A Clock for the Selfish Bastard

In this modern age, we hear the word “merger” bandied about, as companies eat each other like microbes on a daily basis. But it’s not just a Wall Street thing. Technology is also coming together. Today’s smart phones are routinely out-punching our desktop and laptop computers. Some people not only yearn for simpler times, they almost demand them, wanting their cell phone to do nothing more than – brace yourself – make phone calls.

Do We Have Time for the Bells and Whistles?

This is actually an industrial evolution that other sectors of our culture have already undergone. Take the wristwatch as an example. There were watches with calculators on them. Others included calendars, timers and alarms. Some of them were waterproof (to however many meters), or shockproof, or could withstand being trod upon by an elephant. Really, though, most of just want one thing out of our watches and clocks. We just want to know what time it is.

Supply in Sync with Demand

Beyond that, though, we may want our clocks to reflect our personalities to a certain degree. Culturally speaking, it is interesting that more and more people have gone back to clocks with faces and hands, having grown tired of the stark display letters on digital clocks (devoid, as they were, of design elements). The talents of today’s artists are not lost on clockmakers, who wish to meet the customized desires of the public.

Another societal bump has been the advent of the “man cave”, a space in which a fellow can make believe that he doesn’t have any obligations to work or family. Having the right clock in the man cave goes a long way toward establishing the necessary ambience, whether the heart’s desire is a centerfold or a Harley Davidson clocks (or both). There is a need – read: A market – for clocks among selfish bastards. And there is no shortage of sellers waiting to do business with them.