Is Technology Reaching A Turning Point?

Growing up in the late 70's & 80's I was the generation to really experience the first Walkman, watch phones go mobile, and realize the personal computer. Our kids now live in a world where contstant conectivity is the norm. One thing that made the PC as common as a TV in todays homes, was the advent of the computer mouse, introduced by Apple on the Macintosh home computer. Now the mouse is soon to become extinct, and again Apple is leading the way. If you have not yet experienced the iPhone or the iPod Touch, you need to give it a test drive. Multi-Touch is going to fast become the way everyone will prefer to interact with machines, weather your home PC or your home entertainment system. Gone soon will be remotes controls, PC mice, and even buttons on your cell phone. The amazing thing is that the manufacturers for the first time I think I can recall, are well behind on delivering this technology to us. Typically as soon as a new idea could be delivered to market, somone was figuring out how to do so. Currently, all the buzz is about WHEN will multi-touch be available, not IF. So behind, and so delayed is the release of this new technology, home brewed do-it-youself systems are already being published online. The last time I can recall this grass roots desire to go-it alone was when satalite TV was born, and people began building home made dish systems. Public domain software is readily published and I have stumbled upon at least two step-by-step instructions on build your own, multi-touch interface systems. [HERE & HERE] Why this has not yet become a consumer ready product today I can't understand. Until it is, I am holding off on buying a new computer. I would suggest you do the same. Your mouse and standard display will be obsolete by 2009, mark my words. [VIDEO RESULTS HERE]

Flooding in Chehalis, WA

This eerie image was on the front page of today's Oregonian. About center is Washington Home Center, my biggest customer for the homes we build. They suffered flood damage to at least 7 display homes. One of our customer service techs also lost his home.

Paradox Of Our Age

Originally by Dr. Bob Moorehead (Pastor)

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

The real paradox is that as true as these statements appear, they are unfortunatly written by a church pastor who inevitably had to resign due to allegations of sexual assault by church members.
See Snopes for the full scoop.