Techie gear – necessary?

To me, "overload" means lugging stuff that I don't use.

Whatever the gadget, if you do use it — even if just for fun and enjoyment — then it's not an overload for you. Remember, we're out there for fun — and we all make our own decisions balancing between things we want to use or enjoy versus their carrying weight versus the potential for distraction.

Alvin Toffler's 1960s tome comes to mind. The technology possibilities are fascinating. We had a chip implanted in our dog. I am not sure what this chip does but it was kind of weird seeing it on the itemized bill from the vet.

What about the Park Service or Forest Service in the high volume areas such as the Sierras, GCNP etc., employing barcode or even a chip for frequent “flyers” to scan our information when applying for a permit and keeping track of our location via satellite making sure we are on our itinerary and keeping an accurate record of availability of permits for the trailheads? Sort of like radio frequency inventory? It is beyond Future Shock.