Day 10: Mouse
Hey Challengers!
It's day 10 already, this is going smoothly. For this day, I'd like to share photographs of my mouse and some of my thoughts about it. This may be one of the difficult ones to talk about since it's just... a mouse, right? It has one purpose; move your cursor on your screen from left to right, up and down. Well, it might give other value as well. Stuff you don't think about, let's find out!
Work-life
For my work, I have to use the computer quite a lot. Also, blogging and sharing content on Hive is a big part of my life. I never spend much thought on the aesthetics of my mouse (and keyboard), but since I'm behind a computer screen I might as well just have a set-up that I enjoy working on.
For me, it is rocking the nerd life. Google Excel sheets, Obsidian, WordPress, Camera RAW, and playing games for maximum efficiency like Anno 1800, Factorio, or Cell of Singularity. I spent a lot of time behind my desk. And not just nerd games, sometimes I play MMORPGs, and so on and so on.
The reason why I wanted a mouse and keyboard like this, is for a few reasons. I rarely buy myself something "nice", I practically rarely buy anything at all. The mouse was a gift, from @lackofcolor. And the keyboard was a gift from me for securing a simple trade.
Why spend "so much" money on a keyboard and a mouse? Well, the reason why I partially explained above. But, the real value lies not perse in the product itself, it's the stuff that happens around us (by using that product). For example, whenever I start my computer, I'm greeted by cool lights. Lights inside a keyboard? Lights inside a mouse? Yes, to me, it resembles craftsmanship in modern times. In other words; it triggers the word "innovative" in me. Perhaps, even the word cyberpunk would apply here. Whenever I think, and stare around, I never fail to take a glimpse at these illuminations and get reminded of innovation.
So yes, maybe an illuminating mouse and keyboard are useless to some. But to me, it is part of getting motivated. Being productive, innovative, creative, and so on. Any boost to that is valuable. Like the Philips HUE lights that I have. I can set a mood. Whether it be cozy, psychedelic, or mimicking a warm Sunset. It's pretty nice.
Durable?
This might be an object that isn't as durable as a regular mouse. But, since it is a "nice" product, we might be incentivized to clean it more often than a regular mouse. I bet no one cleans their mouse until it is getting quite dusty. Maybe even some of you just throw it away and replace it.
Who knows eh?
The creative process
I'm pretty surprised how -dirty- a mouse can still be, after cleaning it. Just as with the headphones, it can leave some dusty and greasy marks. I cleaned my mouse twice while setting up the lights. While cleaning, it occurred to me, that this may be just a great photograph. I wanted to create a red/orange haze with green lights coming out of the mouse. In post-edit, I discovered how dirty the mouse was, after cleaning the thing twice. Argh, I just recreated two buttons that were covered in dust. I can't even see it myself anymore, but I know where they are.
Technical details
Camera
Sony A7 MARK II
Lens
Sigma 105mm f/2.8
Shutterspeed
2"
Aperture
f/9.0
ISO
50
About the challenge
Photograph and write a little bit about 30 ordinary items that I used a lot in 2022. You can read more about the challenge, and join yourself here. This challenge is just a little experiment.
What does value mean to you?
If we think about the word "value", it is safe to say that it usually is linked to money. One of the questions that I enjoy asking my clients is; what do you deliver if your product/service was offered for free? As in, why do I need you? Most of the start-up clients never thought about that, they didn't last long, but those who had a clear answer are thriving. What does value mean? And how does one seek out value? For example, on Hive, I can get 1 HBD every day, for locking up 1825 HBD. If I manage to do this 10 times, I would be able to have 2-3 days per month free to spend, or I could pay for groceries. Do you see? The value shifted from money to free time.
To address today's object; the value I'm getting out of my mouse isn't just for using a good working product. It has a part in giving me pleasure, motivation, happiness, and probably more. 100 bucks for years of free inspiration? That's value. Personal, but still, valuable to me.
Cheers,
Ruben
A friend used to work at Microsoft and he gifted me a top end wireless mouse, it was so the best I'd ever used in terms of ergonomically and aesthetically designed a smoothness. Sadly I'm so clumbsy and dropped it a few times and it didn't last very long. Then I got another wireless mouse, next so expensive but still the same and it suffered the same fate. Now I'm back to the standard basic cord mouse ☹️
It's unfortunate that stuff like that happens, but this leaves me to wonder: how do you drop a mouse? TWICE! And let me guess... the standard basic one didn't get dropped? Personally, I tried a wireless mouse twice, but I never liked it because I had to either recharge it, or renew the batteries in it. The trouble! :P
SteelSeries products are solid, so it's actually not "expensive" or money "wasted", especially if you get them on sale or for a good bargain. But sadly, a lot of people don't understand that.
Also for some it's more of a hobby. There are such revolutionary upgrades and tech devices these days, which I find quite interesting. And even if I don't buy them, I still end up putting in the time to learn more about the latest technology.
Aesthetics are important! And they also show that you care (lol) for your environment. Learning more about the latest technology keeps you ahead of the game, I bet that's how we all ended up being on Hive eh! I'm looking forward in seeing how Hive will grow in the next 10 years.
Exactly, that is why I ended up doubling my budget, and then went for the Razer Hunstman TE, absolutely love this thing.
Oh hell yeah, I can't even imagine where the chain will be in terms of growth and development. WEB3 will surely takeover by then, and hidden gems like Hive will finally get the recognition it deserves.
I like the point you made about value. It’s true, the things products afford us are so much more than what they claim. I oughta review what I believe my value is. Even if you saw my work- photos, writings- for free, I’d hope that I’d show you a different view. Thought provocation, curious imagery, something. I think that’s what I forget in the days I worry about what to post. Thanks to you and this challenge, I’ve got some more to consider when sharing. Very mice, Ruben, mice.
You know the best way to address an elephant in the room is by showing it a mouse, right? I think some of the value that we can get out of something is so personal, and that the price tag on it is sometimes clouding our judgment. Apple products for example. Lulz.
I have my mouse for 3 years now, the one before lasted like 5... I spent a lot of time behind a desk cause am editor and content creator, also here in Cuba buy new pc or mouse and keyboard is way expensive, so we take care of our stuff.
About value, I thinks like you, not from money or money, but the feelings I can experience.
Damn! 3 and 5 years is a long time to have a mouse. Before my Steelseries mouse, I think I had the same mouse and keyboard that I bought 10 years ago. LOL I think @Blind-spot can tell by the way how my keyboard plug looked like. It was certainly no USB plugin :P
Almost everything can have its useful life extended, it is a form of recycling 😂
I just find your 30 days challenge and i can tell you are rocking it!!
Your take soo great photography from those things are simple in the daily life
Thanks man, appreciate that a lot! It's quite a challenge to be honest. Some things are just so difficult to write about, or to photograph.
Yeah that is true! but at the end of this challenge you will have obtain a lot of new experience and skillz
Hello, guilty that I am entangled in this skein of the Challenge.... 😄😁
I like that approach about value that you include in your post and as always the picture, perfect.
I like trading and I always talk about value when I deal with this topic in a forum. You buy a currency, you buy value. That's why you have to research what you buy and why. Besides understanding that the market moves in cycles, today Hive is worth 0.36 USD but a year from now it could reach 7. Do you think it is possible?
The issue of value also goes through a very personal appreciation. For you, the mouse provides you with a scenario where innovation and creativity are activated, as well as carrying out its basic functions of taking you from one point to another on the screen and performing actions with a click.
Perfect. I love this process that shows itself imperceptibly with each passing day of the Challenge.