Go On Without Me
For various reasons, I hardly read a newspaper any more. One of the reasons is the general quality of the Lawrence Journal-World (a/k/a Lawrence Journal-Rag); another is the local media monopoly held by the World Company which owns the Lawrence paper, bought out the other papers such as Baldwin Ledger, and owns the cable TV service. I’m just philosophically disposed to boycott to the extent possible. But there are occasions when the LJW is a handy read, and sometimes I even spot something that strikes a chord. Such was the case this evening, although it was actually yesterday’s paper. The July 12 syndicated column (requires registration) by Leonard Pitts, Jr., “winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for commentary”, a columnist for the Miami Herald, was generally about where technology has actually brought us now that we’ve reached the future that was hyped in the 50’s and 60’s. He pondered a $3200 internet ready refigerator with TV in door that he spotted at a store. His concluding remark struck one of those chords: “Sometimes, you’ve just got to let the future go on without you.”
Kathie says:
Good call. I’m all about keeping your feet planted in the dirt, even if you let your head be in the clouds occasionally. But then again, I really like my internet ready fridge…I mean, when you need a recipie quick, the net’s right there!!
John says:
But … where’s the keyboard? And how do you keep it from getting all … yucky? Oh! Yeah! VRS (Voice Recognition Software). Computer! Martini! rumble-rumble-rumble ka-chink! Ahhhhhhhhhhh.