Tech it or leave it

@wwaycorrigan

[For an audio/vlog version of this story, click here.]

Back in my Gaelic (Irish) football-playing days, when the extent of strength and conditioning training was often little more than running and sprinting, I was quite the stickler for following the exact course of any run.

Tech-ache: The rules of engagement are constantly changing. 

For example, if we had to do laps of the field, I wouldn't cut corners — I'd stay outside the lines of the pitch, which was what we were meant to do. And it annoyed me when more laid-back teammates didn't follow these rules. Cheating so-and-sos.

If they happened to finish before me, I'd console myself with the belief that their disingenuous actions would work against them in the, um, long run. (And, quite literally, over longer distances this was usually the case. Or at least the short-cutters would generally finish behind me in such pursuits. It was a different story with sprints. I wasn't blessed with blistering speed.)

'Play up, play up and play the game'

My latent Catholic beliefs no doubt played a part in this mindset. The sinners would be punished for their devilish deeds. OK, they could confess and receive absolution but knowing the characters involved, I figured it was unlikely they'd fess up. 'Mine shall be the Kingdom of Heaven.'

It's one thing, though, being obedient and rules-bound in training. It's quite another to bring that attitude to a competitive game, where winning is everything and your opponents will do what they can to defeat you, including bending if not exactly breaking the rules of engagement. To paraphrase the Kenny Rogers classic, Coward of the County, sometimes you've got to play a little dirty to win.

Or, in a less violent sense, at times you've got to play the field as it is, not as it once was or as you'd like it to be. If not, defeat is inevitable. To avoid that outcome you either adapt to the new conditions or find a different game to play — if that latter option is possible and desirable.

This all resonates with me on various fronts. The most pertinent one is continuous technological advancements, particularly AI, artificial intelligence, in all its forms. For if I continue to play the content creation/multimedia game and dream of better results, there are tools I could use that would most likely enhance what I produce and boost the chances of growing my reach. Yep, still chasing those dragons.

'It's like a man going to battle with a bow and arrow even though some of the most advanced weaponry is at his disposal.'

Now, I've no intention of using AI to write blogs for me. Not only do I view that as beyond cheating — it'd be like a footballer replacing himself on the field with a potentially better robot clone — but it would also be counterproductive personally. I do, you might be shocked to learn, enjoy writing and I like to try to better myself at it, challenging and frustrating as it oftentimes is. In any case, no AI can write like Wrong Way, right?

Laptop lassitude

Where the latest creative technology can be of assistance to me, it seems, is in the making of vlog versions of my blogs. The means, I believe, already exist to make such videos slicker and more eye-catching without much extra effort compared to the crude ones I currently create for Spotify and YouTube. I just haven't dabbled in these means yet.

A general lack of enthusiasm to turn on my laptop these days plays its part. And this laptop lassitude is made more acute in Colombia's hot lands, so my current base of San Martín de los Llanos in the Meta department doesn't help in this regard. Plus, I lack a suitable office with a WiFi connection here — I find it hard to do computer work where I cook, eat and sleep. San Martín, though, is good for me in other ways, I must add.

With my smartphone, I can easily write anywhere. But creating videos requires laptop work. One has greater scope and precision working with a mouse and a bigger screen. Or at least it used to be the case that a computer or laptop was needed to make videos that require a degree of editing. Perhaps the latest smartphones and certain applications make video creation a breeze on phones now. I've had my device, a Motorola One, since 2019; practically a relic in 21st-century tech terms. But if it ain't broke . . .

At play, too, is my minimalist approach and general lack of interest in cutting-edge technology. I use only the apps and gadgets that have become next to essential for my modus operandi, no more, no less.

Nonetheless, to come back to the football field, while I'm still running laps to try to get in shape, most others in this game are working with the best strength and conditioning techniques available.

It's akin to a man going to battle with a bow and arrow even though some of the most advanced weaponry is at his disposal.

So, I either change the way I attack or choose to fight a different war. A blend of both might just be the best option right now.
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Listen to The Corrigan Cast podcast here.

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Less stress, less success in these idle times

@wwaycorrigan

[For an audio/vlog version of this story, click here.]

Stress, especially of the mental variety, is seen as something to be avoided for our overall well-being.

At chronic levels, it can lead to anxiety, depression or other difficult-to-overcome afflictions of the mind.

Having less stress is a good thing in general. This doesn't mean we shouldn't push ourselves, though.

One proven way to reduce mental stress is to counter it with a bit of physical stress on the body i.e. exercise.

This doesn't need to be of an elite-athlete variety. It can be a case of just being active enough to get the heartbeat up a few notches — a brisk walk, some floor exercises at home, even energetically cleaning the house.

Incorporating such physical movements into one's daily routine doesn't appear too complicated, in theory.

However, with all the technological advancements over the decades leading to an increase in sedentary yet no less demanding and time-consuming forms of employment, some people find it hard to fit in physical activity to get that endorphin, feel-good boost. (OK, some are simply lazy, too.)

Indeed, it's a double negative that doesn't produce a positive (mathematics isn't always helpful in real life). The sedentary but demanding employment, stressful in its own right, can leave one with little time and desire for exercise, thereby compounding the stress.

I can only assume that trying to raise a young family alongside all this makes the situation even more problematic. On the flip side, it might provide some welcome comfort, focus and strength.

Otherwise engaged

Whatever the case, for all of the above, I can't say I'm really having to deal with them right now.

As a single, childless man, the raising of a family is not a factor. (Although, one has had complications of late with the odd mentally straining frenemy.)

As for work, while this year has been particularly troubling in terms of a steady income, the positive is that I don't have the time-consuming, stress-inducing, sedentary employment as a concern. (Do note, with my current skill set, the careers in which I could earn the most are those where one spends a lot of time at a computer.)

This lack of paid employment that would see me tied to one place for hours on end means that I have plenty of time to get out and about. OK, I'm not running marathons but I'm usually on my feet moving more than I'm sitting still.

'It's like I'm in early-midlife retirement, minus any pension.'

The generous me-time also allows for what I feel is a cathartic, relaxing mealtime, in that I get to cook my own meal — I generally just need one — almost every day.

In one sense, it's like I'm in early-midlife retirement, minus any pension of course. Thus, it must be temporary, unless I come into a lot of money soon.

And this is the crucial issue here. The consequences of being economically inactive mean it's not a carefree time. While I'm managing my financial affairs for now, it is, to state the obvious, unsustainable in the mid to long term.

It's one of those scenarios where my back isn't completely against the wall yet. It's why I'm still quite picky about the work I'm willing to do.

As for returning to full-time employment, I would have to be well-remunerated to give up my independence. For whatever I may gain in financial recompense, previous working-for experiences tell me that it comes at a significant stress cost.

Stress test

However, not all mental anguish is inherently bad. Stress leading to anxiety or depression is one thing, challenging oneself to expand knowledge or learn a new skill is quite another.

It's like physical activity. When we push ourselves hard, it's taxing on both body and mind. We can even overdo it to the point of burnout and injury. Yet, not doing it will most likely result in a myriad of far worse health complications sooner or later.

So, with both physical activity and workouts for the mind, it's about finding the balance.

Now, I must say that I feel that my mental health is fairly sound.

Yes, this fallow paid-employment period leaves me with much thinking time. And overthinking can be dangerous for the mind. However, when I'm not distracted by technology or barrio temptations — socialising is important — it also offers plenty of beneficial reading time.

And even with all my free time, I still wish I had more hours in the day to read — I am a slow enough reader — and acquire new knowledge. One can never know enough. And one can never know it all.

While all this is, on the whole, keeping stress at bay, it's not like I have no preoccupations. We all do, of course.

Also, right now, it's not a case of, to borrow from the title of a school book I once used, less stress, more success; success measured in monetary terms this is. It could be said it's more like less stress, less success.

Nonetheless, I'm certainly not searching for ways to unnecessarily increase my stress levels.

I want to be excited about and stimulated by my next challenge, not stressed out about it. Ever the idealist.
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Listen to The Corrigan Cast podcast here.

Facebook: Wrong Way Corrigan — The Blog & IQuiz "The Bogotá Pub Quiz".