Swiatek Press xxISBN: 0-9817843-2-1 xxx$14.95	xxx	If you think that technology is fine the way it is, you probably don't own a PC or phone. We have seen great advances in technology over the last century but unfortunately, the innovation has resulted in many problems. Highlighting the automobile, television, computer, the telephone and the bomb, Swiatek's new book discusses the pitfalls as well as offering solutions to clean up the mess that the people themselves have been responsible for. preview press release
Binghamton alumni profile		failures and frustrations
Oodgay Ookbay, June 15, 2009 - Thomas Fortenberry Swiatek delivers again. His essays are so personable and fun you can't help but love the guy. Reading his books are just like having a conversation with one of your best friends. This book is very comfortable. The topics are our everyday concerns and I promise you have had these same thoughts. You've had these exact technological issues before. You have lived these worries and felt these frustrations. It is as if Swiatek were rummaging around inside your head. Aha! Remember when you this happened? But what saves it from just being your own boring old thoughts is his fresh insights and witty charm. He has a way of making you smile about any topic, including the darkest, most embarrassing, and devastating. It is a true knack for looking at life on a black, windy, thundering day and finding the rainbow in the middle of the storm.		*The title says it all* Swiatek's brilliant book summarizes why we are all fed up with voice mail, email, restarts, upgrades and viruses that have showered down on us thanks to the failure of technology. As all in his books, his humor will keep you turning the page while his information technology experience goes a long way to document the problems, which have repercussions for the environment and the people on the planet. He does offer solu- tions since the advances of the last century have so many possibilities. Indeed, we have the ability and the brainpower to fix things and make life better for mankind. Louise Continelli, The Buffalo News

look what the cat dragged home		Some days are worse than others


Maybe computers are good for something.	x	Caller: Hi, our printer is not working. Customer Service: What is wrong with it? Caller: Mouse is jammed. Customer Service: Mouse? Printers don't have a mouse!!! Caller: Mmmmm??.. Oh really?... I will send a picture.

	x

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I think I've found an answer.

I could just as well have included this next comic on the section I have for This Page Intentionally Left Blank.

	xx	On January 11, 2008, I finished reading the 1978 book, *Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television* by Jerry Mander and have included words that the author wrote in the first chapter. "My fellow Americans, it is with extreme regret that I awaken you from your well-earned rest. Yet we are all met with a crisis so grave as to require it. An exhausive investigation by your law enforcement agencies has uncovered a massive conspiracy to destroy our democracy, a conspiracy which enjoys at least the tacit support of thousands of students, journalists, attorneys and even certain judges and elected officials. As your Commander-in-Chief, I have ordered the immedate arrest of the terrorists and individuals in their support groups, whatever their official rank or privilege. I have also invoked the implied powers of the President to govern in such times of grave crises, free of the usual encumbrances. I am hopeful and confident that these emergency measures, taken to safeguard our democracy, will be short-lived. Thank you, Godspeed and good night." The above never happened but was composed by Mander in a response to a Pentegon proposal to President Nixon that an electronic gadget be attached to every television set in the country. Mander offers some great insight into television and when I look back to what I wrote in *Press 1 for Pig Latin, I realize that I was much too kind when dealing with TV. I should have read his book before finishing mine. Nonetheless, I definitely was in tune to Jerry and we should make every effort to divorce ourselves from the TV as much as possible. I'll repeat some suggestions from my book: Turn off the set one night a week. Limit viewing to two hours per night, and better yet, use the VCR, thus saving time and avoiding those awful, mind-numbing commercials. Read a book - if you need some ideas, go back a page and click on "recommended reading."* Finally, if you think a day of boycatt is a good idea, email me with some ideas and we can pick a day and have millions of people turning off the bob tube for one whole day. " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

		Mark Bauerlein issues a call to all those who spend too much time on social web sites - not that there's anything wrong with that - but seem to be missing out on life. Technology is fine, but too much can be harmful. Becoming slaves to the internet and to one's PC - I hope I've convinced you that television has too many people hooked - makes zombies of us all. Spend some time at museums, art galleries, and visit the library and check out books - and read them - as well as videos. Attend concerts and by all means check out the parks and listen to the birds singing and see the trees blooming. Live life away from that monster that has snared too many people - technology. Bauerlein writes with our youth in mind, but each of us should listen to what he is saying, since it affects us all.

NOTE: The above comic could just as well have been included in the page I have for wake up - it's time for your sleeping pill since it's about laughter and lunacy.