Rationing Spells and Battery

January 4th, 2014
magic, phone
Magical universes all have some way of limiting how much magic you can do. Perhaps you have to prepare spells before using them, or draw on local Mana, or perhaps it just tires you out when you do a lot. But there's a big difference between Harry Potter going about the day casting spells as is convenient and a D&D wizard carefully rationing their prepared spells. One gives you a world in which magic is ubiquitous and used casually, the other a world where it's used only when important.

Getting a new phone with better battery life [1] feels like moving between these universes. Now I can just use my phone when I feel like it, not worrying about what else I'll need it for later in the day. Similarly I don't have to think about places to charge it while I'm out or traveling: I just plug it in every night. Removing a need for rationing has been remarkably freeing. I should have done this sooner.


[1] My new Moto X has much better battery life than my Galaxy SII ever did, and by the time I switched the SII didn't have the capacity it used to.

Referenced in:

Comment via: google plus, facebook, substack

Recent posts on blogs I like:

Differential diagnosis of loveshyness

In my life coaching practice, I see a lot of male clients who have trouble getting dates (including fairly severe trouble, such as never having been kissed in spite of being in their thirties).

via Thing of Things February 6, 2026

2025-26 New Year review

This is an annual post reviewing the last year and setting intentions for next year. I look over different life areas (work, health, parenting, effectiveness, etc) and analyze my life tracking data. Highlights include a minimal group house, the usefulness…

via Victoria Krakovna January 19, 2026

Family Christmas

Unlike many families my family celebrates Christmas with really really a lot of our family. This past year there were about 29 people at my Grandfather's house in the week around Christmas. I know what you're thinking: how does that work? It's…

via Lily Wise's Blog Posts January 3, 2026

more     (via openring)