A couple of months ago, I was dining out in the West Village with some friends, including My Attorney. I use the term "My Attorney" the way Hunter S. Thompson referred to the crazed Samoan with whom he travelled to Vegas. My Attorney was an accomplice in probably 7 out of the craziest 10 nights of my college days.

Anyway, we were, for reasons unclear to me now, discussing the march of human endeavours. One suspects the cocktails and wine may have influenced the subject matter.

"We discovered the scientific method four hundred years ago," he began. "We're making iPods now! Do you realize how amazing that is?" Bangs the table for emphasis. His eyes widen, as they tend to do when he is trying to convey something he feels is of import. "I mean. . . Louis XV shat in a pot!"

I completely agree with this sentiment. The average westerner lives a life that would be envied by the most powerful man in 18th century Europe. And current technology allows me to efficiently carry my music collection to a faraway land, to bridge huge distances between family and friends, and to follow my favourite hockey team. Basically, without the internet and today's electronics, I would feel much farther away from the world I left behind.