Dorrk Dot Com

So Bill Gates says that we are about 5 years away from having the TV and the internet merge. Good, because I have access to very few movies or tv shows. I particularly want the ability to see obscure documentaries or to watch any sporting event I want. I would love to see the end of cable TV with its limitations and I definitely want a solution to our problem of not being able to watch videos unless they are crappy bootlegs.

Here’s some questions for you about the coming revolution?

1) How long will it be before everyone has (and uses) computers that allows you to see the people you are talking to in real time and not in a herky-jerky fashion. I know that some people have cameras on their computer and are talking to each other now…but I’m wondering if it will ever get to a point where it will look smooth and be a given. (The reason I ask is because it would really be something for us living overseas to be able to–for instance–have our son have conversations with your children so that they can stay in each other’s memory. Or he could carry on a real conversation with his grandpa. Or if a family member was in a hospital, all you would need is a computer and/or a phone in order to be there at least a little.)

2) Does the fact that our computers and video are going to merge mean that places like HMV will be finished in 5 years. We’ll no longer go to the video store (certainly not record store) ever. Going to the record store was the highlight of my average teenage week. It’s weird that that stuff is just gone.

3) I guess they now have cell phones in which you can see the person you are talking to. How long before all of our cheap cell phones have this ability and will we be able to go anywhere and show people where we are. (If you are on vacation at the Grand canyon, will you be able to easily call your mother and pan around with your cell phone sharing the view? I’d love to be able to go on business trips and get a phone call from my child and be able to see him.)

We’ve had the technology to have video phones for 30 years or something…but in the past, people didn’t want them. They didn’t want to be seen. What’s different now that we will want them? Will the traditional phone (with no visuals) be a thing of the past?

Just wondering. Being separated by a great distance from family and friends, I’m just wondering if we are only 5 or 10 years away from feeling like all family and friends are right there anytime. Now of course this doesn’t change the fact that I can’t stand any of you and am glad I don’t talk to you more often. And seriously, what about telemarketers or that annoying aunt that you don’t want to see or hear from but calls all the time?

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