Let me drag a story I just came across. In one recent day at a busy street of Kolkata, a friend of mine was looking for a taxi. The driver being responsible of his duty asked her to use the mobile app for availing a discount. Having no such app downloaded in her mobile, the driver himself helped her out with the procedures and explained the benefits of such services throughout the 40 minutes long ride. This driver is the owner of three cars which he has lent to such mobile app driven transport network services. Observing the trend, he notified his passenger that perhaps after 3-4 months, no one can manage a cab just by raising and waiving his hand: it’s an app driven society after all.
Hearing this incident, apart from the awed face, I suddenly had a thought stroke. Three years back, I got through a book which predicted an internet-driven society, published long back, 1995.
Internet- it is perhaps the oxygen for today’s generation; its predominance paves a way for an easy availability of information: the information highway.
Well, there was a time when this costly affair of internet was a desire of several concerned people. And today, the existence of one’s individuality is perhaps doubted if he’s not internet friendly.
That book predicted for such television through computer which show casts those shows which have already been on television, anytime one wants. Same goes with the mail-box.
Well, the book had something much more in the box. It forecasted the arrival of internet which facilitates to learn, to shop, to look after our money, and to talk with our family and friends anytime they want.
Now aren’t the cable television and telephone companies fight to get a customer for the things they offer: movies, banking, shopping, etc.?
Well, the internet does it all.
From pocket computers (mobile phones) to talking computer (maybe iPhone Siri) all were the part of that book, including internet pocket wallet. That book predicted that computers will upgrade with smart filters, also called an “agent” which analyses the preferences and choices of the user. The idea of a “document” will change thoroughly. Paper documents or television news, all will have a new aged modification. In fact by sharing information on the internet, anyone can create a document.
Now none of the above sounds extraterrestrial for us, sitting in 2015!
But the curiosity rises, was that book a herald?
Anything bizarre?
Well, no! It was simply a vision driven by passion.
It was in the year 1974, when a nineteen year old boy decided to drop college because of this vision. The vision of a world with each people with access to individual computers and connectivity; the power of information highway.
This boy was Bill Gates. He published that book “The Road Ahead” where he emphasised on the emergence of a digital world. In fact just weeks after the release of the book, he redirected Microsoft to become an Internet-focused company.
Such was the series of ideas, thoughts ,dreams, passion and prediction for today’s world.
Waiting for someone who too has a vision, vision of perhaps 2035.
Is it you?
(Medha is a business enthusiast and keeps an active interest in business communication, digital media, market economics and customer relations. She is a currently pursuing her graduation in business and finance.)
Nice piece.the writing style too is refreshing.:-)