So I'm reading a post on ReadWriteWeb today about Opera Unite. I like this idea of having my stuff more under my control. I am a fan of hybrid solutions in most cases - those who have heard me talk about metadata/taxonomy/ontology work know that I promote using the machine's for what they do best (consistent, fast, cheap) and the humans for what they do best (creative, careful, expensive). As it would happen, I also watched Rory Sutherland's TED talk from this summer. In it he points out that if we all had a big red button on our wall that put $50 in our pocket (savings) every time we pushed it, then we'd all save more money. It would be easier. I want one! Why can't I have one on my desktop? One that I can click without having to go into my browser, logging into my bank, transferring funds...

Now, I know that I could set up an automatic transfer. But my bank's system is not yet sophisticated enough for me to set up my own rules for WHEN to trigger a savings event. So, I have to use my brain. And I have to go to my browser, and log in... I can either wait for my bank to provide me with usable tools that allow my finer control on my automated transactions, or I can program my own button.

I don't program. Never learned. Automator is still baffling. Greasemonkey, not much better.

Damnit. I have to learn something. Or my bank has to learn something...

So, I either have to put the effort in, or I have to make enough money to be able to influence my bank's decisions. Which means I need to work hard.

And that's the thing I see so many people forgetting. You have to do the work to get to that "greener" pasture on the other side. Is it greener? Is it worth the effort? You have to decide. Sometimes the answer is yes. But either way, you have to earn or be given the privilege and tools to be lazy.

I think I'll keep working on earning it.