Gadgets

My best friend in Dubai said to me yesterday: « I think you’re spending too much money on electronics », later adding something along the lines of, but in most other areas you’re pretty sensible with money.

What to make of this? Firstly, it’s not often that we have people close enough who can make such remarks. How often do we not say such honest things to our friends? It’s more common not have people who know us well enough to be able to make such comments.

The second question, is whether of course the comment is true? It’s certainly worth reflecting on. I have bought a number of gadgets in the past few weeks. Let’s go through the list:

– a digital SLR camera with lens, plus iphone 4

– a Samsung S4 for my daughter

– a Sony camcorder

– and now, an expensive lens for my camera

That seems like a lot. But let me try and justify things. The first items were ordered by a friend in Abidjan who has already paid me for them through my Ivorian account. So, although my credit card took a blow, there’s no money lost and no addition to my stock of possessions. Item two, is a family promise that on graduating from school, you get a smartphone and a laptop. The latter still needs to be bought. Item three was something cheapish, but I think important for filming the start of life for my up-coming baby daughter. For me, such memories are precious, especially as I’ll probably miss out on a fair bit over the coming months because I won’t be with my wife.

The latter is the most expensive item on the list – a top of the range Canon prime lens for my digital SLR. To justify this purchase, I’ll say that camera enthusiasts are generally big spenders and love the latest gismos. For my part, I’ve had three SLRs, all in the Rebel range since 2004. I’ve sold a lot of photo and video work through these cameras and definitely recuperated my investments. I’ve generally not bought lenses, or just cheapish ones. For the last two years, the only lens on my camera has been the $200 40mm pancake lens, which gives decent images and has a very low form factor. I have the cheapest tripod imaginable. But it’s time to take my photos to another level, and I was inspired by this set of photos, many of which were taken with the lens I’ve just bought (24mm, 1.4). I’m well aware of the danger of thinking that gadgets make the photographer, but I really believe this lens will help me capture a different range of images in my new job.

In general, is the charge true? Many people might reply: who cares as long as you can afford it? For me though, I hope it’s a key value in my life to be modest, even austere, and not to waste money in the good times and so get used to a standard of living that I have to make too many sacrifices to maintain throughout my life. That seems like a loss of freedom to me. My happiness and productivity have never been linked to how much money I’ve earned.

So, am I (or have a become) a gadget lover? I used to pride myself for having the cheapest Nokia phone possible while in Abidjan. Have I lost the plot and become corrupted?

Looking around my apartment gives a few different answers. On the positive side first, I have an electric guitar – second hand, cheap and being sold tomorrow for close to what I initially paid for it. I have this work laptop, which is my main computer – nothing fancy, no cost, and going back to my employer in two weeks. I listen to music on an ipod shuffle – cheap and practical. Headphones are cheap.

On neutral ground is a Swatch watch – more expensive than a time piece needs to be, but hardly breaking the bank. There’s a Kindle as well – the cheapest ‘tablet’ you can get, and nothing more than a reader. I don’t think it qualifies as extravagant, even if it is another gadget.

On the negative side, in front of me I have a 42 inch 3D television with blu-ray player and a (basic) cable network package. Seems extravagant, especially as apart from the occasional film, I don’t actually watch television. This was really a concession to my wife – she didn’t actually ask for it, but in my mind, it would be a symbol for her of us being comfortable in Dubai. I guess it does qualify as wasteful, though I hope to get a good price for it when I sell. It was about the only thing I didn’t buy second hand for the flat. I could easily live without a television, but we can’t force our own values and interests on other people including our partners.

Then there’s my phone – I have just one (well, I use my old Nokia when I travel) and it’s a Samsung Galaxy S3 with a cracked screen. Is it cutting edge? No. Is it an expensive, sophisticated phone? Yes. Is is well used? Yes daily, as a reader, social media tool and camera. I could happily keep this phone for many years to come, and I certainly don’t see the need for a bigger screen, better resolution or finer camera. I don’t feel guilty about this luxury. I also don’t have a contract – I just top up when I need to, and I’d guess I’ve spent no more than 300 aed on phone credit this year.

I have a GPS sports watch (a gift from the above mentioned friend), which tracks my running and was an incredible asset during my marathon.

Finally, and most worryingly, there’s an iMac sitting on the table, almost never used. It’s definitely the worst purchase I made in Dubai. In its defence, I think its time has yet to come, and it still retains value. When I leave Dubai, it will be the only computer I have on me, and everyone needs a computer. It is in some ways crucial for my 2015 goals in multimedia work. But I regret not buying the laptop version, and buying something that I haven’t made greater use of.

Is there a conclusion to this? It’s clear I have quite a few electronic gadgets, many of which are rather sophisticated. There’s something that doesn’t quite fit there for someone who claims to value ideas of modesty, austerity and the simple life. There are definite warning flags. Then again, with few exceptions, these gadgets are well-used and bring a lot to my life in terms of achieving goals, productivity and enjoyment. I get the point though, that I need to be careful. As a great man said: « Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. »

A wider issue, for which I don’t have an answer to, is how to install values in your family. If your daughter feels a state-of-the-art smartphone is a key reward and sign of parental love, what should you do?

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