"Dad the Internet is the greatest invention since the printing press," my daughter Courtney has stated. Since she is a PhD candidate in English, I do value her assessment of the hierarchy of inventions; I will agree with her on this one.
As with any invention there comes with it many nuances; some can be rather annoying. For example, you go to your online banking web site, logging in, you get a "pop up" window that takes up the entire screen of your computer; pitching their automatic bill pay option. The window has two choices: "Sign Up For Auto Bill Pay" and "Remind Me Later." I do not want to sign up for auto bill pay and I sure the heck don't care to be reminded again; I just want to check to see if I have any money left in my checking account! This is like the car salesman, "would you be proud to drive home the new metallic silver Accord or the mint green?" I would be much prouder if you would give me the keys back to my eleven year old Jeep so I can get the hell out of here! What happens with these "assumptive closing" techniques is you really feel you only have the two choices. Should you be the type of individual who doesn't like conflict, lacks self confidence, or just can't say "no" to anything, you may well be on your way to using Auto Bill Pay to pay for you new Mint Green Honda Accord!
The world at your finger tips: Having dinner at your favorite restaurant, dining with friends, with every one's Smart Phone at the ready, any needed information may be called up in seconds. "Hey remember that movie with Steve McQueen, Cool Hand Luke, where the prison warden kept saying to Steve McQueen every time he was caught escaping, 'what we have here is a failure to communicate?'" I offered this up as an expert movie critic/aficionado. "Ah Dennis, that was Paul Newman, not Steve McQueen," one of my buddies countered. The remainder of those at the table where either nodding yes or no. Whoooosh! It was like a gun fight in an old western movie, everyone did a quick draw on their iPhones, Blackberries, Androids; purses opening, hands reaching deep into pockets--it was breath taking! Who has the fastest hands, the best search engine, 3G or 4G, WiFi Hot Spot; who will relish in the glory of finding out first? There is a lot of ego on the line here. First or all, am I right or wrong, who is the most savvy on their device and what brand of phone and service provider will be the victor? "Paul Newman? Are you serious?" Was my response to one fellow that obviously had booked marked a movie information web site; just to pounce on an opportunity like this Shot down like a dirty dog! Out done and out witted, I hung my head in shame and disbelief. I however slept very well that night knowing that it was Paul Newman.
The Internet, truly one of the greatest inventions of all times. How much has your life changed in the last five--ten years? I don't know, remind me later!
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