<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) --> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-Q2MC6HHGTH"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-Q2MC6HHGTH'); </script><script id="Cookiebot" src="https://consent.cookiebot.com/uc.js" data-cbid="9a575506-32c3-4ed2-8123-3527a9a1f3a7" type="text/javascript" async></script> ![[My Review Philosophy.jpg]] ***Note: Image created by Gemini interpreted from article content. AI was not used to write this blog article.*** # Introduction I have been thinking a lot lately about my review process, and quite frankly just how I approach conversations online. As most of you know, I am not the flashiest content creator out there, nor am I the most controversial. After all, this is a hobby, and I don't really see it as a second job. I look at things through a very practical and pragmatic lens. This comes from my background and how my workflows have evolved over the years. In this short blog, I will talk a little about this process and why I think it is important to stay grounded in who we are as people and reviewers. # My Journey I have talked extensively about my use cases for different devices and technologies. One thing I have not talked about as much is my overall journey with technology. The reason I started my channel was not really to talk about e-ink devices. In fact, my first video was on the Rocketbook and e-ink just seemed to be what resonated most with folks. I have always been fascinated with technology, even as a kid growing up without much of it. ## Of Course it Started With Video Games While my friends were playing with their [ColecoVision](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ColecoVision) and [Atari 2600](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_2600), I was exploring my yard sale purchased [Magnavox Odyssey 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnavox_Odyssey_2). This is not meant to be a complaint, but it shows my interest and the fact that my parents did what they could to help me get my hands on interesting gadgets. I may not have had the latest and greatest, but I learned a lot about this emerging group of games (even the Magnavox was lightyears ahead of [handheld electronic games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handheld_electronic_game)), especially because I spent as much time trying to fix it as playing it. Jump ahead to 1985 and I was able to get an original [Nintendo NES](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System) system for Christmas, and it was new! I spent more than my fair share of time playing Duck Hunt and Mario Brothers (my only two games at the time). By this time I was working in the summers placing advertisements on doors for a local window company. With $50 per week, I was able to buy a new game about every two weeks (I had to save half of the money, that was the rule we still use with our kids today). So, why do I tell this part of the story? Well, at least to me, video game consoles served a very dedicated purpose. They were not used for multi-media (we didn't even have a concept of what that was yet) or do anything but play games. Yes, there were Easter Eggs in every game, but they were contained in that game and you had to learn how to operate the console. They were designed for a specific purpose and did that thing very well. ## Computers: A Complicated Story Some may consider my trusty old Magnavox a computer of sorts. It did have a rudimentary word processing type program and allows you to have a very bare bones way of engaging with text on a screen. However, I would not consider it a real computer. Even when I started college, I had never really touched a computer except to play Oregon Trail. As a senior, I took typing on an electronic typewriter. As a gift for being the first in my family to go to college, my parents bought me a[ Smith Corona Personal Word Processor Office System](https://www.ebay.com/itm/205233615337) (eBay listing for reference). You could say that I felt like I had won the lottery. I didn't have to fiddle with editing all of my papers or trying to white out text. This little thing was amazing. Of course, after entering college and discovering computer labs, I realized how behind the curve I was when it came to the world computing and printing. However, I have to admit that as an intentional technology, this device was great. You typed and printed right on the device with the monochrome screen allowing you to proofread and correct mistakes before you printed. It was a huge time saver. I did own my first computer until 1994, starting with Packard Bell. Of course, I have had a lot of computers since then and they have become increasingly complex. My current computer is by far the most advance I have ever owned and buries the 500MB (yes, that's megabytes) hard drive of my original PC. # What Does This Have to do With Reviews? I have so many things I could talk about when it comes to different technologies, from smart phones to peripherals. However, I chose these two because they are formative to my experience, especially around intentionality. Some of the best technologies I have ever owned are things that do one thing very well (e.g. word processing and games). I bring that with me into every review I do, or technology that I buy. What problem or need is the technology trying to solve and how well does it do that? If the device, system, or software is successful at doing that, I will praise it. If there is friction or challenges in the implementation, I will talk about that as well. Technology should remove barriers, not create them. Perhaps this is why I tend to stick to more recorded than live content (although I love the interaction of livestreams). I truly enjoy getting to know a device and trying to poke around it, or push it to do things that maybe were not the initial purpose. As someone who has been a technologist, this is perhaps my favorite thing. After all, all technologies have Easter Eggs (just like games). These features are often hard to discover in a live format. I also like to take my time and minimize mistakes or misstatements whenever I can. No one, especially me, is going to always get this right, but I pride myself on being as thorough as possible. Finally, I very much recognize that for most people, these purchases are very important and purchasing the wrong device, software package, or tool, can disrupt their workflow or the problem they are trying to solve. If I can help by providing an informed opinion, I am happy to do so, while also recognizing that I have a specific lens. It's one of the biggest reasons that I encourage everyone to consume as much content as they can when choosing any technology to fit their needs. I don't try to sell myself as an oracle of knowledge or someone with all the answers. If I did, I don't think many folks would trust me, nor should they. # Conclusions & Final Thoughts So, what does all of this mean? I didn't want to write a long post, although this one seems to have grown some legs. I do think it is important to consider our own lens and the context we come from. I am not one for flash or drama. I don't see myself as competing against other YouTube channels, and really don't ever see this as a true business. I already have a full-time job that I absolutely love and a family that I adore. Mine is a journey of exploration and trying to better understand technology, find ways to improve my own personal and work lives, and maybe get a little time back along the way. An added bonus is if I can help someone else in their own journey. Until next time, thank you for visiting my site and please feel free to read other [[Blog]] articles. If you are interested in more information on the the products and services I use to create my content, visit my [[Things I Use]] page. Also check out my various videos, podcasts, and social media links below. Just remember, keep moving forward. Additionally, if you are interested in knowing more about how I stay organized and want to incorporate my process into your own life, check out my [Introduction to Organization & Second Brain Systems](https://www.patreon.com/posts/introduction-to-147277486?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link) course. **| [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdofOksT0V35qf1-zqsIXUQ/) | [Buy me a book](https://buymeacoffee.com/edfinn) | [Patreon](https://patreon.com/OrganizingforChange?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink) | [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/edward.w.finn/) | [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/changeagent1820/) | [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@changeagent1820)| [Bluesky](https://bsky.app/profile/change1820.bsky.social) | [X](https://x.com/EdFinnIII) | [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/6Tvle14n3fjG8mn0DGfO1G?si=k4B3ocohTI2EuNoFWos1GA) | [iHeart Radio](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-change-chat-274015995/) | [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/change-chat/id1812220268) |**