The Most Important Machine of the Year
It’s not artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, or anything coming out of CES

“Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future...For they dash from one pleasure to another and cannot stay steady in one desire.” — Seneca, 49 B.C.
I popped into a local jewelry shop earlier this week.
As with most strip mall jewelry stores, this one had the familiar arrangement: glass display cases that formed a giant 'U' beginning on the left, stretching to the back and across, and back up the right side of this mostly empty rectangular mineral deli.
There was no need to take a number, as the proprietor was helping the only other customer in the place, a middle-aged woman who seemed as uncertain about her options as the owner did about continuing to help her.
He called me over and asked what he could do for me.
“I need my watch battery changed,” I told him.
Normally I change my own batteries, but the thin watch I prefer has a back panel that take…
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