July 23, 2011

Ready or not, here it comes!

Whether high tech changes are good or bad depends in part on how we adapt to them. But, ready or not, here they come.

I personally can’t imagine the world without the Post Office but I surely see it coming soon. They are so deeply in financial trouble that there is probably no way to sustain it long term. E-mail, Fed Ex, and UPS have just about wiped out the minimum revenue needed to keep the post office alive. Most of us pay our bills online these days and the mailbox is just filled with junk mail.

The end of reading most Newspapers is coming. I now read mine online. It was just a thing to do after retirement and trying to cut back on expenses. But I have noticed that the younger generation simply doesn't read the newspaper. I do feel bad that so many people will be unemployed because of our new high tech way of life. I still miss the “Milk Man”.

I no longer purchase Magazines either.

No, I have not given up the physical book yet for the “Kindle”. I still love going to my local library to select a few books to read.

I’m considering dropping my landline and just keep my cell phone but I get a little uncomfortable of letting go of it just yet. All the cell phone companies will let you call customers using the same cell provider for no charge against your minutes but then again not everyone is on the same provider!

I’m upset that my CD player stopped working. I had the 6 CD changer which I loved. I have invested a great deal of money on CDs to enjoy my personal selection of music. Try and find a CD player today………….I truly don’t want to buy an IPOD.

But I do miss my music especially when I’m doing my housework or cooking.  There is the option for the very expensive "Bose" but who can afford it and it is quite pricey should it breakdown leaving you still searching for a CD player?????

I’m very much aware that most of my prize possessions I own today may not even be around in the future. Today my computer stores my photos, music, graphics, blogs and documents.

We live in a virtual cyberspace world, you can access your music or your books, or your whatever from any laptop or handheld device. You can purchase just about anything you want or need via the computer or your fancy phone. That's the good news.

But, will you actually have any of this "stuff" if it disappears at any moment in a big "Poof?" Will most of the things in our lives be disposable? It makes you want a backup system and pull out that photo album, grab a book from the shelf, or open up a CD case and pull out the insert.

We no longer have privacy…that is gone. It's been gone for a long time. There are cameras on the street, in most of the buildings, and even built into your computer and cell phone. But you can be sure that 24/7, "They" know who you are and where you are, right down to the GPS. We are constantly being put in a position to keep buying the same concept but in a different package over and over again.

As much as I love my computer, the “simple” life was comforting and certainly less expensive. We are left with the memories!


8 comments:

  1. Sometimes the changes end up being positive. I know I resisted going to digital cameras for a long time, and now I love the convenience of uploading pictures. Perhaps kindle, ipod, and such will eventually feel the same.

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  2. First I love the peeper from the other side of the book shelf.

    I still miss the milk man too!!!! YOu are right on target, things are coming ready or not. I remember when I was told to get a bank account, because that is the only way you are going to get paid. Back then not everyone had a checking account.

    It is amazing the changes, and you are right about the Post Office. It is truly a management thing. Someone in management did not want to handle packages in the USPO and raised the prices to high to bother. With that decision companies have florished, paying for fleets of planes and trucks by delivering packages.
    Enough from me, you hit the nail on the head. The youngsters do not know it is change, it is what they are growing up with.

    Love you and a great entry.
    Sherry & Jack up in North CArolina for a few more weeks.

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  3. There are so many changes that it is impossible for me to keep up with them all. There have and always will be change, but lately it seems to be happening faster and faster. Thank the dear Lord though for changes we'd be in a stalemate without them. I do like the simpler days and still adhere to many old fashioned things because I like them. It's our choice which is another thing to be thankful for. Good to see a post from you and hope your summer is a good one. I heard on the news that Florida is cooler than we are right now. We're in a heat wave and I'm most inside keeping cool.

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  4. Enjoyed reading your blog---yes, technology has certainly changed our world!
    I love the new photo of you---you look stunning!
    (I was supposed to go to that mag. opening at IL Bacio in Delray but I got a
    flat tire and never made it. Just laid out $329 for 2 new tires---YUCK)
    I'm going to Boston in August---
    can't wait!
    Hugs,
    Deby

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  5. I love books but storing them was getting difficult. So now I have a Kindle and Xoom tablet. I too do eveything online, but what happens if the power goes out for any extended period of time. A scary thought.

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  6. You make such good points here. I often wonder where we will be if the electricity goes out!

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  7. Rose, it is a depressing but accurate picture you paint here. I don't like it that Big Brother knows how many times a day I scratch my nose. The worst part of all is to think what all these fabulous gadgets are used for. It's the growth of inanity and the storing of useless information. I'm with you. I like a book and a CD and stay out of my life.
    D

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  8. If there's one institution that I would vote to subsidize, it's the Post Office. It's one of the few face to face things that still exist.

    By the way Rose, As a teenager, I worked as a helper one summer on a milk truck. It has quite a few perks....

    Jimmy

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