The Future is Now!

One of my favorite movies is Dinner at Eight, made way back in 1933. There are many great moments in the film, but one in particular inspired today's post.  And if you're a fan of the movie, you probably know which one!

Marie Dressler & Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight

In the closing scene, gold-digging Kitty Packard (played by sexy Jean Harlow) talks to matronly Carlotta Vance, a former 1890's Broadway star (played by Marie Dressler):

Kitty:  I was reading a book the other day.

Carlotta: (appears startled) Reading a book?

Kitty: Oh, yes, all about civilization or something; a nutty kind of a book. Do you know that the guy said machinery is going to take the place of every profession?

Carlotta: (looks Kitty up and down) Oh my dear, that's something you need never worry about.

For a good laugh, watch the scene here.

The future is now, as machinery (computer technology) has replaced several jobs in the marketplace. Machines, as well as robots, are used on some parts of assembly lines.  And in addition to ATMs, there's electronic banking, electronic billing, and my favorite--electronic shopping!

I remember the days of full-service gas stations.  Later there was the option of full-serve or self-serve.  The full-service option has been out of existence for several years, but something relatively new at the supermarket is the self-checkout machine.

And nowadays, instead of using library staff to help with research, there's the Internet.  Oh, and you can check out your books at the self-checkout machine by the door!  When I stopped working as a librarian 14 years ago to raise a family, talk was that in the near future, you'd be able to read a book on a computer.  I thought that sounded pretty ridiculous, but what did I know?

Electronic books have turned the publishing industry upside down! Today a book can be published in a matter of minutes, and publicity can be generated by social media.

In closing, here's something amazing, with the advent of 3D printing, machines are capable of making machines themselves!

Beautiful Jean

Kitty Packard was right! It looks like machinery is well on its way to taking over every profession, with the exception of the world's oldest.

Have you ever seen Dinner at Eight? Also, how has technology transformed your work environment?

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!

Originally posted March 11, 2013

Inspiration From Siri

Technology is beast!

For a writer, inspiration can strike anywhere, any time. Over the weekend, for example, I got a very strange idea for a short story. Let me take a moment to tell you how it all began.

I'll start by saying that I'm not a huge fan of technology.  I'm still stuck in the 20th Century and learn only what I need to when it comes to laptops and cell phones.

However, my oldest son is somewhat of a techno-geek.  Sometimes I wonder if he's really mine.  Then I remember the labor pains--and the fact that Mr. McKenzie is also a bit of a geek!

For the past few months, my number one son has been saving up for an iPod.  Christmas money, birthday money, allowance, and the salary he earns from a job with his dad (which he's been frequently fired from, and then subsequently rehired) recently enabled him to make his dream purchase.

One of his favorite iPod features is Siri, which according to Apple "is the intelligent personal assistant that helps you get things done just by asking."  In other words, you can ask questions like what's today's weather forecast, where's the nearest gas station, etc., and she answers. Pretty useful technology, right?

So, what do you suppose a fourteen-year-old and a soon to be twelve-year-old would ask Siri...just for fun?  Well, I must say, I've never heard so many giggles.  Here's a sampling of some discussions that transpired over the weekend between the sultry-voiced Siri and my two boys:

The Mysterious Siri

Son:  Siri, do you like chocolate?
Siri:   Surprisingly, I have never tasted chocolate.
Son:  Siri, do you like pizza?
Siri:   I like whatever you like.
Son:  Siri, you suck!
Siri:  I am still here for you.

So here's my story idea:  What would happen if a guy fell in love with Siri? Hey, it's only fiction, and stranger things could happen! What's something a little strange that's sparked your imagination?

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!

The Future is Now!

One of my favorite movies is Dinner at Eight, made way back in 1933. There are many great moments in the film, but one in particular inspired today's post.  And if you're a fan of the movie, you probably know which one!

Marie Dressler & Jean Harlow in Dinner at Eight

In the closing scene, gold-digging Kitty Packard (played by sexy Jean Harlow) talks to matronly Carlotta Vance, a former 1890's Broadway star (played by Marie Dressler):

Kitty:  I was reading a book the other day.

Carlotta: (appears startled) Reading a book?

Kitty: Oh, yes, all about civilization or something; a nutty kind of a book. Do you know that the guy said machinery is going to take the place of every profession?

Carlotta: (looks Kitty up and down) Oh my dear, that's something you need never worry about.

For a good laugh, watch the scene here.

The future is now, as machinery (computer technology) has replaced several jobs in the marketplace. Machines, as well as robots, are used on some parts of assembly lines.  And in addition to ATMs, there's electronic banking, electronic billing, and my favorite--electronic shopping!

I remember the days of full-service gas stations.  Later there was the option of full-serve or self-serve.  The full-service option has been out of existence for several years, but something relatively new at the supermarket is the self-checkout machine.

And nowadays, instead of using library staff to help with research, there's the Internet.  Oh, and you can check out your books at the self-checkout machine by the door!  When I stopped working as a librarian 14 years ago to raise a family, talk was that in the near future, you'd be able to read a book on a computer.  I thought that sounded pretty ridiculous, but what did I know?

Electronic books have turned the publishing industry upside down! Today a book can be published in a matter of minutes, and publicity can be generated by social media.

In closing, here's something amazing, with the advent of 3D printing, machines are capable of making machines themselves!

Beautiful Jean

Kitty Packard was right! It looks like machinery is well on its way to taking over every profession, with the exception of the world's oldest.

Have you ever seen Dinner at Eight? Also, how has technology transformed your work environment?

Thanks for visiting and have a great week!