The Adnostic

Zeus Jones/Adrian Ho wrote a post about objects that increase the consumption of other goods. Such as iPods increase the consumption of music and podcasts (heck, the iPod practically created the market for podcasts). The iPod also changed how we consume music. Suddenly you couldn't clearly classify people Emo or R&B because the distribution became more ubiquitous and effective that the local radio station whose playlists were dictated by corporate entities who like like their demographics in clear precise targets. (But I still think you can tell an Emo by sight which is why it sucks to be a quasi-Goth in Mexico.)

Then there is the iPhone (I don't think its a coincidence that both are created by Apple which is known for making intuitive technology) and its soon to be released competitors. It has been well documented that people surf the mobile web a lot more after purchase than before. The most likely reason is that the mobile web was pain in the butt to use before the iPhone gave us a nearly full browser and unlimited data to boot. It was as though there was pent up demand for internet-on-the-go and the iPhone just allowed for the floodgates to open.

A friend of mine wants to replace her phone, was thinking about getting an iPhone, and asked me about mine. I spouted its virtues and told her to absolutely get one, but she countered with the observation of why should she pay extra for a device built mostly for its web features when she doesn't use the mobile web that much now and doubt she would even with an iPhone.

"Oh," I said. "You have NO IDEA."

Because she really didn't. You don't know how much you can possibly enjoy the convenience of web access at all times until you actually have it and especially when you have it in a device as slick as Apple's little Brick of Wonders. I didn't. I told Dave that I didn't need an iPhone for Christmakah, that I could wait until the second version came out because all of Apples first versions are usually riddled with problems, but he knew better. He knew better because he had one, and you can't really know until you have one.

Now with the release of the new iPhone with GPS, third party applications, and 3G we can start getting used to having geolocative services anytime and anywhere. Suddenly everyone is a local and knows the neighborhood they're in (whether they live there or not) like the back of their hand.

On a green note, what about objects that reduce consumption?

For me, my beloved baggu bag is a perfect example. Because it folds flat so I can fit it into my purse so that I can carry it with me at all times, I am now consuming a lot less paper and plastic bags.

If we were waiting for iPods to help us increase the consumption of music, and iPhones to make the mobile web more accessible, and baggu bags to decrease our need for plastic bags, then what other devices are we waiting for to change our consumption habits? Mass produced electric cars? CFLs that are cheap and don't cause migraines? Biofuels that make effective use of our trash?