The Things I Think I Need otherwise known as TITIN. I think I caught it. It explains much of my thinking over the past few decades. I’m pretty sure there are no med’s for it, although I suppose I could ask my family doctor. He may get a kick out of it or have the same affliction, disease, broken thinking, or whatever ya call it.
My TITIN thinking is trying to justify purchasing a new laptop or an iPad Pro or a Surface Go to replace an old Chromebook and a nine year old Macbook. I use both of these tools for writing on my blog, reading your blogs, checking emails, editing my images and, of course internet shopping for the next thing I think I need.
According to marketing both tools are outdated, which means there are hands wanting to take more money from my wallet for their latest and greatest. They don’t seem to understand there is no money in the wallet. I’m retired! Every once in awhile the Sugar Mama solution enters my mind but the side effects may be worse than the solution.
In all honesty the Macbook is outdated due the constant updating of software. However, my simple needs are met with both the tools I have. I wonder if TITIN is related to GAS Cramps.
9 Comments
Joseph Smith
I don’t fret over upgrading or replacing existing gear. I do mull over new things ad nauseam. It becomes analysis-paralysis and eventually and I’ll end up buying the next version because I fretted too long over the current one. For the time being I have no GAS bubbling up and it’s a nice place to be.
Monte Stevens
Glad to hear that Joe! 🙂 We can look but don’t need to pick flower. Use what I have.
Tom Dills
TITIN…what an interesting concept, Monte. I think that a lot of the urge to buy stuff comes from how we are continually marketed to, and we try to resist by clinging to the idea of buying things that last. Unfortunately those two concepts are in constant conflict because of planned obsolescence and shoddy quality. At some point having to replace a computer or a camera becomes inevitable, but more often than not it has more to do with outdated technology than physical failure. I know that you’re hanging on as long as you can, so hang in there! I will say, though, that I’ve had fewer GAS attacks since I stopped looking at photography magazines!
Monte Stevens
Subscribing to dpreview does not help.Seem to get blasted in the face almost every day with something new. Not having money helps to keep me from purchasing.
Mark
Love the acronym Monte. I think I used to suffer from this quite a bit, evident by the collection of “stuff” sitting in my basement. Now I look at it and wonder why I ever wasted money on this or that.
That TITIN syndrome seems to definitely change as we age, that’s for sure. Then again, I stopped regular reading of sites (like dpreview that you mentioned! ) that continuously throw this or that in our faces stating how much better it is.
I do suppose my 10+ year old Mac is coming due soon, but I am able to still edit photos (albeit sometimes needing patience) and most things I need. I just have to give up the latest and greatest OS features.
Monte Stevens
I can’t edit raw files from my Fujifilm cameras without updating Lightroom and can’t update Lightroom without updating my OS and can’t update to the new OS without a new laptop. At the present time I’m content with shooting Jpeg.
Mark
There is an inherit built in spending limiter in tech. Sooner or later it keeps you from spending more because you have to update everything. 🙂
Cedric Canard
Hmm, who wouldn’t have that seeing as we’re constantly told through ads that our lives are incomplete without some product or other 🙂
Fortunately for my bank balance, I thoroughly dislike shopping. Even online. Or maybe I simply don’t enjoy choosing, which is a problem these days. When I truly need something, no matter what it is, I never “shop around” lest I give up. Researching products is a sure way of keeping my money in my pocket. And this is true for anything from picking a restaurant to buying a car.
So you see, the weird thinking doesn’t stop at Plop 😉
Monte Stevens
I love your weird thinking! 🙂 My limited bank account also keeps me from shopping. I know people who shop online on a regular basis. If they want it and have the money, or not, they push the confirm button and in 24 hours have it in hand. I suspect I could retire on the money spent during one week for the cost of packaging and shipping of these products. And, when the product arrives the craving for more is already kicking in as we wonder “What if I had it in blue?” 🙁