Journal: News & Comment

We live in the future

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Okay, we don't all have jetpacks and wear silver suits, but we are living in the future. Imagine telling someone even 20 years ago that I'd be able to sit down at a computer in my kitchen and, in real time, know this:

1. A company sending a package to me called FedEx for pickup at 7:08 in the evening on Tuesday.
2. The pickup took place in Rancho Cordova, California, the next afternoon at 1:26.
3. The package left the FedEx Sacramento sorting facility at 8:33 pm.
4. It arrived in Spokane, Washington, at 3:56 this morning.
5. By 8:11 this morning, it was across the border and out the door in Richmond, B.C., not far from my house.
6. At 9:08 it arrived at the local FedEx office, a few minutes down the hill from me.
7. They put in on a truck to deliver to me at 10:13 am.
8. As I was typing this entry, the box arrived at my doorstep at 10:55.

Our 1984 listener would be amazed. Never mind the wireless network and high-speed worldwide data connection I used to get the information.

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