+ The Good Times

I called up my cousin the other day, and we started talking about music. He told me, "Hey, I’ve got a few more mp3 CDs of old live recordings." Then he excitedly listed some of the artistes, before going into realistic mode. "We keep recording all these concerts, but will we ever manage to listen to them? As it is, there is no time for it, and I can’t see things getting any better. I don’t think I’m going to be able to listen to all this stuff in my lifetime; and neither are you. The one comforting thought is that if anyone wants to listen to it all later, it is available."

This was probably the fourth time we had this conversation. And every time it’s the same. And, in spite of everything, every time there are new mp3 concert acquisitions to talk about.

The other day, I was chatting with another cousin, a movie buff, and we started discussing DVDs. I told him about an offer on a website where they were offering blank DVDs for the equivalent of less than 20 rupees. He was skeptical, but checked immediately and came across an even better online deal. The next step was to place an order and have his friend in the US bring it over on his trip here. Meanwhile, I was going to meet him, and he gave me a list of VCDs to take along so that he could write them.

It wasn’t long before realism raised its head. "We keep copying these movies thinking we will see them later, but I can see the list only growing," he messaged me. Yes, of course. In fact, now CDs are so cheap that we would be tempted to write anything above reasonable suspicion and place it in the shelf. Earlier, it was books, then mp3s, now it’s movies. Availability is up and costs are so far down, there is really no need to discriminate. We told each other: in fact, given a choice between watching an excellent movie and writing five good ones, there wouldn’t be too much hesitation in choosing writing the five. The to-be-watched collection at home can only keep growing.

As my uncle put it, books, music and movies are all means of entertainment, keeping oneself occupied. The only change that seems to be happening is that instead of reading, hearing or watching seems to be overtaken by acquiring. The enjoyment or thrill seems to come a step earlier – from the process of acquisition. I guess that’s the price of easy access.

But what’s the problem with that, if the goal is to have a good time?