Scott Bush

… don’t mix. I’ve noticed (as I’m sure you have, too) that people can’t seem to let a monitor, projector, or other device with an energy-saving mode actually work in their presence. Here’s the scenario: room full of people in a meeting, one of whom has a laptop hooked to a projector. The discussion goes on well past the topic of the slide projected on the room’s screen. When the signal from the laptop cuts out due to inactivity–as it’s supposed to do in order to save energy and the life of the bulb in the projector–someone absent-mindedly shakes the mouse to wake it up, though the information isn’t relevant to the conversation.

I’ve seen this happen as many as three times in a row. Though I’ve wanted to say something, I didn’t want to sound like a shrill eco-nazi. “Stop wasting energy!” I’d scream, and everyone would swivel toward me, staring. I’m already on thin ice for mentioning that the faucet doesn’t need to spew gallons of water down the drain while some lady idly rinses a tupperware (that she’ll place in the dishwasher moments later) while talking to her colleague.

So, the next time you see someone wake up a computer for no discernible reason, say something. That way I won’t have to.