The computer was our toy. We grew up with it. And when we grew up, we brought our toy with us. Now the computer is in our homes and in our offices. It has changed our lives and it is changing them again, because now the computers are coming together to make a new system. In this system, computers all over the world are beginning to work together. Our computers will be our telephones, our post office, our library, and our banks.
What do you think about his prophetic words? Comment here.
20 comments:
Gates' words are prophetic, but computers cannot replace everything. The goods ordered online still have to be physically delivered. An email can never fully replace an actual card or letter with a friend or relative's personal handwriting, choice of stamps and -- occasionally -- even their scent. Reading off an electronic screen is possible -- even valuable, in a pinch -- but not nearly as pleasurable as holding the actual book, magazine or catalog in one's hands. And locating items in an electronic magazine or catalog requires knowing -- in advance -- what you are searching for. Compare that with simply turning a page to discover a serendipitous surprise. Computers are great, but they are not everything.
I totally agree .Computers aren't everything.I would much rather get a letter or card in the mail.
In addition to comments made above, the assumption is being made EVERYONE in the US owns or has access to a computer and online service. This is simply not true.
Customers also forget who delivered their credit cards to purchase their merchandise.
The printed word is always more powerful than any VIRTUAL reality that can be destroyed electronically. There will always be a need by some professions for hard copy....such as the medical field and so on....
My medical office is putting all their records on disc to eliminate the paper.
I think Mr. Gates could go to Washington and bailout the USPS ;)
Bill Gates is Satan.
The USPS doesn't need a bailout - if congress passes 1351 the USPS can use the money we've earned to run the Service. Please remember that we are NOT a for-profit operation.
Mr Gates also didn't mention that computers and the internet are not as secure as a letter, (as the recent loss of Medical records in a laptop showed). And he didn't mention that computers only work for you if you can pay for them, (and internet access).
Bill Gates' words are not prophetic. Very few people I know use the computer as their phone; how many people sent their mother an e-card for Mother's day or "Certified" an important document needing a signature through the computer; how many computers read to young children during Library Hour; how many students take their computer with them on the school bus to read a book; How many banks call you to transact business - don't they correspond through the mail?
How about this for prophetic words: All the negative talk about USPS going broke, closing Post Offices, and needing a bailout will turn customers away and they will find other carriers to transact business with, even if it costs them more.
I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I do think it's incredibly foolish to rely entirely on technology for all one's banking, communications, etc. Aside from the sentimental reasons that real mail is more meaningful than an email, it's also more secure. If anything drastic ever happens to the satellites that carry the signals to all the electronic devices, the mail will still be able to go through. Plus, I've never heard of anyone's PO Box ever being hacked!!
some relatives of mine were going on a trip the end of August and stopped by their bank for some cash. They do not use credit cards. The bank's computers were down and they could not get any even tho their previous statement (through the mail) showed they had lots of money in their account. Try to live on the computer if it "goes down'!
Computers are a nice thing but it can't replace the personal letter or bring a package of goodies from home. Everything has a place in the universe and the mail has a very important place. Too bad more people don't realize what a great thing they have. (what else do you get for 44 cents that can bring so much personal joy?)
Mr. Gates is a very intelligent man and he is correct in the fact that many people, companies, businesses, government entities and others rely on computers. But maybe they rely on them to much, they are only good when they work. We have 28% of our country who still does not have internet access, let alone a computer and many could not afford the computer or the fee to gain access to the internet even if it were available. Also let's not forget those who do not live with electricity, phones or other devices such as these. In many parts of the country there are large Amish, Mennonite and other communities who would not use computers or phones.
No matter how technologically advanced our country becomes there will always be a need for brick and mortar post offices in the rural communities.
and when the computer is hacked into or goes down---way many more problems to contend with--for all in many different capacities and modes.
Mr. Gates did not prophecy that he can eradicate or even reduce poverty in the world even though with his money he could have done that. He also did not prophecy computers in our pockets otherwise he would have come with mobile windows 8 with sufficient security which is still not there on mobiles and before apple come up with iphones,ipads and Amazon with their tablets and e-readers neither he prophecy about Cloud Computing and Databases on cloud and there are so many things he could not prophecy and could get done but I agree he is successful and rich. There are always things that are in hype cycle and without proper study like Gartner and Forrester Research and data prophecy does not mean any thing.
You can never put a price on the human interaction of reading a letter sent to you from a loved one. The face to face interaction with a clerk at a store, post office or bank is priceless, educational and uplifting. Unfortunately, at 58 years old my generation may be the last generation to see the value in these things. Mr Gates view of the world seems cold, isolated and lonely. However, this may be the new reality of the new emerging generations. Compassion from a HD monitor, understanding via wi-fi and empathy from a droid...this progress?
Sounds like BIG BROTHER !!
I just read an article regarding the "self serve" checkout lines in some retail stores being phased out after almost a decade of trying to get people to use them. Guess what? People prefer people ringing their purchases up, answering their questions, accepting their coupons, etc. The same goes for rural Post Offices - people prefer knowledgeable, helpful Postmasters and Clerks to kiosks and minimum wage workers who don't know (and don't care) about USPS products and services.
I agree with the comment above. I prefer interaction with a person when I conduct business. The tellers at my bank have been trained to let me know about free internet banking every time I utilize their services. I always respond - "I like to help you keep your job!"
No thankyou Mr. Gates, I prefer to stay human.
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