Screens

It is a common misconception that the computers at libraries are popular because a surprising number of people don't have Internet access readily available in their lives. Maybe this was true back in the Alta Vista glory days. Maybe it is still true somewhat. But as screens proliferate in our lives, as they make their final march towards taking us over for good, I increasingly find at the library people don't seek out our Internet computers because they have no screen of their own. It is not uncommon for me to see people at my library sitting at the Internet computers looking at their phones, sometimes in front of a small laptop that is propped up in front of the library's greasy Internet screen. They don't need an Internet computer, they need a third screen! There's just so much to search!

And if you think I am exaggerating the whole thing might I point out that to the left of my screen right now is another glowing screen that's, oh, that's just the reflection in the window of my home.

How about this? I actually know what you're doing right now! It involves a screen.

You could, you know, read these essays in a book instead!

I mean, if I could figure out how to make one.