11.18.06
Avoiding News in an Immersive World
Tennis World #1 Roger Federer is playing World #2 Rafael Nadal in a few hours in the Masters Cup semifinals. I assume that Federer will win, but he has a history of bringing out the best in Nadal in a way that he doesn’t with anyone else. It should be a great match, but unfortunately, they’re playing in Shanghai, and no networks in the US are carrying it live. So I have to watch it rebroadcast at 7 PM PST on ESPN2.
I’m going to be really mad if I find out who won before the broadcast. Prime candidates for doing so:
- Gmail Web Clips. They’re great, but I had to remove ESPN.com from my set after it ruined two previous matches in this tournament for me.
- Wikipedia Watchlist. Not a conventional source of spoilers, but I had at least two late-round Wimbledon matches ruined this way. There’s going to be a flurry of activity on the Federer and Nadal articles today.
- Random web surfing. You just never know.
- Sports tickers. I’d like to watch the Michigan/OSU game, but I’m terrified.
So no email, wikipedia, web surfing or TV. Hopefully I’ll emerge from under my rock tomorrow in time for the match!
(And since when was Roger one of the sexiest men alive? He’s really not that attractive!)