An ideal learning environment consists of tranquility, an abundance of natural light, maybe a fern, and depending on your available mantle space: a bronze bust of some dead guy. The showroom floors of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, on the other hand, lacked such components of concentration. They were loud, bathed in shades of pulsating neon, and all together void of flora. Despite such an inherently distracting environment, we came away from CES having learned quite a lot, actually. (21 things, to be precise!) So, here now, in no particular order, we present to you, those 21 things. Enjoy!

1. People hate wires. Cords are so 1995. Today, the mere thought of having to tether an electronic device to the wall confuses and enrages, and is considered no less of an affront to freedom than are potatoes sliced thinly and fried ala French. Clearly, CES 2010 was all about the Wi-Fi … and the WiDi …. and don’t forget the Eye-Fi.
2. Everything is better in three dimensions. Everything. Even Norbit … well, maybe not Norbit, but you couldn’t round a corner at CES without walking into (literally) a 3D TV.
3. CES is the prom all these super-smart innovators never had. A lot of cool new technologies and prototypes were afoot on the floors at CES this year, including some very cool mini laser projectors, super affordable laptops and the much anticipated enTourage eDGe … jUSt to nAMe a fEw.
4. The smaller the technology, the better. Technology comes in all shapes and sizes, but the size of choice at CES was tiny. Really. We saw the world’s smallest DV camera … and then promptly and inadvertently absorbed it through our pores.
5. SmartPhones are making us dumb. Our dependence on these devices now has us deferring to them for directions, social interaction, TV, time and basic math. Plus, comical fart noises.
6. Hamburger Helper apparently produced offspring—a disturbing thought for sure, considering while he had a hand in your beef, he also somehow found time to procreate. Eww.
7. People prefer the risk of electrical shock to paper cuts. The e-reader market is expanding, and most models now offer the ability to store and read an obscene number of books. So, take heed the next time you’re looking to read twenty or thirty books in one sitting.
8. Carrying a small satchel is too much to ask for many business people. Instead, they prefer to wheel them about as if they were luggage and the world their airport, despite how crowded the showroom floors were. We assume it was their consideration for other human beings that was neatly packed away in those oh-so-tempting-to-kick wheelie bags.
9. Video games have come a long way since “PONG.” 3D, motion control, and interactive chat capabilities? Mario must be rolling over in his 8-bit grave … or at least kind of glitching around a little considering those graphics weren’t sophisticated enough to allow for anything quite as advanced as a “roll” maneuver.
10. The earbud reign of terror is over. Sophisticated and stylish “over-ear” headphones were everywhere at CES. Bruised and sore inner ears, rejoice!
11. Always double-down on eleven. Always. And NEVER play blackjack wearing these.
12. The iPhone’s existence has spawned a slew of accessories, some of them bedazzled. Seriously, you couldn’t throw your iPhone at your personal assistant without hitting some accessory designed to protect the thing.
13. Ubiquitous connectivity is everywhere. Cell phones that go online, connected TVs that do the same, and computers that stream TV. With all the intermingling, it won’t be too long before every technology culminates into small, pocket devices that do absolutely everything. Patent pending, we’re gonna call ‘em “Shebangs.”
14. Thin is in! (NOTE: This was just an obligatory bullet-point. See every other trend in history for further support of this theory.) Also, TVs really are super-sleek nowadays.
15. Automotive technology is speeding up. There was a time when seat warmers were cutting edge in automotive technology. That time is over (but still standard). Now it’s all about in-dash computer systems and GPS navigation … and making that GPS say naughty words.
16. With so many docks, CES could have easily been mistaken for a boat show. CES vendors really told us where to stick it … in the multitude of portable speaker docks for iPods that were on display everywhere.
17. People like to touch. The touch-screen is everywhere and included in most new technologies. Now whenever we have to push an actual button we feel put out. And tired.
18. CES has Attention Deficit Disorder. Further evidence of this is … woo flashy light blinking colors!
19. The Sun is hot. Not since Hypercolor has the earth’s Sun been so pivotal to a hot trend. Solar (and wind-powered) chargers were everywhere at CES, and are currently leading the eco-friendly tech revolution.
20. Taking photographs is the least of what cameras can do. Possibly spurred by the fact that every cell phone, keychain and toaster now has the ability to take photos, cameras and camcorders are supping up their capabilities as well … and they look pretty doing it.
21. Today’s “cutting edge” technology will be tomorrow’s Virtual Boy. Innovation never ceases, and in the perpetual boxing match that is competing technologies, CES is something of the pre-fight weigh-in.