Posthuman Blues

I received a wall-mounted clock today. It's square and features a cup of coffee with the words "Best Coffee in Town." Here's the weird part: this thing actually ticks. It makes audible, almost Victorian sounds as it performs its designated function of informing me of the time. This is in stark contrast to all the other electric devices I own, with their mute LCD displays and anonymous plastic carapaces (i.e., my Sharp microwave oven, alarm clocks, stereo system, printer, computer...) I like the ticking; it's oddly reassuring, like a healthy heartbeat.