FFOAD: Dean Koontz

I don’t really hate Dean Koontz. He’s an excellent author with a fine body of work enjoyed by readers around the world. It’s just how he writes his chapters.

2-3 page chapters, which keep you reading. “Oh it’s only 2-3 pages, and I don’t want to quit now!”

Next thing you know you’re looking at the clock and realized if you take a quick shower and stop a a drive-thru for breakfast, you can just make it to work on time. Sleep? Later.

So thanks for all the wonderful books Mr. Koontz. But on behalf of those that have spent many sleepless nights because you can’t seem to write longer chapters – this Friday, FOAD.

Yes, you too can be a Techno-Transient

I was reading a book last night and with the TV on in the background (apologies to Al Gore), an advertisement came on that reaffirmed my understanding why my remote’s “Mute” button is used most often.

Apparently, for a small fee I can take my home wherever I go! Internet, phone, TV, music, and more!

Uh, isn’t that how we describe the homeless? Sorry. “Transients”. (It sounds so much more Sanitation Engineer when you say it that way, and no dirty looks when you suggest they be called Urban Outdoorspeople.)

I can’t figure out how people making more money that I ever will can sell these ideas. Take your home with you when you leave home! Aside from the contradiction in terms, why would I want to take home with me when I go out? I can argue that I leave home to get away from the dirty dishes, not drag them out with me so I can hear them rattling around in the back seat.

When I vacation somewhere, I want to experience where I am. If I want to have my own home with me at all times, I won’t leave home, I’ll just spend extra time looking at pictures of places that interest me. Why spend the money for travel if I’m just going to pop in the ear buds of my iPod and listen to a playlist, log into the internet and surf away, or watch my favorite shows?

Worse than the fact that well-paid people came up with this Techno-Transient ad campaign is that someone making more money than them decided that it was the best idea presented, and gave the okay to run with it.

Of course, I still read books that are printed on paper and not on a website so I might be missing something.