We are either about to undertake, or have just engaged in, massive swappage of gadgets. And that's good. We are stimulating the economy; we are providing an indicator to industry of emerging trends; we are telling those in our circle that we love them a digital camera's worth, or maybe even a video game console's worth. We have stuffed stockings with flash drives; we have placed Wiis under the tree; we have thickened envelopes with big-box gift cards.
Which means that most of us are in for a lot of migraines, frustration and killing-spree fantasies over the next couple of months.
It is often said that America has transitioned from an economy based on production to one based on service. The very idea should terrify you, because, the occasional, exceptional man or woman aside, Americans absolutely suck at customer service. Generally speaking, we are a nation of poorly educated sociopaths who take jobs we hate hawking shit about which we know next to nothing, and can't be bothered to learn. And the concept of following up the sale of said shit with knowledgeable, courteous support is, to us, ludicrous; that's what the Indian subcontinent is for, derf.
