James Gleick pulls out all the stops in an attempt to convince you that you’re being left in the dust by the rest of the world in his book Faster: The Acceleration of Just About Everything.

Ironically, “Faster” is about the slowest read I’ve encountered in a long time.  Even more ironic is that Gleick agrees, pointing out in the last few pages that due to all the examples of how microchips, cell phones, and television producers are catering to our desire to do more in less time, it’s a tough book to wrap your brain around.

To be frank, I was a bit disappointed.  The facts are interesting, yet seemingly unorganized and repetitive.  While I could identify with his Type-A personality observations, it was just a short segment of the book that really kept my attention.

We are moving at a record clip in our society, to be sure.  Ever annoyed that broadband speed just doesn’t seem to cut it anymore (even while data from a EvolutionShift.com suggests that  broadband is just now coming of age in lower income households, but still in the shadows in others), or that the two second delay between tracks on your CD is wasting your time, we are definately influenced by the clock.

Nothing makes you appreciate your home more than being away from it. Nothing makes you appreciate your culture more than being shocked by another. Nothing makes you appreciate the value of the dollar than when you trade X dollars for even fewer Euros, only to pay more for goods and services.

Our recent trip through Greece and Italy was a good experience.  While I’ve been overseas before (France and England), evidently I forgot how sheltered our American culture has made me.

Greece has beautiful country.  Notice I said they have beautiful country. The Southern Greek isles are absolutely wonderful, with stellar views in 360 degrees.  Black and red beaches adorn the coast line, as a remnant to volcanic activity.