Publisher's Note: Why Technology Is Evil Wonderful

Publishers Note
Commentary by Scot Giambalvo

Why Technology Is Evil Wonderful
I’m relatively confident that I’m never going to leave my computer again. Sorry, Gloria.

I think I can have all the appliances and amenities moved into my office in such a manner that I will only have to depart for the few minutes required in the lavatory.

How silly a statement is that, Scot? You’re not serious, are you Scot?

Well, right now, if I had to make a choice between the real world and eBay, I’m sorry to say, eBay would win. (And if you’re not familiar with eBay, shame on you.) It started a long time ago with a sordid buying frenzy, but now I’ve discovered the sheer pleasure of selling on eBay and it’s a high unparalleled by mortal activities.

Imagine, for instance, that you have this piece of, let’s say, audio equipment. You paid $500 for it new, and you really want to sell it, but you’re sure that, even on consignment, you’re not going to get $200 for it. Bummer, right? And it’ll probably take you six months of frustration via picky, touchy, whining rubber-neckers before you actually sell it. And then, they’ll surely want to know if you’ll take 13 equal payments every Friday, or maybe Saturday, depending on when they cash their checks... plus they want the GEAR first.

Sound familiar?

Enter eBay, the world’s on-line (auction) marketplace. This nifty service lets you auction your “garage sale worthy” storehouse of belongings to the entire world, often at a premium price, with little effort, and practically guaranteed success.
Doesn’t sound too shabby, does it?

So, why don’t I ever want to leave my computer again? Well, I sold a piece of gear I bought about a year ago for almost exactly what I paid for it. (Granted it was barely used, but you have to expect to get less than half on anything you ever sell used.) So, I was very happy. But, I became extremely happy when the unit sold in less than 10 minutes. The bidder/buyer selected a “Buy It Now” feature that basically was the highest price I was willing to ask for without feeling like I was raping the buyer. As a matter of fact, I decided to give up all things tangible for my computer, and start worshipping the eBay gods when the buyer then deposited the $485 in my PayPal account not 10 minutes after that.

Sure, there’s a few percent in fees that the various services slice off the top, but nothing, nothing in this world compares to the instant gratification, and surreal absence of irritating dialogue like “can’t you just sell it to me for $37? I’m a really nice person.”

My eBay epiphany may truly make me the minimalist I have professed to (want to) be for years. Why? Because I’m now completely willing to sell all my worldly possessions just to watch total strangers bid (fight) over them as if they had some magical value, known only to the owner of the eBay Bidder ID “LordVader69”.

On a more serious note...

Please pay careful attention to the Meet The Candidates feature that begins on
page 6. If you weren’t around for last issue’s Publisher’s Note, then you didn’t see my open invitation to the candidates for Harrisburg’s City Council to answer a few questions.

Well, nine of the 14 running made the seven day deadline and submitted answers, along with photos. The edited for space results appear in this issue. (The unedited versions will be posted on our web site in the very near future.) As for the other five? Well, I’m not going to vote for them, if that tells you anything.

Appreciate today for it’s delight... and live in day-tight compartments. :-)

Scot Giambalvo