Revenge of the Nerds

My great or not so great adventure with the computer at home got me thinking about what people will spend their money on. The geek that is scheduled to come to my house will be charging $89 for the first hour, and then I will be billed in 15 minute increments.

A mechanic bills $65 an hour. His shop has to be equipped with tools, he must deal with chemicals, both caustic and flammable, he must be insured, he has non reusable stuff like rags, or lubricant, or belt clips, he must have diagnostic equipment, the list goes on. I must have transportation in order to perform my job, and maintain my lifestyle. $65 and hour

A doctor goes to school for eternity. He must have more insurance than the local bank. He has to have a staff. He needs an office, with phones and computers, and lights, and heat, and subscriptions to Women’s Day magazine. He is exposed to all sorts of infectious diseases, and he sees people at their worst. He also is likely to add years to your life, or at least make the years you have go better. $125 per visit, of which I might pay $25 out of pocket.

A plumber is on call 24/7. He will dig up my front yard in the dead of winter if a pipe breaks. He will wade hip deep in raw sewage if he has to. He has a van with an inventory of tools. He needs insurance, workers comp, and must carry a master plumber’s license to work in the city. $50 per hour if it’s during the day.

An electrician is also on call 24/7. He will make sure that the lights light, that the furnace heats, that the garage door goes up and down. He has an inventory of tools; he has served a 5 year apprenticeship. He will climb utility poles in thunderstorms to make sure that the TV will come on in time for Oprah. He will crawl around in attics, and shimmy through crawl spaces to insure that the dishwasher will wash, and the oven will cook. And he deals with something that is invisible, odorless, colorless, but a mistake handling it can maim or kill. $50.

A carpenter must have the most broad knowledge of the skilled trades. He can hang doors, or put shingles on the roof, pour concrete or install crown mould. He makes sure that your basement doesn’t leak, and the roof doesn’t fall in. The walls should be perfectly flat, and the joints in the kitchen cabinets should be tight and stay that way. He keeps you warm, and dry, and makes your house or business or back deck something that is both useful and aesthetically pleasing. A carpenter never finishes learning because the area is so vast. He needs the widest variety of tools, and has the most expendable materials. $40 per hour.

Computer Geek. Drives a Volkswagen. Carries a briefcase that might have a pliers and screwdriver in it. Does not necessarily have a degree. Does not serve an apprenticeship. Spends most of his time watching the computer re load software. $89.00 per hour.

What strikes me as odd is that most people will complain, bargain, or chisel money out of the tradesmen. Most people will avoid seeing a doctor at all costs. People will drive a car until it simply can’t go anymore. All of the people perform essential services. Except the geek. I am calling the geek to my house, making sure that he has all of the software that he needs, giving him a comfortable chair to sit in. Making sure that the dog, the cat, the kids and the wife do not distract him. All so that I can chat and do E mail from the comfort of my den. Is this crazy?

Do we all need to revaluate what are priorities are?

I would bet good money that there is not a single person reading this that would disagree with what I said, and what I am going to do tomorrow.

God help us all. Now, help me find my check book

Peace