The room is pristine white tile, the kind that reflects every pollutant and makes a speck of dust obvious from metres away. There is no dust, no clutter, no furniture. This is a sealed environment used only for this task. In the centre of one white tile sits a clean, white pod with and LCD readout inverted and reflected by the sheen of the floor.

The pod communicates via a wireless signal with the device, providing information for its user. The device's current mode is displayed in the upper left of the display, the time left for the task to its right. There are several warning symbols that it may display, but for now, all is well.

Calmly, following the precise time scale, the user guides the device through Quadrant L/R, he is thorough and careful. The device physically nudges him and he moves on to Quadrant U/R. He continues methodically through all four quadrants, and then the device nudges him again to let him know the task is accomplished.

He spits.

The pod displays a little smile to let him know that he has brushed for the full two minutes recommended by dentists.

Interestingly, apart from the environs, this is a purely factual account of my oral hygiene routine. My new brush was a gift from the wonderful Meggle and it is, frankly, fascinating. It works rather brilliantly, and such, but a part of me looks at it and thinks "You are a device for scrubbing, you do not need to be this complex."

This fascination has led me to invent the word Technoferiority. This is a noun, relating to the uncomfortable feeling that a technological device is smarter than you are. It applies less in the case of things like computers and (slightly more so) calculators, as these are things that you buy specifically to be smarter than you, for you. More than that it relates to issues like the above. My toothbrush can send a wireless signal and accumulate charge without being plugged into anything (which is witchcraft) and it seems I have been out-advanced by something that I routinely stick in my mouth.

Another example of Technoferiority may be experienced by the users of this intimidatingly sophisticated pee-stick: [link]

I feel this word is going to be useful to me moving along into a future where I can only wonder what gadget will outsmart me next.

*** *** ***

Also in the news:

I recently turned 21, which has thrown my as-yet rather absent literary achievements into incredibly stark relief. This makes me feel rather determined.

I recently lost all of my computer files for the last several years due to catastrophic computer death. I now need to build a new collection. The quest has already begun.

And I was recently introduced to the brilliant weekly webcomic FreakAngels, buy Warren Ellis [link] and it has been the most intriguing beginning to a story I have read in quite some time. It's also reminded me of a project I was planning a while back. I feel inspired.

I wonder if, for once, I can convert the fuel of inspiration and determination into some form of output.