Chapter 1: The Early Days of Computing

Growing up, I had the privilege of building computers alongside my father. One of the initial systems we assembled featured the Intel 80286 processor. I vividly remember using WordPerfect in DOS, before transitioning to Windows 3.11, and eventually experiencing Windows 95, 98, NT, and beyond. Those early computing days felt exhilarating and liberating. We often acquired pirated versions of Sierra Interactive games on floppy disks, and there was always a lot of tinkering with graphics cards to get everything running smoothly. The constant ebb and flow of failures and successes while attempting to load games or applications was a wild ride. Nothing compared to the thrill of seeing a beloved new game launch successfully.

Once everything was up and running, the experience of gaming and using applications felt magical. However, as Windows 9x became widespread, users had to come to terms with the notorious Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), which could appear multiple times a day.

Chapter 2: A Shift to Design

After completing my college education, my passion for design and visual arts led me to embrace the world of Apple, which I had previously regarded with skepticism as a dedicated PC user. My first experience with an Apple product was the aluminum MacBook Pro, a stunning blend of hardware and software. I fondly recall using SubEthaEdit to create my initial HTML websites, designed with pirated versions of Adobe Creative Suite.

This marked the beginning of a new era of computing for me, one that felt even more captivating than the DIY computers of my youth. I traded in my graphics card and SCSI port hacking for the art of crafting graphics, text, HTML, and CSS, all uploaded to Dreamhost via Cyberduck FTP and Transmit. A new form of magic unfolded before me. Instead of wrestling with hardware and software issues, the Mac provided a stable platform with a robust array of tools for software development.

Additionally, my focus shifted from using computers primarily for gaming to embracing them as a medium for creation.

The first video titled "THE FEARLESS FLYERS /// Colonel Panic" showcases a creative homage to the computing experiences many of us have shared, blending nostalgia with humor.

Chapter 3: The Kernel Panic

Returning to the subject of the previous image, where clever designers took a jab at the infamous BSoD, I can't help but feel there's a darker undertone present. Perhaps it’s the absence of a similar joke directed at UNIX’s version of this error—the dreaded kernel panic:

This oversight highlights a universal truth in computing: things often go awry—sometimes spectacularly so. This reality holds true across all platforms, whether it be Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, or Android. For a significant period, I was so enchanted by my experiences with Apple that I overlooked this fundamental aspect of technology.

As an enthusiastic Apple user, my journey paralleled my growth as a designer. However, as time passed, my frustrations with Apple’s expanding ecosystem began to mirror my evolving perspective. While I still appreciate the capabilities of computers, I now find myself in a more critical phase of understanding.

I continue to revel in technology, design, and creativity, but I have become increasingly skeptical about our reliance on these tools and the implications for humanity's future. As James Bridle points out, computational thinking often aligns with solutionism—the belief that every issue can be resolved through computation. This mindset leads to the assumption that no matter the problem, there’s an app for that.

Numerous science fiction narratives explore the potentially dystopian outcomes of human and computer interactions, often culminating in a catastrophic reckoning. Yet, despite these concerns, I maintain a sense of optimism about technology. I identify as a futurist, albeit with reservations.

Kevin Kelly has characterized technology as "tools," echoing McLuhan’s concept of "extensions of man." Technology is an integral part of human history and will not disappear. It is crucial to shift our discussions from a simplistic view of technology as harmful to a more nuanced understanding of how we can mold our tools, and how they, in turn, shape us.

The second video titled "Colonel Panic" further explores the themes of nostalgia and the complexities of our relationship with technology, reminding us of the joy and frustrations that come with it.