There is a viral message that has been circulating for a few years now. It is usually titled "Things That Will Disappear In Our Lifetime". Here are a few items from the list with my commentary:
- Television: Google Fiber is being installed in our building this month. Their service seems to marry high speed connection with TV channels. In the years ahead I think that our culture will complete the transition from antennas to internet connections. Perhaps all TV shows will be on demand in the future?
- Paper Books and Newspapers: If you printed this post and are reading it on paper, you may disagree with me on this one. Kidding aside, many people these days are getting more and more information online.
- The Post Office: Bureaucratic organizations seem to take a long time to die - the USPS continue to lose money every day but stays in business. That said, I think that things like email and FedEx will cause the postal service to become something different. And maybe stamps will one day be antiques?
- Checks: I have to admit that we use these paper vouchers a lot less than when we were young. These days cash, credit/debit cards and auto-withdrawals seem to cover most of the things that we purchase. Even so, I will not be putting a chip in my arm or taking a mark on my forehead. ツ
- Land Line Telephones: This month Ann and I are losing our internet wired (VOIP) phone connection and going to only use our cell phones. This seems to be a growing trend in the world. That said, I think that land lines will be here for a long time as people continue to explore VOIP solutions.
Bob, I think that I will disappear in my lifetime. I'm 64 years old and nearer the Kingdom than I was yesterday.
ReplyDelete1949 was a very good year Eddie! Especially the middle of May! ツ
DeleteOne of the reason cable likes On Demand is because they can make you watch commercials which is where they money comes from. With DVR no one watches commercials anymore, at least I don't! I still love a book in my hand. I still mail things daily with stamps, I would hate to see the P.O. gone but change is inevitable. I agree, I'm okay without checks but do use them to send in cards for birthday gifts. Guess I'll be sending gift cards instead. I never ever want to be without my land line phone. I can't stand talking on a cell phone! As you can see I am not a creature of change, it gets me angry.
ReplyDeleteSome On Demand stations (like CBS) lets you fast forward through commercials Debby but others (like ABC) do not. We love the DVR and are looking forward to more recording options with Google Fiber. And yeah, change can be rough.
DeleteWe still have our land line. We have DirectTV, which is way too expensive, but with the 'converter' box for the antennae we only go one network and PBS. We use some mail, but pay most of our bills online. My grandkids love getting postcards from g'ma. Our internet is pretty slow, but a WHOLE lot faster than dial-up! I agree with Eddie, getting closer to the Kingdom everyday.
ReplyDeleteTook us a while to get used to the idea of going without a land line Linda. I think all of the spam calls we get made us willing to give it a try.
DeleteMaybe it's because I love watercolor, and the flow of liquid ink, maybe it's because I'm 72, maybe it's because I want to "write" my personal letters and notes, maybe I'm in my own little world. The downside, my grandchildren are having a hard time reading cursive, because they don't teach it any more. All homework has to be printed or typed (computer and printed)...I use stamps, I write checks, I make groc. lists, and To Do lists...OK ~ Confession is over... I admit it.... I am Pre Historic!!! But I'm happy in my world. I do love my blogging, so I'm not totally out of touch.
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts Wanda! Reading about "reading cursive" gives me cause to pause. My doc prints off prescriptions for readability but I still cannot read his signature. ツ
DeleteI would like to see postal mail delivery service go. They lose so much money every year. Everyone is mobile and I believe each town should have a large Post Office with P.O. boxes for everyone to send and receive any necessary mail. The accounting firm, where my son works, is already "paperless" so that is a trend of the future. I still want to hold my REAL book in my hands when I read it though. So I guess I'm a mixed bag and definitely on my way to "being out of here" in this current form!!!
ReplyDeleteI love that approach Susan! Even in large cities you could have neighborhood post offices where one could pick up snail mail after they receive a "you've got mail" email. And I do think that we are all mixed bags. ツ
DeleteEven so, I will not be putting a chip in my arm or taking a mark on my forehead. ツ
ReplyDeleteWell, that's good to know:)
I thought you might appreciate that Alice!
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