Auren Hoffman's Summation Push for the week of December 31, 1999

This issue:

* Wrist Watch Crazy
* Auren in George Magazine
* Survey for President -- Which candidate is your best fit?
* Standardizing the World
* Summation Push Pick Links
* Hoffman Reading List

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WRIST WATCH CRAZY

By Auren Hoffman

I've been wearing a watch since second grade and I relied on it for everything. The watch was like my electric security blanket. When people would ask me my birthday, I would instinctively look at my watch before responding as if my watch contained all answers to questions about space and time.

I am a stickler for punctuality -- and my watch was my savior. With my watch set 7-8 minutes fast, I'd always be on-time to everything.

But this summer everything changed. My watch broke.

I did not have time to have the watch fixed, so I decided to see if I could kick my watch addiction. I figured, there are clocks on every wall, clocks on my computer, so why do I need something strapped to my wrist?

At first, it was liberating. I instantly became more social, asking perfect strangers for the time. And I was more resourceful -- learning where all the clocks were around San Francisco -- on top of the high-rises, inside buildings with clear windows, and in some other nooks and crannies. I also found that I could rely on my mobile phone if I really needed to know the time.

But my life also became more difficult. When I went into meetings, I had to remember to sit on the side of the table that was facing the clock or my meetings would run over. And my meetings did run over. Interviews for potential employees were frequently taking 15-25 minutes more than planned.

And I was late to appointments. Even with all the clocks around town, there is no substitute for a quick glance at the trusty wrist watch. I was starting to arrive 5-10 minutes late -- and old friends were asking me if I was alright.

So I finally had enough of my experiments. I hopped on the Internet and ordered a watch. Now that it has arrived, I've reclaimed my old habits of wrist watch dependency.

(Keeping time? Write auren@summation.net)

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AUREN IN GEORGE MAGAZINE

Some of you had the misfortune of seeing my mug in George Magazine (in the current December/January issue).

I was picked by George as one of six future leaders of America. The other five future leaders are a cartoonist, a Penthouse model, the first human to undergo gene therapy, a spiritual leader, and a businesswoman. Pick up the issue on newsstands.

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SURVEY FOR PRESIDENT
WHICH CANDIDATE YOUR BEST FIT?

By Auren Hoffman

iVillage has a neat survey to match your views to a Presidential candidate. The survey results are surprisingly accurate, and interesting.

Check out the survey at:
http://www.ivillage.com/election/candidates/match/quiz

My results are:
George W.: 50%
Orrin Hatch: 50%
Alan Keyes: 35%
Steve Forbes: 30%
Harry Browne: 25%
John McCain: 25%
Gary Bauer: 25%
Bill Bradley: 15%
Al Gore: 15%

(Your thoughts on the campaign? Write auren@summation.net)

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STANDARDIZING THE WORLD

I'm glad some things don't have standards. There is no "standard" ideology, no standard type of cuisine, no standard dress, no standard color of hair.

But some things should have standards -- and the U.S. should conform to those.

The United States is in the dark ages because it is still using the English system of measurements (which even its namesake, the English, have long since abandoned). The U.S. should join the rest of the world and switch to the metric system.

We should also change the date to day/month/year -- which makes much more sense than month/day/year. There is so much confusion between the U.S. and the rest of the world on dates.

(Got a good idea? Write auren@summation.net)

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THIS WEEK'S SUMMATION PUSH PICK LINKS:

* Your Match for President (http://www.ivillage.com/election/candidates/match/quiz) - cool survey to match yourself to a candidate.
* The Dialectizer (http://www.rinkworks.com/dialect/) - this web site will convert any other site into a different dialect.
* Zing -- (http://www.zing.com/) -- on online picture community where you can store digital pictures and send them to your friends.
* Get a Free House now! -- (http://www.summation.net/freehouses/) -- Is free stuff getting ridiculous? Get a free house.
* What am I reading? The Hoffman Reading List (http://www.summation.net/reading.html)

NOTE: Auren Hoffman works for BridgePath.com but the opinions expressed herein are solely those of Mr. Hoffman.

NOTE: You may reprint in full or in part (for free) with permission from author.

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