph's Live Journal... in any case, I'd still like some feedback on this.

Recently, he wrote about a device made to block Fox News from your TV. That's right, instead of using the channel blocker to get rid of it, liberals and others who can't stand the "bias" of Fox News can buy a simple little device that attaches to their TV and filters out the signal entirely. Also, you get a little letter to mail off to Fox News, letting them know how you've decided to block their "biased content". Not sure why anyone would want to have either, but then I actually like watching Fox News.

Anyway, a fellow going by the name of "vrghr" posted a link to something called an "automatic mouse mover" and a "mover and clicker" version as well.

My first thought is that anyone who gets these kinda things for any reason other than to help them do something they cannot is a lazy SOB.

But a friend of mine pointed out that, technically, anyone who uses a calculator, or even an abacus, is a lazy SOB. Obviously, the criteria was not clearly defined enough.

So, I thought for a bit, and decided to amend my statement:

Convenience obtained solely for its own sake, or which does not yield a significant advantage, is outright laziness.

This is far more clear, but I still feel it's inadequate to describe the kind of person who buys a GPS when they do just fine with maps. My friend ain't so good with them, and has trouble with directions, so it's useful to him. But anyone who is able to function without such a device needs a legitimate reason to prevent them from being classified as lazy.

It's an interesting thought. I encourage anyone who has anything to add to speak up. We might be able to get a clear definition in as little as five posts.

Submitted that a GPS is more compact, more accurate, and does not require you to be familiar with the local landmarks to determine your location.
portable paper maps, after all, do not have a "you are here" arrow on them.

Hmm, point.

The main problem I'm dealing with here is the line between laziness and convenience. There's a point where getting something for your "convenience" is really just another way of being lazy.

I'm not sure where the line is. Probably a jagged one that shifts according to the situation.

*shrugs* I just wanted to try and find a clear definition of where it is. I guess I may have to settle for the original until I think up something better. =P Or someone blows mine out of the water with theirs. Whichever comes first.

"Laziness" is refusing to do something that is necessary when it is necesary, or doing it dawdlingly and ineffectively.

"Convenience" is finding a way to do it immediately and effectively, <I>but with less effort and waste.</i> Cost effectively, in other words.

Words to live by from my Grandmother:

"Need is the Mother of survival...Laziness is the Mother of invention. Thank God all humans are lazy SOBs."

IMHO, there is very little dividing convinece and laziness. 50 years ago I would be considered a lazy woman for not wanting to bear children and stay home. 20 years ago I would have been considered lazy for not wanting to cook dinner every night. 10 years ago I was considered lazy for bribing my sister to clean my room by doing her engish homework. ::shurgs:: Laziness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

^_^ back to lurking.....

[edit] I would just like to add that as a person who gets lost going to the bathroom across the hall in the middle of the night, I would love a GPS...*hint hint to my sister...I know you're reading this you witch...no more crappy makeup for presents ;p)

Aaaaand there we go. Thank you Ralph. =P If I could look at things from a different perspective, I'd probably figure these things out more quickly.

Defining laziness definitely clears things up a bit. Convenience isn't the problem; doing things half-@$$ed is. Only a lazy SOB would avoid doing something or only do it partway. Or make a shoddy product.

But to spend your money on something you don't need isn't so much laziness as it may be wasteful spending. It depends on how much you end up using it, and whether the darn thing is properly made for its purpose. And then you have to weigh the pros and cons... like the GPS.

You know where you are on the map. But the thing's accurate to a certain distance. Make sure this does not exceed the distance between you and a nearby cliff.

Locura's grandmother said much more clearly what I've been saying for years. I've always felt it was a lazy man who invented the wheel, while his hard-working friends continued to haul stuff around on their backs.

As for the GPS; It's handy while driving. My cheap little handheld model tells me where I am, what direction I'm traveling, my speed (handy for checking my speedometer when driving an unfamiliar car) how far to my destination, and what direction from my present location that destination is. Ever try to read a map while driving? Annoying, isn't it? Glancing at a little screen stuck with velcro to my dashboard is much safer and easier.

While hiking in the woods, there are a lot of places where there are no visible landmarks. A map and compass will let you extrapolate approximately where you are if you count how many paces you've walked from a known point on a known compass bearing, but even a cheap GPS will tell you where you are to within less than .01 miles. That's USUALLY close enough that I can figure out the rest of the way myself.

StrangeWulf13 wrote:But to spend your money on something you don't need isn't so much laziness as it may be wasteful spending. It depends on how much you end up using it, and whether the darn thing is properly made for its purpose. And then you have to weigh the pros and cons... like the GPS.

I bought a pocket PC to keep my scedual on because I need something to beep at me every time I need to do something. I does have other uses, like the word prosesser and mp3 players (and reading Ralph's comics I downloaded ), but it has helped me out a lot. Was it worth the $350 I spent for it? I say yes.

I bought a 200 gig hard drive recently. I needed a new drive because my old one decided to comit suicid. 200 Gb is a lot more than I currently plan on using, but it is going to be put in my new computer when I get the money. Therefor, I decided to buy one to last me awhile.

UncleMonty wrote:Locura's grandmother said much more clearly what I've been saying for years. I've always felt it was a lazy man who invented the wheel, while his hard-working friends continued to haul stuff around on their backs.

Dude, you are scaring me, you dound like my dad. Honestly, he blabbers the same stuff. Self flushing sanitary toilets? LAZY!!.
And I had such high hopes for you. 8)

It took you this long to find this topic, Solidus? =P Me thinks you are out of practice...

I needed to rest my old and tired eyes. Still I hate it when people label every inovation as "lazy".

StrangeWulf13 wrote:This is far more clear, but I still feel it's inadequate to describe the kind of person who buys a GPS when they do just fine with maps. My friend ain't so good with them, and has trouble with directions, so it's useful to him. But anyone who is able to function without such a device needs a legitimate reason to prevent them from being classified as lazy.

I'm very good at reading maps.....of all kinds. However, I have a GPS program for my laptop that I use in the limo that I drive. The larger moving display is all I need to glance at while driving to know precisely where I am. I also sometimes get hung-up in traffic for a variety of reasons such as road work, accidents, etc. The fact that I can find an alternate route in just a few seconds on the fly is a tremendous advantage when I'm in a time crunch.

I can function without this thing quite well and have done so for the past 15+ years of professional driving. But it's much more than a "cool techy toy" an affectation or an extravagant "convenience". It's a valuable tool that is rapidly becoming indespensible seeing that I no longer have to purchase seperate map books for different towns or states that I sometimes travel to. It's also one helluva lot faster to find an obscure location with.

As I said, I'm more than capable of functioning without this thing because I still have all my map books. But, the fact that I have it, and use it extensively, I don't think classifies me as "lazy".

BTW....No offense has been taken....I just think you needed to see another side of this particular aspect of the issue.

Shaaruuk

StrangeWulf13 wrote:


This is far more clear, but I still feel it's inadequate to describe the kind of person who buys a GPS when they do just fine with maps. My friend ain't so good with them, and has trouble with directions, so it's useful to him. But anyone who is able to function without such a device needs a legitimate reason to prevent them from being classified as lazy.

So do you use a calculator or do all your math out on paper? Sure the calculator can save time, but by your logic it is "lazY".

Do you have a package brought to your house or do you drive to whomever wants to send it to you?

Do you grow all your own produce or go to the store?

Do you have a wood burning stove and cut down the tees using an axe?

Do you walk everywhere?

*sigh* I've made other posts in this thread. Please read them before you go responding to what I say. Ralph pretty much made a good point I couldn't ignore, and I've since dropped interest in this.

Lordy, I feel like a fool sometimes when I'm proved wrong, even if the other people mean no harm... -_-;; Argh.

StrangeWulf13 wrote:*sigh*Lordy, I feel like a fool sometimes when I'm proved wrong, even if the other people mean no harm... -_-;; Argh.

Hey dude..don't sweat it. *puts an arm across his shoulders* I've been proven wrong on these forums so many times I quit counting. Annnnnd, sometimes we can get a little ascerbic if not downright acidic in our responses. As for me...even if the shots are directed at me, I don't take it personally.....and neither should you.....

C'mon....lets go grab a beer. *steers toward bar with StrangeWulf*

Shaaruuk

Ah, heavy is the burden of being me. Perfection can be such a curse.

Perfection is always a curse.

*Chops off the end of Solidus's tail.*

There, now you're imperfect; the curse is lifted. That'll be $23.00 +tax.

*Absent-mindedly wonders how long it would take for a rabid raccoon to skin a grown man.*

*just grows the missing tail back*

Bah, do you know how many times this happens? Luckily that nice Dr. Conners was able to help me.

SolidusRaccoon wrote:Ah, heavy is the burden of being me. Perfection can be such a curse.

OOOooooo....and humility too!!

Shaaruuk

Sharuuk wrote:

SolidusRaccoon wrote:Ah, heavy is the burden of being me. Perfection can be such a curse.

OOOooooo....and humility too!!

Shaaruuk

I don't know what else he is heavy with, but I'll bet it's measured either in pounds or PSI.