I bought the newest iPhone the other day because Apple has a great marketing department. Actually, it’s the first smartphone I’ve owned in 3 or 4 years, and I must admit it was jarring coming back, despite working with a tablet for those 3-4 years.

I keep getting notifications to configure this app, adjust that setting, or review these preferences. I’m fairly tech savvy and while it has been enjoyable, it still seems a bit much.

The final straw was when I was asked to scan my ear with the camera to improve spatial audio for my headphones. I’m not disputing the fact that this is cool tech, nor am I questioning how well it works. The question this notification forced me to wrestle with was “does this really improve the quality of my life?” I had to think of all of the people who are struggling to find a place to stay the night, who are choosing to go without a meal because they can’t afford it, while I’m standing in my office with my phone in the air like an idiot trying to scan my ear.

Would our collective time as humans not be better spent helping our fellow man with food, shelter, and connection? I don’t think any sane person with a soul left would say “no.” So then how do we build a culture that incentivizes us to apply our energy to these challenges, rather than optimizing our headphones based on the shape of our ears? I wish I had the answers, but I suspect I’ll be reminded of this question, because scanning our ears is probably only the tip of the iceberg.

The comedian Brian Regan does a bit on what he calls “the ‘me’ monster,” and I recommend taking a look. I’m sure it’s on YouTube. You may have met a “me monster” before. He or she comes out at social events and is only interested in making themselves the center of conversation and adoration. These type of people bother me, and I’m becoming one of them.

LinkedIn has turned into a disturbing competition of self promoting “me monsters.” What business networking would have previously been accomplished by a warm introduction by a colleague who values your work has turned into an online “look at me” shouting match as more and more work and relationships are forged digitally.

As a small business owner just starting out, it’s hard to ignore the benefit of posting your greatest hits online and inviting the world to celebrate. This brings more work and an ability to continue serving others with a product or service you believe in. The trick is to do not in a way that doesn’t make you sound like a “me monster.“ I don’t think I’ve cracked it yet, but half of the battle is identifying the problem, and there is a problem.

I’ve been talking with my friends lately about their in-laws, and it has led to some ridiculous stories and lively discussion. There is a reason that people like to jokes about their in-laws; disagreements and ill sentiment are prevalent. Why?

People are not perfect. I don’t think this is news to anyone, but there are imperfect people everywhere. Why don’t the people at your job or on the train bother you so much? At least three things are at play. First, as you grow up with your family, you become desensitized to just how ridiculous they are. Secondly, you get to know them well. There is no pretense of normalcy and no attempt to curb personalities or remain socially acceptable. Lastly, you love them because they are family, even though they are flawed.

With in-laws, you have none of these three elements. You are thrust into the middle of a family circle of people who are as imperfect as yourself, do not attempt to hide it, and with whom you have not come to love yet as you grow together. It’s no surprise then, that bad in-law jokes are the rule, and not the exception.

I borrowed a book from the local library titled: “Design since 1945.” In it I was struck by a page showcasing a chair made out of steel springs. Yes, the seating area was fashioned out of steel springs as you might find if you stripped the cushioning off of a bed. “How can that be comfortable?” you might ask. And the answer is it wasn’t. The chair didn’t gain popularity. However, what amazed me about the writeup next to the item was that the inventor kept working on his product, refining it and changing it. Eventually advances in plastic fabrication progressed to the place where the bouncy steel structure could be coated creating a comfortable, resilient seat and back for the chair.

A mentor of sorts once told me “I’ve never taken a risk that didn’t benefit me in some way.” I’ve thought about that a lot over the years, and it has made me realize that if you are humble and willing to learn, there is no useless project. Perhaps the project is a stepping stone, or a metal spring chair, or one of Thomas Edison’s 10,000 ways it will not work, but it offers something to you. How much you take from it is up to you.