All The Gear But No Idea

Or 'once I own that then I will be able to do x,y,z properly'

With digital technology it is possible to have all the latest equipment and yet not actually produce a final version of anything. Equipment magnitudes more powerful than in the analogue era.

Having the potential to do everything creates a certain feeling around it. It confers on the owner a sense of identity through those particular possessions and bestows a sense of superiority; I think of myself as the next Spielberg- Want to make films - have a mac with final cut;
I think of myself as the next Madonna- want to make an album - have a mac with logic.
I think of myself as the next Stephen King - want to write a novel - have a laptop with etc... or for ultra-portability and perhaps a better story should I really only have pen and paper and a great idea?

Seemingly forever increasing computing power means that if 18 months later nothing substantial has been produced the set-up is no longer industry standard - top of the range. The sense of pride has diminished and status has diminished to become something slightly disappointing with a whiff of embarrassment.

Why is it difficult sometimes to be creative when you have every tool you should need including the moon on a stick and unlimited collaborators (a.k.a internet access)?

Does the glowing screen put us into a trance? Typing, mouse-clicks, copying. Doing but not achieving anything worthwhile.

Maybe there is something to be said for trying to do 80% of the thinking off-computer and then leave the production side as much as possible to computer. As most people know - yes copying and pasting are easy. Yes computers allow for more professional results but mostly they do not save time.
Is it the time demand that makes us content to have bought the equipment, look at it and know the capability and go no further? At least for 18 months.