ACON - Air Conditioning?

by Quercus

Some light reading for today's post...

"ACoN" in our usage doesn't refer to "A/C" or "Air Conditioning". But as a metaphor, it could:

How ACoN's are like "ACON":

Both are used to make an inhospitable environment more tolerable to the controller.

Use of either is inefficient - it takes incredible amounts of energy to keep both an ACoN and ACON running.

Neither have a choice on when they are turned on or off - they're controlled by someone else.

Sometimes they are a source of pride for the owner ("We have ACON!") and are bragged about, though that pride never translates into affection for the ACoN/ACON unit.

No one worries about the ACoN/ACON; if burns out, they'll get a new and better one.

Both are expected to clear the air, though neither sullied it.

Both are expected to be present, working, but silent and not seen.

If it's chilly, they'll get blamed for the icy atmosphere (regardless of who set the dials).

They have lots of convenient buttons to push.

They are taken for granted. Older ones are replaced, unceremoniously, by newer, more responsive systems.

They aren't repaired until they completely fall apart. Maintenance is a hassle for the owner.

Some aren't even allowed completely into the house - they are only allowed to peer in through the window.

They are viewed as machines to provide a service and nothing more.

They have no rights.

Sometimes, though they're working at full tilt, someone will open a door or a window as well. They endlessly try to cool the atmosphere of the entire world until they break down, at which point they are blamed, referred to as a piece of crap, and kicked to the curb.

They may have served an entire family for decades, tirelessly, without complaint - and they are simply discarded and complained about when they die of exhaustion.

Both can 'vent' endlessly! :-)

How ACoNs are NOT like "ACON":

ACoNs can quit before they die.

ACoNs do, in fact, have rights outside of their FOO.

ACoNs can walk away.

ACoNs can learn to disable their buttons and dials.

ACoNs can get therapy (maintenance) and be reconfigured to perform different functions that would benefit the ACoN as opposed to just the FOO!

ACoNs can read. And write. And express themselves!

ACoNs can get access to the internet (though perhaps there are fancy A/C units that can do that, too! I don't know!).

ACoNs can communicate with other ACoNs and show each other respect and love.

ACoNs can choose who they serve, and what services they provide. And they can negotiate and have their own needs met as well.

ACoNs have hope.