chipthinks: Dont look at them as long distance calls. Consider the Call'ee as just round the corner. Then work backwards and find the easiest line of connection. Invariably, that line is the Internet. Phone rates have been decreasing significantly in Asia and most of the World over the last decade, and more so when you consider a 4-5% inflationary trend. Its just a matter of time till your blahblah.com site comes up with a free wireless communication device, offering unparalleled connectivity from here to the Moon. And i did mention free, because its almost a fundamental principle that humans have an inherant need to connect and communicate with others.
Computers have become the modern mailman, banker, television and radio (and much more). These unpaid workhorses will bring seamless networking further into our lives.
(100% of 8 votes AGREE)
Is time the new currency?
chipthinks: Carbon Credits, Gold, even Distance could be classified as tradable commodities, but Time has no start nor end. We're just giving ourselves too much importance in thinking that we can control Time. Or quantify it. A riverside picnic could take the same time as solving a complex algorithm, and one could get various pleasure out of these activities depending on one's tastes, but i think the real question that we need to ask is: Are we happy doing what we do? 'Cause you can say 'i took ten minutes' , but can you say 'the experience gave me X degrees of happiness'?
Maybe the new world needs Time to make sense of it all, but give me a lazy sunday afternoon, a dip in the sea, a mountain trek or a late brunch anyday.
(98% of 113 votes AGREE)
4 Day Working Week
chipthinks: Since we're in Euro flavour... one of Renault's (of about 2) more automated factories (which number, ummm, 16 worldwide) produces 1500 cars per day, with 2 assembly lines of 2 generations of robotic helpers, old and new. It probably wont make a difference to those assembly lines. And thats what technology is all about. It gives us the freedom to enjoy, explore and appreciate all the world has to offer. I was hoping for a debate on a 2 day working week...sign me up!
If its paper-pushing, then you have telecommuting....work all day,all week or at your pace and wherever you are.
(80% of 10 votes AGREE)
Are traffic lights dangerous?
chipthinks: Couple of things. Traffic lights are essential to minimise urban chaos until the next generation of traffic or automobile management comes into play. maybe cars will be electronically synchronised and operated. maybe we will have carplanes, reducing the need for ground based management. maybe we'll have airpods and more mass transport. maybe even mile long walkways at 30kmph or 18 mph through our city centres and heavy human density areas. In india, almost every single roundabout (British rule right?) was converted to a traffic junction which caused more pollution because of engine idling in a single location, more time and more gasoline consumption. Not that roundabouts didn't have their share of problems, but take a look at the multi-level roudabout (Shanghai, was it?) .. that might be an idea for the future.
Unless you just up into your 2055 AirCar and set UPS (Universal Positioning System) for the Moon.
(93% of 15 votes AGREE)
Simple menus in restaurants
chipthinks: I own a restaurant and have a simple enough menu.. one that im proud of. But there are those dreaded days when i say shucks, maybe twenty years from now, we're just gonna pop a pill, munch a wafer-like breakfast and hit rush hour running, with our reverse-osmosis, oxygenated H20 !! Oh no, im doing that already. bye to the steak and potato, wot?
(83% of 6 votes AGREE)
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