If computers were like cars

Imagine this situation. You are cruising along at 65mph when your brakes freeze and your engine stalls. You reach for your mobile and, assuming you have a signal, dial General Motors technical support, only to be told to reboot your car. Fortunately, cars work well. If you ever need service, that is customer service, from one of the newer high-tech industries, you might as well just throw the damned product out. Each time the consumer price index comes out, I am struck by the disconnect between reported inflation (low) and my experience of inflation (not so low), manifested by the d...