Creative Technology -- General Technology

There's little doubt that technology can be a great thing.  While I read article after article extolling the evils of technology and how new and better and faster gadgets are bringing about the downfall of Western civilization as we know it, I know that I would not have the creative career I have right now were it not for technology. 

Oh, I've found myself disgruntled by technology's negative effects from time to time.  The frequency with which the computers at school don't function as they're supposed to is maddening.  The fact that kids are so used to instant gratification and instant stimulation from TV, computers, video games, and cell phones makes the job of holding their attention for long enough to actually teach them something a daunting task.  Then there are the strangers in the grocery who have come up to me talking, and only as I open my mouth to answer do I see the little Bluetooth "seashell" in their ear (so much like something out of Fahrenheit 451 it scares me).

Yet on the whole, technology is a force for good in many people's lives, and for the creative, this is no exception.  Today, we'll be looking at the general technology that any creative might use, regardless of what medium he or she works in.

• Computer -- This goes without saying.  Now, depending on what medium you work in, your choice of machine may differ.  When I'm writing, I much prefer the freedom afforded to me by a laptop or netbook, while for composing (where I'm processing audio and am hooked in to a music keyboard) I prefer a high-powered desktop.  If I'm editing audio especially (creating practice tracks for my wife's choirs or groups at church, tweaking audio files to put up on The Creative), again, the processing power afforded to a desktop is far superior.  
• Internet -- This is perhaps the greatest resource for any creative, regardless of what he's creating.  What other invention in modern history lets a creative -- a recluse by nature -- bond and interact with his fellow creators, share ideas in the global piazza, and stay current on what is being created in the world today.  In addition, whatever information a creative needs to continue on his way -- a definition, an encyclopedia article, instructions on how to achieve an artistic affect or correctly punctuate a sentence -- is found in abundance on the internet.
• Email -- This offshoot of the World Wide Web is perfect not just for letting consumers of our work contact us, but also for letting us keep them apprised of our current efforts.  When it comes to the publishing side of things, I submit my work almost exclusively via email -- in fact, I often submit a work to a publisher that does not allow electronic submissions only when I've exhausted every publisher that does.
• Digital voice recorder -- I know few people who write faster than they talk.  Even typing for most people is a slower process than simple speech.  What better way to record our sudden ideas and inspirations quickly and with a minimum of hassle than by just recording our voice?  Most digital voice recorders run on a couple of batteries, are simple to use, and (best of all, in my opinion) allow you to connect the recorder to your computer and download the audio files to store for later use or transcription.  
• Cell phone -- This may seem weird to put here, but I include it for two reasons.  I often (despite what I know I should do) find myself out without my voice recorder when inspiration strikes.  I could very easily write myself a note on scrap paper, but the odds of that paper getting to where I need it to be useful are slim to none.  So, I send a text message to my home email account; that way, every time I access my email, there's my idea, staring back at me.  I also like the fact that cell phones can be turned off.  With my cell phone now my only phone, if I want to work without being interrupted, all I need do is hit the power button and I'm saved from telephonic interruptions until I choose to allow them once more.

Now, all this technology may seem simple and obvious, but before you discount it, think if you're using it to its utmost to help your creative life.  If you're not, ask yourself how you could take these tools you use every day and move your creativity forward.  Just remember: technology is a tool, nothing more.  When technology starts ruling and controlling your life, it has become your master.  If you find yourself in that condition, start taking your life back.  Only then can you live to your creative fullest.

On Wednesday, we'll look at some specific technology to aid in music creation.  In the meantime, if you have any technologies I've failed to mention here, please comment below and share your ideas with all of us.