The Future

Many people have speculations for the future that involve high speed interactions, showing up where you want in a matter of seconds. Well, there are a few who think that's not how things will turn out. People like Alain de Botton believe that not only will we not have a faster way to travel the world, we'll decide to take a slower approach to moving about.

In her article, "A world without planes", she states

In a future world without aeroplanes, children would gather at the feet of old men, and hear extraordinary tales of a mythic time when vast and complicated machines the size of several houses used to take to the skies and fly high over the Himalayas and the Tasman Sea. BBC News, "A world without planes" by Alain de Botton

But is it a likelihood? When people only have a short break to visit somewhere, or have gigs in several different parts of the world, I don't see people completely forgetting about the idea of planes. Now, for those with time on their hands, or maybe someone who takes a few months off of work to do some traveling, I can see a reason for them to decide to take some time to get to where they're going. After all, it's not about the destination, but how you got there.

I suppose as time goes on people will be able to get a job closer to home, or have an easier time moving close enough to their work to be able to take the time and walk the way. Though, this could only be easily achieved if businesses weren't all next to each other, trying to compete for your attention before the other guy.

I guess it's less of a lifestyle change, but more of a market change, to see a change like that. Perhaps someday one business will buy out the rest and there won't be so many advertisements. Let's hope it's not Wal-Mart or McDonald's, they're so meager in good customer service and healthy choices these days.