comment by Blackspeare

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Blackspeare · 4513 days ago · link · · parent · post: Romney and Bain Capital: The Secrecy is Killing Him

Yes, things have certainly changed in campaigns-----don't forget in 1960 there was no Internet.

b_b · 4513 days ago · link ·

No internet but the debates were watchable on TV, which they say helped JFK a lot, given Nixon's profuse and uncontrollable sweating. The 1960 election is an interesting one to think about how the world may have been different if Nixon would have won. Would Cuban Missile have happened? And if so, would it have resulted in nuclear war? What about Vietnam. For all his poor choices, Nixon was a prudent fellow, and its easy to think that he may not have gotten us so involved as JFK/Johnson did. Alternate histories may be meaningless, but they're fun to think about sometimes, in my opinion.

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Blackspeare · 4512 days ago · link ·

I, too like to play the "What if" game. Since the Vietnam build up happened under Eisenhower, I believe Nixon would have continued with it. But perhaps with different results. The whole idea was to divide Vietnam like Korea and establish a long term US presence in Southeast Asia. If that had happened we'd be driving a "Via" instead of a "Kia!" As far as Cuba is concerned, Nixon, perhaps, may have provided more support for the anti-Castro Cubans.

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thenewgreen · 4513 days ago · link ·

Al Gore hadn't invented it yet?

Times really have changed, even since Clinton was elected. It's an amazing time we live in.

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Blackspeare · 4513 days ago · link ·

Enough of Al Gore----if he had carried his home state of Tennessee he woud have been prez! I'm old enough to remember the advent of TV and I went to college with a slide rule and typewriter! My first electronic calculator was the Bomar Brain----you can Google it----it was amazing with it's nixie-pixie tubes! I still have my first computer the Dell NX with a 6 inch B&W screeen----it was a miracle. The Internet still blows my mind as I post this from a MacAir. My question is what will be the next really big technological invention?

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thenewgreen · 4513 days ago · link ·

My question is what will be the next really big technological invention? Great question, I wish I knew the answer. I can tell you that it's not this My guess is that it will be something so intuitive that it will use voice only commands for the most part. Instead of typing this, I'd be speaking it.

One of the things that baffles me about modern technology is that it still (often) requires cables and even plugs for electricity. When we can get to a point where you don't have to plug something in, at all... it will be a much more attractive world.

When my grandkids are someday alive and old enough, my hope is that they live in a much less cluttered world. No electrical wires/towers littering the landscape.

What do you think? What's the next big thing?

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Blackspeare · 4512 days ago · link ·

I like to look at inventions as to their impact on everyday life. First I would list the telegraph as probably he first invention to have overall impact followed by radio and television. In between we had the airplane and automobile. Then we had the electronic calculator and computer, which really did not change things just made things easier and more efficient. Of course the really big thing was the Internet and that changed alot through instant information/communication and you can add the cell phone to that. When I was growing I would read the comics with Dick Tracy with his “wrist-radio” who knew at that time it would come to fruition. Now what is the next big thing on he horizon. Like you say expanded wireless technology, but it won't change life just make it neater. In this regard the wireless transmission of electrical power is being sought. But in my personal opinion I believe the next invention to have impact will be the neutralization of gravity. Einstein's theory says gravity is a wave phenomenon and as such should be able to be counteracted. So just like Dick Tracy's wrist-radio, maybe Buck Rodgers anti-gravity belt is on the horizon!---but please don't bump into me when I'm hovering-you'll send me flying!!!

I haven't mention medical advances because that impact is on a different level.

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thenewgreen · 4512 days ago · link ·

I like the way you think Blackspeare, an anti-gravity belt would be amazing. Along those lines, there are a lot of people working on personal transport devices. -Jet Packs.

I recall seeing one that used water sourced from a hose that dangled down in to a lake. Only problem, you can really only use it on a lake or a body of water. I wouldn't be surprised if personal jet-packs were a reality in the not too distant future. Seems they could be incorporated in to the anti-gravity technology you envision.

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briandmyers · 4512 days ago · link ·

There is a NZ company making jet-packs - except that it's not a jet; and pretty big to be called a "pack". Still, a very cool personal flying device.

http://martinjetpack.com/

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thenewgreen · 4512 days ago · link ·

Very cool. I tried to find out how long they estimate it can fly before refueling but they don't say. They just mention "it will fly at a reasonable speed for a reasonable amount of time".

Their target recreational price is $100,000. Not exactly affordable but also not so insanely priced that you'll never see one. I'll bet someday you'll be able to rent one for $100 a 1/2 hour.

I'd do it.