I’ve occasionally entertained the notion of outsourcing certain modern affairs for which I lack not necessarily the capacity, but the remotest desire. Some of it lends almost to the fiction genre, the sort that real-world constraints wouldn’t be so kind to embrace.
Provided even the financial means to splurge on such labor, and suspending for a brief moment my ever prevalent inclination towards complexity elimination, or better yet, let’s call it simplified accounting; provided all that (as it would otherwise render the point nearly moot), I’m not certain even then, all ingredients in perfect textural alignment, whether I would pull the trigger and execute.
And what might this fantasy tale involve?
Social media presence.
I’ve deliberately complicated my social life in the avoidance of nearly all avenues of social media, even the such that might entail but the minimal of attendance.
I’ve done that in favor of cognitive yield; to declutter an otherwise scattered mind; to minimize noise; to reestablish concentrated focus on the deeper and more demanding sources of attention, such as reading ancient literature or even uninterrupted, serial listening to a 40-minute Jazz album.
And I find exceptionally gratifying this capacity for a non-anxious mind to focus attention on the traditionally simple pleasures.
Naturally, in the emphasis of the mental, I’ve severely neglected, or shall we say, challenged networking and communication. I would completely outsource this aspect, collateral effects not considered.
I would have someone manage my entire social media presence down to every dot. This someone would understand the expanse of my mission and relevant affairs, and adequately capture this information in the shape of my online identity.
The assistant would require a severe degree of autonomy, as I don’t want to be involved in but the critical decisions or online interactions. I otherwise prefer to remain nearly incognisant of most related activity.
The assistant would need to be invested in the likeness of a business venture. Anything less would fall short in impact. And since it would be clear that online interactions take place not with me directly, the arrangement almost presupposes a sort of a business entity.
Mobile communication.
I don’t expect (or even desire) the assistant to always accompany me. What a horrendous prospect!
I view this as keeping a direct line of communication with the assistant by means of a super simple mobile phone, the sort as compact as a credit card.
The assistant, in turn, functions as a proxy, holding a respective line of communication with any other relevant channel. Again, this presupposes a notoriously autonomous mode of operation.
For urgent inbound communication, the assistant would contact me on the private line to notify of such and such an inquiry. I would similarly engage the assistant for any outbound mobile request, whether it’s to conduct quick research or inform a relevant party.
…
So far this abstracted communication method probably sounds entirely conceited. Who am I to desire a secretarial intervention for most communicative labor? Who am I to outsource small talk to a third party, making myself personally available for but the critical interchange, and possibly even then through a proxy?
Or maybe not. Many a high-stake decision businessman maintains a presence of a strikingly similar nature, with a private line known to but a few parties, and otherwise involved in hardly any mobile activity.
But I’m not sure if such a mode of operation would engage me or alienate me even further. And I struggle to foresee the extent of possible secondary effects.
Photography
Mostly I hold an indifferent stance on the photographic capturing of moments in time. I prefer the uninterrupted, mindful attention to the surroundings.
One could argue that an intermittent deviation to operate a photo camera need hardly sacrifice the otherwise attentive demeanor. Here I’ll dispute.
I repeatedly notice that following the taking of a brief photograph the state of my mind notably deviates from the prior. No longer as focused or as present. Here again, the context switch impact (from even an otherwise 10-20 second mechanical procedure) is nonlinear.
In addition, I plainly do not derive joy in operating a camera.
In situations that I anticipate potential photographic motive, I would travel with a photographically gifted assistant. At a brief remark (or even a non-verbal queue) to capture a specific passage in the style deemed proper to the trained eye, I can immediately return to the present train of thought, no technological context switch having taken place.
Transport
To a certain extent I expect to maintain the ways of the vagabond and an explorer at any stage of my journey. I have no intent to fortify myself within an established neighborhood in service of a private car and chauffeur.
However, I don’t take fancy in many of the logistical aspects of travel. And I limit myself to public transport, effectively excluding much terrain reachable strictly by means of private motorized options.
One aspect of this service might involve taking charge of any related transport research, including the viable routes, connections, negotiations, and ticket purchases.
The other involves the assistant to manage the acquiring/renting/operating of the respectable vehicle to whatever exotic destination that strikes fancy.
And perhaps some omnipotent mobile application emulates these services in one interface. But I don’t wish to interact with it or wield the device. Let that be a matter for the assistant.
The more I reflect, the more this carries a semblance to the master/servant relationship inherent to the ages of nobility. The resourceful servant, in ways well characterized and romanticised by the adventure novels, would be as able as the master in all manner of labor, from street intelligence to rigorous analytics.
Shopping
I have not much patience for the merchandise showcasing and the laborious act of product acquisition. Let an assistant handle related matters.
From food products, to clothes, to equipment, brick and mortar or online, I’d rather not deal with it. Plus, my needs are few and exceptionally simple to communicate.
Now the pleasure of rummaging a book store I would outsource to no party.
Questions, comments? Connect.