Make yourself comfortable, Mr. Thoreau. Some green tea? An organic protein bar? Given the demands of your cabin and garden, we're grateful you've agreed to test out the prototype of PodPad -- the exciting new Internet platform, phone, writing slate, security camera, and baby monitor. All in one.
HDT: I'll do my best. Although I've often said that inventions are wont to be pretty toys which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.
Interesting take, Mr. Thoreau. Mind if I call you Henry? You can tweet that to your followers as soon as we boot things up here.
HDT: Followers, did you say? Afraid I don't know of any. What would they be for? I have a great deal of company in my house; especially in the morning, when nobody calls.
Twitter's just the thing, Henry. Tweet your latest insights to friends using PodPad. Post a watercolor of Walden Pond on your webpage. Or add a neighboring farmer to your Facebook account.
HDT: Tweeting sounds good to me. I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
(Peeping noise of PodPad.)
Good one, Henry. This little beauty is hungry for information. Ravenous for detail.
HDT: I must confess that I am a seeker neither of detail nor information. Our life is frittered away by it. On a winter's eve, when the cabin is quiet, I've often admonished myself. "Simplify," I say to no one but the wind. "Simplify."
Yes, yes. Simplicity. That's exactly why you'll appreciate PodPad. Just the tool you need. Now click on your search engine for starters and bring up GoogleEarth. (A humming, buzzing sound.) There you go: Concord, Mass., in high-def!
HDT: Did you describe this small gewgaw as a tool?
Well, of course it's a tool. The latest for staying in touch with friends and trends.
HDT: Men have become the tools of their tools so I am wont to try and eschew them.
Intriguing angle, Henry. But PodPad's customizing options ensure that it's more than just your typical handheld. PodPad thinks ahead, beeping reminders, anticipating family birthdays, predicting pressing budget needs even in your world way out in the sticks.
HDT: Will it hammer a nail? Or cut a beam for joining?
Nothing so pedestrian, my friend. As you'll discover, PodPad's best quality is that it distracts from that sort of drudgery. Tell me which online pastimes make you click, Henry. I'm betting "Angry Birds" is one. Maybe you're into role playing or fantasy gaming?
HDT: Time, for me, passes swiftly. Too much so for me to wish it forward.
In fact, we're running a bit short on it at the moment. Any questions about the device?
HDT: Let us say I ask it for meaning. What shall it reply?
Admire that questing nature of yours, Henry. The meaning of life... I'm sure there's an app for that. Look, let's go to Twitter so you can tweet what you think. Is PodPad the next-wave device for thought leaders of your stature? We hope so.
HDT: A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone. I must be going.
Wait, Henry. Please. Our session isn't finished yet. Ignore PodPad and you run the risk of dropping out of the loop.
(Sound of a wooden chair scraping.)
What about texting? I haven't shown you the baby-monitor function. Need to check out Hotwire. Foursquare. Wait until you shop for Mrs. Thoreau on Overstock! Don't forget TruuConfessions. Blogster.com ...
* * *
Note: The quotations in this essay are adapted from Henry David Thoreau's Walden (1854) and other writings.
* * *
Peter Mandel is an author of picture books for kids, including his read-aloud bestseller: Jackhammer Sam (Macmillan/Roaring Brook), and his newest about zoo animals passing on a very noisy sneeze: Zoo Ah-Choooo (Holiday House).
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.