In my day, there were so many ways that we could actually improve on our style of living. Coming up with a Franklin stove that warms a room more efficiently, or a mechanical “grabber” that picks up books from high shelves, or bifocals that improve vision, was relatively easy. There were so many opportunities to invent new things!
Today, on the other hand, it seems that all the good ideas have already been taken. The poor inventors of this age have to think long and hard to conceive of a totally original device or service, especially when there are already so many outstanding ones being sold in the marketplace.
To be honest, I'm having the time of my life discovering them all. Like a child in a candy shop, I wish I could buy every single one of them and take them home.
Alas, the meager amount of pocket change I brought with me from Philadelphia when I was so abruptly transported here to the future is barely enough to keep me clothed and fed, let alone supplied with the latest marvels of science.
So, what kind of inventions might be possible in this marvelous new age? How can our civilization—or our everyday lives—be improved upon, at a reasonable cost that is affordable by the general populace?
Computers and clouds
Some have said that computers have been one of the greatest advances in the last 20 years. Yet, apparently, the inventing of this product continues on a daily basis. Every time one looks around, there's another new upgrade, or another version that has to be installed to replace the obsolete one.
But from what I'm told, perhaps the next new direction for computers is having everything come from “the cloud.” (It's interesting, isn't it, that my work with electricity all came about as the result of a lightning bolt from “the cloud”!)
If there aren't going to be any “programs” (as you call them) that reside on the actual computer device any longer, why have a physical machine at all? An ingenious inventor could develop a “computing cloud” that surrounds oneself, wherever you go. So, as you enter a room, and have a question that has been puzzling you, all you would have to do is to simply speak it, and the “cloud” answers....without any screens, or keyboards, or wires!
Now, that's a miracle to behold! If I knew anything at all about these astounding computer devices, I'd be tempted to get right to work myself and turn this new concept into a working model. I suppose a 307-year-old man could still learn some new tricks...
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin