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Moving Clutter to the Cloud
Less creepy than Swedish death cleaning and just as effective as that Life-Changing book on the same topic EXCEPT that you don’t need to get rid of all your stuff (just get it out of your house!), and you don’t need to thank your old knickers for their service!
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Film and television views of the future are always clean, sleek and uncluttered. I used to think it was the technology. That at some point in the future, we’d have the technology to meet our daily needs without the need to climb over all of our daily stuff.
Then at one point, quite recently, I realized that we’re already there. Not completely, of course. While a 3D printer is essentially a matter replicator, we’re not yet at the point where I can quit looking for the 5th hairbrush I misplaced this month and simply announce, “Computer – One women’s hairbrush. 14 centimeters. Medium bristle strength and distribution,” and then wait a few seconds for one to magically appear from the sleek new machine sitting next to my microwave.
In many other respects, though, we ARE already there. If you watch Star Trek – and clearly I do – you may or may not have noticed how utterly clean and uncluttered every room on the Enterprise is. If you’re as slow on the uptake as I am lately, it may even take you 3 or 4 seasons (or 3 or 4 series for that matter) to realize why.
Computer!!!! Every piece of data, information, entertainment, record keeping, archiving, and analysis is hidden inside the depths of that Enterprise computer. What’s more, if you think about those episodes where the computer is damaged or compromised, it becomes clear that the Enterprise computer is further connected to data storage at Star Fleet headquarters. Given the volume of data they collect (in astrometrics alone!), it’s probably less of a Cloud storage concept and more of a Nebula. Still, the idea is very clear – information and entertainment are stored offsite, out of sight until needed.
Think about it. You never see Worf in his quarters rifling through stacks of Klingon Opera CDs – or worse, magnetic tape versions he meant to copy over to the new format. No, you see him sitting in a clean, uncluttered room where he simply announces, “ Klingon Opera, Shevok'tah gish.” And lo and behold the computer not only immediately plays the requested track but remembers automatically that Klingons prefer their opera at roughly 80 decibels.
Wouldn’t it be great if YOU could use some of that Enterprise technology to declutter your space? You can.
This book examines over a dozen areas in which you can declutter your home by moving your “stuff” to the cloud. Like Agent Coulson’s “Tahiti”, the cloud is a magical place. In the cloud, there is no dusting, no shuffling back and forth of stuff with no real home, and most importantly, no racing from room to room to find what it is that you’re looking for. Assuming Siri is in an accommodating mood, you can even take it to the final “Computer, please play my favorite album….”
==
Film and television views of the future are always clean, sleek and uncluttered. I used to think it was the technology. That at some point in the future, we’d have the technology to meet our daily needs without the need to climb over all of our daily stuff.
Then at one point, quite recently, I realized that we’re already there. Not completely, of course. While a 3D printer is essentially a matter replicator, we’re not yet at the point where I can quit looking for the 5th hairbrush I misplaced this month and simply announce, “Computer – One women’s hairbrush. 14 centimeters. Medium bristle strength and distribution,” and then wait a few seconds for one to magically appear from the sleek new machine sitting next to my microwave.
In many other respects, though, we ARE already there. If you watch Star Trek – and clearly I do – you may or may not have noticed how utterly clean and uncluttered every room on the Enterprise is. If you’re as slow on the uptake as I am lately, it may even take you 3 or 4 seasons (or 3 or 4 series for that matter) to realize why.
Computer!!!! Every piece of data, information, entertainment, record keeping, archiving, and analysis is hidden inside the depths of that Enterprise computer. What’s more, if you think about those episodes where the computer is damaged or compromised, it becomes clear that the Enterprise computer is further connected to data storage at Star Fleet headquarters. Given the volume of data they collect (in astrometrics alone!), it’s probably less of a Cloud storage concept and more of a Nebula. Still, the idea is very clear – information and entertainment are stored offsite, out of sight until needed.
Think about it. You never see Worf in his quarters rifling through stacks of Klingon Opera CDs – or worse, magnetic tape versions he meant to copy over to the new format. No, you see him sitting in a clean, uncluttered room where he simply announces, “ Klingon Opera, Shevok'tah gish.” And lo and behold the computer not only immediately plays the requested track but remembers automatically that Klingons prefer their opera at roughly 80 decibels.
Wouldn’t it be great if YOU could use some of that Enterprise technology to declutter your space? You can.
This book examines over a dozen areas in which you can declutter your home by moving your “stuff” to the cloud. Like Agent Coulson’s “Tahiti”, the cloud is a magical place. In the cloud, there is no dusting, no shuffling back and forth of stuff with no real home, and most importantly, no racing from room to room to find what it is that you’re looking for. Assuming Siri is in an accommodating mood, you can even take it to the final “Computer, please play my favorite album….”
82 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 25, 2020
Clutter Cloud
I bought the book hoping to find a solution for my husband, who is the family clutter-monger. However, it was wasted on him as neither of us are techies and when I mentioned the cloud he looked out of the window. However, even though it was not what I thought it would be, I enjoyed it all the same. A quirky read full of tips and a humorous look at decluttering. Recommended.
I bought the book hoping to find a solution for my husband, who is the family clutter-monger. However, it was wasted on him as neither of us are techies and when I mentioned the cloud he looked out of the window. However, even though it was not what I thought it would be, I enjoyed it all the same. A quirky read full of tips and a humorous look at decluttering. Recommended.
June 9, 2017
Many (most?) of us have trouble with clutter. Some (like the people on that Hoarders TV show) more trouble than others. There are numerous techniques for preventing or eliminating that clutter. My Mom even self-published a book 25 years ago to sell at seminars she conducted that had a chapter on getting rid of clutter.
My success at implementing my Mom’s decluttering ideas has been mixed, at best. I think I’ll have better luck with Charity Grant’s suggestions. Some of them I’ve already implemented. (Those hundreds of books I get each year are no longer paper which has stopped bookcases from taking over my entire house.) Other suggestions I can see their value and, most important, can actually picture myself doing. To me, that’s the sign of a self-help book that’s worthwhile.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
My success at implementing my Mom’s decluttering ideas has been mixed, at best. I think I’ll have better luck with Charity Grant’s suggestions. Some of them I’ve already implemented. (Those hundreds of books I get each year are no longer paper which has stopped bookcases from taking over my entire house.) Other suggestions I can see their value and, most important, can actually picture myself doing. To me, that’s the sign of a self-help book that’s worthwhile.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
January 14, 2019
Some valuable information
Utilizing tech to stay organized and decluttered. This book covers almost everything. Some I agree with, some is not up my alley of thought. Technology is constantly evolving there are a few bits that are not up to date. That however should not stop you from reading this book full of insightful ideas to simplify your world. It would be neat if the author would do a revised updated version with some of her more current recommendations on newer apps and software. This book will start you on a path to decluttering your life. Time for my, no longer listened to cds, to hit the curb.
Utilizing tech to stay organized and decluttered. This book covers almost everything. Some I agree with, some is not up my alley of thought. Technology is constantly evolving there are a few bits that are not up to date. That however should not stop you from reading this book full of insightful ideas to simplify your world. It would be neat if the author would do a revised updated version with some of her more current recommendations on newer apps and software. This book will start you on a path to decluttering your life. Time for my, no longer listened to cds, to hit the curb.
September 19, 2017
I have read Marie Kondo’s books and consider myself a relatively neat person. But well Marie’s not into digital decluttering. I finished this funny and entertaining book in one sitting. The book gave useful tips but it was the author’s humor that made this book a pleasure to read. After reading the book, I rushed to check several old gmail accounts as I didn’t know they can expire. Gosh!
December 7, 2015
This book isn't about getting rid of your favorite music, movies, recipes, etc. Instead, it's about moving it to the digital world. The average household has stacks of CDs, DVDs, and books, etc. that could be utilized easier electronically. Nearly everyone has an iPod or computer to store their music, movie streaming is commonplace and many devices can act as a e-book reader. Author Charity Grant explains how you can utilize such things to streamline your clutter. What should you do with all the clutter when you move it to "The Cloud"? Author Charity Grant gives ideas for you, including why ebay may or may not work to sell off your treasures, and how pinterest has ideas even for reusing old records. This is a great book that will give you lots of ideas to help you clear out space in your house and utilize many of your favorite things better. The author uses a lot of interesting facts as well to make this book a fun read!
April 27, 2017
*review copy provided by author*
This is not my typical type of read. I'm a thrillers and killers kind of girl, however, everyone can use a little organization at times. Between books, music, movies and documents... well lets just say there is so much information and so little time to make it all fit in a nice little package. This is an interesting read. A little confusing at times, but then that could have just been me. LOL
I'm all about moving my clutter around and making it all seemed organized. My OCD appreciated this read, I did learn a few things that I may try. A great self help type of read. One that anyone should be able to learn at least one thing from. The digital age is here and it's time to embrace it... or drown in it. I say embrace it, drowning wouldn't be any fun.
This is not my typical type of read. I'm a thrillers and killers kind of girl, however, everyone can use a little organization at times. Between books, music, movies and documents... well lets just say there is so much information and so little time to make it all fit in a nice little package. This is an interesting read. A little confusing at times, but then that could have just been me. LOL
I'm all about moving my clutter around and making it all seemed organized. My OCD appreciated this read, I did learn a few things that I may try. A great self help type of read. One that anyone should be able to learn at least one thing from. The digital age is here and it's time to embrace it... or drown in it. I say embrace it, drowning wouldn't be any fun.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews