What I'm questioning today: contentment vs. innovation

Today I encountered an obstacle with my Itunes Match service – I had not realized that the periphery unit, in this case my Iphone, automatically downloads the file from the cloud when played for the first time, and now my storage was pushing capacity.  I immediately went about doggedly trying to figure out a way to mass delete files as swiftly and efficiently as possible, and not finding too much success, as well as getting lost in a lot of time.  I was annoyed, frustrated, nearing Paul Rudd in Wet Hot American Summer tantrum status about having to manually swipe so many entries to free up room – huffing and puffing my way through I’m sure. 

But after clearing some space, and breathing easier, I started considering how 1^st world bratty I was being – thoughts of the twitter hashtag and Louis CK’s “Everything is Amazing and Nobody is Happy” surfacing as I considered how incredible it is to even have such an expanse of music just at my fingertips, to whatever liking I choose, and that I should just shut up.  I mean, everything (or at least close to everything prior to other knowledge) I ever wanted from portable music capabilities had realized itself and I was getting upset for having to spend a half an hour or so deleting some files with the swipe of my chubby little, non-calloused, white-skinned, pain-free, human finger.   

And then I thought, no, this IS a waste of time, and there SHOULD be a better design for cloud usage of music files… I mean right?  Isn’t that what pushes innovation- finding solutions to the inevitable stream of constantly arising problems?  Even if those problems are 1^st world, if you will;  even if they are so minute and haughty compared to someone else’s, aren’t they still problems that one gets to look at and should consider because we have achieved that advancement and should utilize the opportunity to solve these high level problems?  Isn’t that what makes new, un-dreamt technology come about?

So I guess today I’m ultimately questioning where the line is between being grateful for what you have, being happy with the amazingly privileged (in comparison) life you’re given, and the constant need in the world to push forward, not being satisfied with the status quo, challenging each other and ourselves for futures other generations never knew could be possible and making them possible.  I think there has to be some kind of balance in these efforts, and that it could possibly go back to the idea that everybody has a role –  some are leaders and innovators, and some are followers and worker bees, making the ideas happen (to be simplistic in categories here).  The important thing is that there is nothing wrong with either way of living – the satisfaction level and the need for change level – however perspective in these instances is always necessary.  I could probably go on further and further, but I’ve got work to do and you’ve already made it this far, so well done and thank you.