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morfe lux 301 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 19:13
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"Just think what technology has done for the world in the last 100 years . . . and if anything the pace of tech development is INCREASING . . . ." It may be a little glib of me, but I'm not quite so openly welcoming of technology for technology's sake, (neither am I a luddite, I just abhor technology creating a problem/vaccuum (for fiscal profit) instead of solving a problem. It puts me in mind of a simple but powerful parable: An American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village where a small boat with just one fisherman was docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while. The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time? The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, senor." The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard M.B.A. and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat with the proceeds. From the bigger boat you could buy several boats and eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise." The Mexican fisherman asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?" To which the American replied, "15-20 years." But what then, senor? The American laughed and said that's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions. Millions, senor? Then what? The American said, "Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
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anthonyqkiernan 7087 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:01
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Heh-heh. Nice. Do not be ashamed of being called Luddite. If my vague grasp of the Industrial Revolution should be trusted, they were the few that had it sussed. Technology is only bad when you look at how it is used. Where the powerloom didn't result in the utopian happier healthier staff and higher output, it just led to the dark satanic mills. Similarly the wonders of modern communication now only means that with your mobile and laptop you're not expected to work smarter and less, but instead also on the way to the office. etc. (Probably not the place to bring up my general enthusiasm for gm tech)
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morfe lux 301 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:12
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(Probably not the place to bring up my general enthusiasm for gm tech) I'd love to hear your enthusiasm. Another thread?
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ron 706 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:19
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"We'll stop needing the stuff for energy long before we run out." exactly which planet is it on that you reside? http://www.cloud23.net/index.cfm?action=blog.61 "I also have a lot of faith in technology to make things like fuel cells cost-effective....Just think what technology has done for the world in the last 100 years..." cuz you're thinking that we actually have another 100 years to figure this out? x
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Moon Cat 9577 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:23
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I should just like to say that this is a facinating thread; I've really enjoyed pouring through it and 'listening' to all the comments. 'Fraid I haven't got a suggestion* and certainly not much to add 'cos there's a lot more informed folks said their bit here far more completely than I could. Nice one dudes! Keep going! *I was gonna suggest a benevolent dictatorshop with meself running the show but I'm not sure the world is ready for the Purple Age just yet.
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ron 706 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:27
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good luck on that man! i've been in the same mode for going on 10 years... initally it was due to other circumstances, abeit related to the well-being and safety of the missus and off-spring. i sincerely wish you the best on that, in fact i belive that more folks should come to the conclusion that "we're fucked" and go to ground... get away from the cities... awl-rite, back of the class for me... hey, wait a sec... i'm awl-ready there... x
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anthonyqkiernan 7087 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:27
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Hey, I said "general". I will work at it. I need to get it as airtight as possible, just because it's such a contentious issue. (I will point out that I'm not pro-planting any of the crap, mind)
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anthonyqkiernan 7087 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:30
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>>just yet But "Sooooooooon my pretties, soon"? |
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Moon Cat 9577 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 20:32
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Don't make me get my flying monkeys.
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Dog 3000 4611 posts |
Sep 09, 2003, 21:07
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Revisionism and fairytales . . . How is this global revolution going to come about anyway? How many million will have to die? You don't seriously believe Marx when he said he could "predict the future" do you?
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