Sometimes it doesn't all add up

[gurdonark]

I remember the first four function calculators. They cost something like 300 dollars, because they could add, subtract, divide and multiply. The first digital watches were also north of one hundred fifty dollars. Now both are available at the check out line of the dollar store. Both cost more to package than they do to make.

The first cable television services delivered essentially the basic channels plus one channel or two, depending on locale. My first version of Compuserve software, version 1.2 I believe, offered bare bones graphics, and connected at 1200 bauds. The first video game for home use had basically one game, Pong. My Commodore 64 was named a Commodore 64 because it had 64K of memory.

Today, every time I turn on the news, we're debating unilateral entry into a war against an admittedly despotic, ridiculous regime. Some of our allies are also despotic ridiculous regimes, which happen not to be at odds with us. My own middle course solution is that the UN handle this problem, including through force if need be, and not to utilize a unilateral American/UK force. But regardless of how this all comes out, I wish we had one micronth as much ability to solve social problems in our world as we have the ability to improve consumer electronics. If diplomacy could be solved by engineers, we'd live in a world of milk and honey.

Comments

[marstokyo.livejournal.com]

If diplomacy could be solved by engineers, we'd live in a world of milk and honey.

But it would cost us an arm and a leg every day to upgrade.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

Yes, and peace might be buggy as heck, but it would still be peace.

[amatrixangel.livejournal.com]

If diplomacy could be solved by engineers

We would be living in a square.

[theodicy.livejournal.com]

You said it.

*nods, sighs*

It was a bad idea the first time.

[mesawyou.livejournal.com]

yeah like Unilateral action by the US doesn't make us sound like the great Satan who has an agenda. no no Not at all.

I'm not sure why Saddam is more dangerous NOW than he has been in the last 12 years. I don't understand that part of it at all.

[amatrixangel.livejournal.com]

I like the old idea of putting the two leaders in a boxing ring and letting them sort it out instead of using and blowing up everyone else.

[gregwest98.livejournal.com]

I keep wondering the same things. If we have declared war on terrorism specifically as far as Afghanistan is concerned, then what has Iraq got to do with that?

And since Iraq is still the same entity it has been for many years, why the sudden urgency to deal with it?

I just don't get it.

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

I wish we had one micronth as much ability to solve social problems in our world as we have the ability to improve consumer electronics.

Too too true.