When I was a youngster, my grandfather gave me his Minox B so-called "spy camera." I loved this tiny wonder in spite of the difficulty getting or processing its miniature film. Oh, and the grainy prints were awful; the lens barely functional; the focus always a guess. But it fit in my pocket and I could take it everywhere. I loved that camera, but I hated the pictures that came from it. I wonder why I don't love my smartphone with equal enthusiasm. Is it because it's too easy, too capable, and too excellent? Perhaps if my grandfather had given me an iPhone I'd be more enthusiastic about using it.

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