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Michael T. Sullivan's avatar

Terry,

I'd take the island scenario. It's something many in my age group thought about while growing up. It was part of the culture back in the day, maybe like Gulliver's travels or Gilligan's Island. But there would be no war or killings on the island. I'd get use to not having contact with the world outside. I'd need to take my dog. Further, it would require one of the following ladies to be on the island with us: Teri Garr, Natalie Wood, Jan Smithers, Donna Reed or Audrey Hepburn. One is enough. If I needed to choose between my dog, Ryker, or one of these fine ladies, I'd choose the dog. I'd create a nice living space just like I'm doing now. I'd get along with the neighbors or just stay out of their way. It would be healthy.

As for the other movie, where you get what you want whenever you want it, not for me. No happiness in that, just pleasure. No contentment in always wanting more. Even when I was younger I'd eventually feel this way but I'd want to try the everything-all-the time gig. I'd come to my senses. Everything in moderation, well, maybe not everything.

I don't have a personal relationship with my android phone. An island without internet and say, Teri Garr and Ryker is living the dream. I'd go out a happy man, even more so if I had the responsibility of caring for Ms. Garr or anyone else in their last illness.

Maybe we should replace the the whole legal system with AI? Judges, jurors, clerks, attorneys and bailiffs, make them all computers. The programmers have the real power. Maybe even the litigants could be AI. Then the human ones wouldn't have to go trial. They could watch it on cable. Good Night Mr. Mintner!

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Matt Maldre's avatar

Right before reading your article, I was thinking about starting a project I call "Social Media Snail Mail," where instead of replying online, I take a screenshot of the post with the empty comment box. I print the screenshot and write my responses by hand into comment box, and and mail the paper.

It was quite serendipitous to then come across your reflections on technology and its impact on our lives. Your discussion about the balance between digital convenience and the charm of simpler times really struck a chord with me. It seems we're both contemplating how to foster genuine connections in a world dominated by screens. My project is a small step towards blending the old with the new, aiming to personalize the digital interactions that have become so impersonal. Reading your article right after having these thoughts felt like a sign that maybe it's time to explore this idea further.

Yes, I feel a bit of irony now as I type online instead of handwriting my response.

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