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I Didn’t See It Coming

Oct 03, 2014
by Caroline Miller
bellhops, pickpockets, prositutes, Technology
2 Comments

From time to time, I’ve speculated about how changes in technology will affect the future. (Blogs 7/25 & 2/14/14)  Some consequences I hadn’t foreseen, however, until The Week brought them to my attention. (8/29/14)  Let’s think about prostitution for a moment.  Even the oldest profession in the world has succumbed to the newest technology.   No more prowling shadowy streets for ladies of the evening.  They have websites to advertise their wares, making it more convenient for a Jane to catch a John.  But so  many URLs have increased the competition that fees for service have dropped on average from $340 per hour to $260. (Ibid pg. 16.) 

 Pickpockets are reeling from the impact as well.  So many people are switching from cash to credit cards that knowing how to pick a pocket isn’t enough.  A new skill is required: knowing how to fence plastic.  As one lifetime professional complained, “I’m too old for this.” (Ibid. pg. 8.)

 Bellhops may be the next professionals to feel the sting of Silicon Valley.  The latest robots have been programmed to maneuver elevators, recharge themselves and can travel fast enough to deliver room service  in about 3 minutes, depending on the size of the hotel.  The good news for the guest is that these electronic bellhops don’t require tips  — though if  the “tip” button is hit, the machine performs a short dance  — something I’ve never seen a human bellhop do. (Ibid pg. 18) 

 The impact of technology on our lives is pervasive, and, like the prostitutes, pickpockets and bellhops, I’m not entirely happy with its progress.  Yesterday, a man at the grocery store paid for his peach with a credit card.  The transaction took 4 minutes.  Paying with cash would have had him out of the door in 1.  If time is money, he might have saved enough to buy a second peach.

woman feeding man a peach

Courtesy of www.dreamstime.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2 Comments
  1. S. L. Stoner October 4, 2014 at 10:57 am Reply
    I watched a little 4-year hold nimbly thumbing her IPad the other day and wondered what technology she was going to find challenging when she reached the age of 60.
    • Caroline Miller October 4, 2014 at 11:17 am Reply
      I doubt it will have an IPad. Having peeked into the future, it looks both exciting and scary.

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Contact Caroline at

carolinemiller11@yahoo.com

Portland, Oregon author Caroline Miller had distinguished careers as an educator, union president, elected official and artist/advocate.

Her play, Woman on the Scarlet Beast, was performed at the Post5 Theatre, Portland, OR, January/February 2015

Caroline published a serialized novelette, Marie Eau-Claire, on the website, The Colored Lens.  She also published the story Gustav Pavel,  a parable about ordinary lives, choice and alternate potential, on the website Fixional.co.

Caroline has published four novels

  • Ballet Noir
  • Trompe l’Oeil
  • Gothic Spring
  • Heart Land

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