Scientific American's Sci/Tech Gifts for 2003

Rick DeBay writes "Scientific American has come out with their Sci/Tech gift list for 2003. I think they did a good job, even the selections in the under $25 category are quite tasteful and dignified. And what Sophisticated Lady wouldn't be overjoyed at unwrapping a genuine Swarovski crystal accessory? My personal favorites fall in to those well-worn categories, 'Imprisoning Small Creatures for Amusement' and 'Getting Someone Else to Clean-Up.' The frog and shrimp farms fufill the first, and the domestically-challengeds' favorite Roomba the latter. Seriously, there is a mix of interesting gadgets, products that should never have been made, refugees from Sharper Image, and humorous geek stocking stuffers. It is unlikely that you could go wrong."

Comments

Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm pretty much a gadget geek. Here are some of the things that I want for Christmas:

1) Job, so that I can buy these things for myself. Being laid off sucks.
2) Something for my daughter, besides the bare necessities.
3) Something for my wife. She works hard because I'm laid off.
4) December's mortgage payment.
5) November's property tax payment.
6) One night of uninterrupted sleep.
7) A two-month contract, just enough to get through December
8) A month contract, just enough to get through November.
9) A week contract, just enough to pay my phone and electric bill.
10) All the above for my friend, who's worse off than I am.

I stopped dreaming about dual Opterons about six months ago.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

Four job interviews this week. One as a PC technician at a job 40 miles away in Miami traffic. Sent out twenty resumes yesterday, 15 of them to headhunters who don't even call back. Six months ago I was looking for a C/Java programmer position. 3 months ago broadened to network administration. I have 10 years experience with everything from Sun E10Ks to embedded MIPS machines. Help desk jobs? Sure, $12/hr down here with a mandatory 50hr workweek, no overtime and only in Miami. Good money, right? It will cost be $20 a day just to drive there for gas, tolls, and parking. Workweek would be a minimum 64 hours after traffic is factored in. Once I pay $200/week for the baby sitter it's then not worth it. Take mass transit? This is Florida, there is no usable mass transit from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami because it takes a minimum 3 hours to get there with the screwed up scheduling. If I miss the 8:00PM bus, another hour before the next one shows up. So you can sit there smug and happy, condemning me for reading Slashdot. I don't care, really. You can be condescending and unconscionable, I'm just an anonymous coward not anywhere near you and this won't change your life. I don't care. Go back to your Slashdot, to your home in suburbia or wherever, sip your coffee. Just know that the wheel turns. The antic sits, grinning at your pomp. Rota tu volubilis. The wheel turns.

Come on, it's not even December yet...

[ThePurpleBuffalo]

I was in the mall last weekend. So was Santa. Yes, it seems that the christmas shopping season starts earlier every year. No, I no longer call it the "Christmas Season", it's now the "christmas shopping season".

Now, I see christmas gift ideas... "stocking stuffers" on Slashdot.

Yes, this is off topic.

This year, I'm doing my best not to buy anything for the chirstmas shopping season. I don't need an excuse to purchase something for my significant other. I'm not about to spend $20 on little pieces of plastic that will be tired of within a few hours for my niece.

For the past couple years, when people have asked what I wanted for Christmas/birthdays/other occasions, I have said "nothing". I have everything I *need*. I'm well educated, I have a job, and I'm in the process of getting back into physical shape. I also like to think that I have a good life and I'm happy. Do I need the latest games, toys, and distractions? No. If I needed it, I'd buy it myself.

This frustrates a fair number of people. "What do you mean you don't want anything?!? I need to get you something!" No, you don't. Save your money. One day you may need it to visit a dying loved-one. One day, you may not have a job anymore.

A friend and I have an understanding. I never buy anthing for him, he never buys anything for me. It's the only way that we don't feel like we stiffed each other. It's been working quite well for 6 years now.

Anyway, I don't really have a point. Just a collection of ideas I wanted to share. How do you people feel about the chirtmas shopping season?

Beware TPB

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[FortKnox]

The best 'present' is just to have others around. Not buying gifts and stuff, but spending the whole day with the family and having fun.

So instead of saying 'nothing', simply say 'just stop by on Christmas for a boardgame or some food'. That'll keep'm all happy :-)