"I said, 'Okay, it's the year 2000, I'm getting a computer and a Palm Pilot.' I know how to check my e-mail, and I've listed some phone numbers on it. Half the time the battery has gone out so I can't use it"

Marc Jacobs’s statement captures a snapshot of the early 2000s, a period marked by rapid technological shifts and the growing ubiquity of digital tools in everyday life. By declaring a specific moment, "the year 2000", and the acquisition of a computer and a Palm Pilot, Jacobs references the cultural significance attached to technology at the dawn of the new millennium. The Palm Pilot, a now-obsolete personal digital assistant, once symbolized cutting-edge productivity, suggesting both personal ambition and the social expectation to keep up with technological progress.

Jacobs’s mention of knowing "how to check my e-mail" and barely listing some phone numbers reflects a minimal interaction with technology, hinting at both discomfort and a learning curve faced by many during that era. E-mail, an emerging communication staple, is presented as the primary use, underscoring how digital communication was rapidly eclipsing traditional methods. Yet, his sparse usage, just checking e-mail and saving numbers, implies a sense of being overwhelmed, or at least unenthusiastic about embracing the full scope of these new devices.

The confession that "half the time the battery has gone out so I can't use it" functions as both a literal nuisance and a metaphor illustrating the limitations and frustrations inherent in early digital devices. Frequent battery failures were common, often rendering the promise of constant connectivity null. This detail humanizes Jacobs, making him relatable to anyone who has struggled with finicky technology. It also subtly critiques the expectation of seamless productivity imposed by new gadgets, highlighting a disconnect between technological aspiration and day-to-day experience.

Overall, Jacobs’s words blend humor and skepticism, conveying a reluctant adaptation to changing times. His candidness reflects not only the technical growing pains of adopting new devices but also a broader ambivalence toward technology’s role in both complicating and simplifying modern life.