The People of China, Jacob, 2006-2009
It’s well known to those that know it well, that my computer is broken. Fractured for weeks. Cracked like glass. It’s face defaced. It cries for repair and love that I long to give it, but with out the proper screen, it will remain broken forever.
An ocean away, in a country grossly overpopulated but as comfortable to me as my own home, lives China. They build the world around me, and yet they don’t know me. And even though this barrier stands between us, I love them. Symbiotically. Like a child to it’s mother.
There is a story that I must tell that hasn’t ended yet, but I will tell it anyway. It is the story of my computer named Jacob.
THE STORY OF JACOB
Jacob, in the beginning, was nothing just like all things. He started out as an idea, conceived by an individual and nurtured in the womb. He was proposed on whiteboards, statistic spreadsheets, and blueprints. And for a while it was good.
Later, it was time for his birth. Many parts assembled themselves from the cosmos of the universe thousands of years ago, and congealed into a specific space on an assembly line. Metal and fire mostly. Jacob’s brothers and sisters were born before him the same way. But one day, Jacob was born from the same fire. His body, fresh. His skin, fragile. His brain, ready for learning. And for a while it was good.
The People of China looked upon Jacob and told him, “Jacob, we will send you away from home on an adventure to a new land called The United States of America where a young boy needs your help. Be good, Jacob.” The People of China closed the lid on his travel container and Jacob rested in on the soft Styrofoam in a silent, solemn slumber. And for a while it was good.
Eventually, Jacob arrived in Rosemount, Minnesota after hours of travel. However, Master was nowhere to be found. He asked the residence nearby where he went. They answered, “North Carolina.” So, he went. And for a while it was good.
Jacob arrived in Master’s arms the next day thanks to the U.S. Postal Service. Jacob and Master rejoiced and friendship was shared. They would experience many things together: drawing, Kittens Inspired by Kittens, long nights of homework, and 2girls1cup. But throughout their friendship they loved each other like brothers. And for a while it was good.
Then one day, Jacob and his master were watching a movie on the bed. Master was preoccupied and bumped Jacob off the bed. Jacob fell looking up at Master’s horrified face screaming, “JACOB! NO!” But Jacob didn’t say anything, as if all the effort that it took for him to be created, for all the time it took for him to get to North Carolina, and for all the memories that he had with Master, he said nothing. Then, Jacob plainly hit the ground causing much harm to his face. Master picked him up and cradled him, and there was much shedding of tears that night. This time it was not good.
Today, Jacob sits in a vegetable state. Only his memories are accessed. And Master doesn’t use Jacob anymore. Jacob longs for Master’s touch or maybe watching another movie sometime. But he cannot see. Jacob is blind and disfigured.
If only a computer could heal like a human can heal. As if the screen had only some gashes that would heal after a topical application of Neosporin and a Band-Aid only leaving a minimum amount of scar tissue.
Maybe someday he will be able to do all those things again. Maybe so. Maybe he will go back to the People of China where he will be disassembled into nothingness again. And maybe then he will be reincarnated and shipped to another master who will love him better. Maybe, just maybe.
In memory of Jacob
May he rest in peace.
