Sometimes, old machines are survivors. Beware of confirmation bias when trash/thrift-picking cheap systems though. IMO, Thinkpads can be tough as a coffin nail. Including work systems, I’m on number 8 at this point with no hardware failures in sight.

That said, I have a very lightweight Acer that’s about a decade old with the worst keyboard and trackpad ever manufactured. It also performs like a slug, even with Linux on it. Still, it refuses to break so I can get rid of it.

In my greater friend-group, we call them “shamans”, and rotate responsibilities when people go on trips. Like a designated driver or lifeguard, it’s a position of elevated and celebrated importance, even though the traveler may not ever leave their couch.

and most importantly be human

Now that I think about it, it’s key to be the most human possible. People do irritating and annoying stuff when they toss sobriety out the window, and sometimes it takes a lot of compassion and empathy to manage.

This essay is brought to you by Raid: Shadow Legends.