Lost in Technology

I’m lost. I’m stuck. I’m sitting on the floor in a room that quite frankly has seen better days with a black Mac that’s staggering on its last legs towards Apple Heaven, it’s rainbow wheel and whirring fan desperately pleading with me to take it to the Genius Bar, get a real job, earn some money and buy it’s much longed for upgrade.

I think it’s Lion next---I think that’s what they’re calling the software these days---though I’ve now missed out on quite a few generations of upgrade. In the grand scheme of the confusingly felinesque branded hard…uh…soft…whateverware, I think I’ve forced my mac to stay forever a simple moggy, the local tabby cat, while other, more cared for laptops are speeding along, sporting characteristics aptly described as ‘snow leopard’, ‘panther’ or…who knows what.

I do feel guilty. Much like I suppose a parent earning just enough to cover the food bills and necessary school uniform does when their child disappears into a sea of well-groomed, logo wearing, gadget touting kids at the school gates.

But while I hope that the fundamental qualities of parenting still remain the same, still remain as effective in raising well-adjusted, happy, intelligent, loved children regardless of these add-on’s and upgrades to their kids’ lives, I’m no longer sure that this is true of trying to work as a writer.

Yes, the talented writer can write regardless of whether they have a computer strapped to their sides, paper and pen will do quite nicely at getting the words down on the paper thank you very much, but in today’s fast paced world full of every man for himself freelancers, does the man with the speedy computer and tip top wifi have the edge?

To put it in exam paper form: If Tom and Ben both finish their hard-hitting, top news column 4 minutes before the deadline, will they both make it to the editors desktop at the same time? Or will Ben’s ‘I’m just hanging in there’ PC abort it’s operation twice before finally deciding to send the column on through, ensuring his work is marked as ‘late’, whilst Tom’s top-of-the-range ‘fully-upgraded’ Apple Mac sends it through in 30 seconds flat, leaving him time to drink a shot of espresso and sit back, smiling as he visualises his masterpiece being read and the hearty congratulations coming his way? Answers on a postcard please.

Yes- that might be a little bit of an unnecessarily long-winded way to look at it and, let’s be honest, we shouldn’t really be submitting work in 4 mins pre-deadline anyway. However, it is important to sit up and take note of the fact that the internet and computers are fast becoming our sole tool in this, and many other, businesses. No longer is it enough to possess a sharp mind and equally sharp pencil, nowadays there are all sorts of money gobbling tools, equipment, software etc. considered necessary to your writing career.

Whilst reading books and doing physical research are still important, there is now a huge amount of research that is internet based, and those with quicker access to the net are likely to be able to get their information compiled and out to the important people and places faster than those without the same luxury.

I’m constantly finding out about writing opportunities I’ve missed because I haven’t seen them advertised online: whether it be on facebook, on BBC Writersroom, on Craigslist or on Ideastap. Often the reason I haven’t trawled through these websites isn’t because I don’t find them interesting, but because what takes one person two clicks and three minutes on their computer, can take me 17 clicks, 25 minutes and 2 reboots.

It’s not just writing: PainesPlough sent out an email the other day inviting people to their open auditions, and giving places to only those in the first 90 emails. So yes…those with the lastest iPhone will, most likely (I am of course assuming) make up the majority of that audition turn out.

In other news: Not only do you need a fast, internet connected computer, but you need it to be attached to a working printer. I broke my printer, and quickly found out that it’s a) not easy and b) sometimes impossible to find somewhere to print documents for you at late notice nowadays.

I’ve had work turned down, or branded amateur, because I haven’t been able to get my hands on a copy of Final Draft Pro…which retails at a BILLON POUNDS. Or…y’know maybe a little bit less.

As I exit my phase of venting, I’d like to express that I’m not quite as naïve or self-pitying as the above may suggest. I know that everything needs some kind of investment: be it financial, time or otherwise, and I also know that if you want something enough you’ll work hard to get it. I’m well aware that people have succeeded in life with much more to deal with than a slightly cantankerous computer and, finally, yes I will admit that if I cut things like glasses of wine or lattes out of my budget for a few weeks I could most probably afford some of the things I’m instead sitting here moaning about.

I do, however, feel justified in bringing this issue up. Ultimately, hard work and talent will out. Of course it will. And perhaps networking and finding out about opportunities has always been just as hard work and related to luck as it is now, regardless of the role technology is currently playing. Though, at the risk of sounding years older than my mere 24, I can’t help wondering if it’s all happening too fast. Are we losing talented writers who lack the money or expertise to make the most of the computer age? Are some of our best actors without constant internet access missing out on important auditions and last minute casting calls? Are we prematurely leaving behind a generation of superb artists and designers because they don’t have access to the latest upgrades?

I don’t know for certain. Plus, for every person that agrees with me on this, another will have an equally valid point about why the technological advances are a boon for our business. But that’s for another time. Right now I’m going to save this document and then restart my computer to get rid of the small warning that keeps flashing up, trying to express it’s concerns about my hard disk space to me, but refusing to go away when I click it. Hopefully when I switch my computer back on the warning box will be gone and this document will still be here. Hope I’m not asking too much…