3 ms·

All major changes are always far off in the future until they suddenly aren't. It's kind of amazing how often we keep being surprised by this.

drawkbox 8y ago
Yeah wireless internet and mobile devices were talked about for a long time, then suddenly wifi/wireless networks and mobile devices appeared quickly and took over in a flash. Same with flat panel screens/tvs etc. At some point a killer implementation of the technology and costs come together making new innovation possible and market ready, and it is such a benefit that going back is nearly impossible or at least more problematic and costly. Even now, wired internet will go the way of the phone line when 5G or beyond are here, ISPs milking it until then. With cars, electric will take over quickly when costs come down, non electric cars will be around for a long time but they will be more and more costly. The change also creates such a growth market that it attracts tons of money/investment/marketing and it is a mad dash to get everyone using the new innovation, once it is business and market ready.
grecy 8y ago
Yep. The iPhone was only released in 2007, in reality the first mass-market touch "smartphone". Now only 11 years later a friend was almost denied entry to the US because the border officials refused to believe she didn't have a smartphone she could use to show them her bank account. She asked to use wifi and use her laptop, but no, they demanded she use her (non-existent) smartphone. In only 11 years the product has gone from not existing to being essentially mandatory.
- village-idiot 8y ago
  Try telling someone you didn't bring your phone. Most people actually tend to get a bit anxious at the idea.
  - grecy 8y ago
    Oh, I don't have one. People confront me often - "what will you do in an emergency?!"
    - village-idiot 8y ago
      I always laugh at this idea. I’ve never actually met someone who used their phone in an emergency, only in an “emergency”.

drawkbox 8y ago

Yeah wireless internet and mobile devices were talked about for a long time, then suddenly wifi/wireless networks and mobile devices appeared quickly and took over in a flash. Same with flat panel screens/tvs etc. At some point a killer implementation of the technology and costs come together making new innovation possible and market ready, and it is such a benefit that going back is nearly impossible or at least more problematic and costly. Even now, wired internet will go the way of the phone line when 5G or beyond are here, ISPs milking it until then. With cars, electric will take over quickly when costs come down, non electric cars will be around for a long time but they will be more and more costly. The change also creates such a growth market that it attracts tons of money/investment/marketing and it is a mad dash to get everyone using the new innovation, once it is business and market ready.

grecy 8y ago

Yep. The iPhone was only released in 2007, in reality the first mass-market touch "smartphone". Now only 11 years later a friend was almost denied entry to the US because the border officials refused to believe she didn't have a smartphone she could use to show them her bank account. She asked to use wifi and use her laptop, but no, they demanded she use her (non-existent) smartphone. In only 11 years the product has gone from not existing to being essentially mandatory.

village-idiot 8y ago
Try telling someone you didn't bring your phone. Most people actually tend to get a bit anxious at the idea.
- grecy 8y ago
  Oh, I don't have one. People confront me often - "what will you do in an emergency?!"
  - village-idiot 8y ago
    I always laugh at this idea. I’ve never actually met someone who used their phone in an emergency, only in an “emergency”.