Day 13: The Future

When I was a kid I remember this Disney ride about the future. Maybe "Horizons" at Epcot? Anyway there was this vignette where a kid was having a birthday party and her relatives were video conferencing with her to wish her a happy birthday. And I was really excited because that was when I knew that the future would have video phone calls.

This memory came back to me today because we are now living in that future. I conferenced called with my colleagues today and there were over a dozen people on the call. Roland also conferenced called into preschool yesterday. Cathy is doing live story times online.

Sometimes it takes a big event to drag society into the future. This virus is a catalyst and it is going to create a systematic change in many areas of our lives. This month millions of Americans will vote online. Millions of students will be educated online. Millions will order groceries online. Also, people are working from home.

When people realize that you don't actually need to commute to work or shop or learn or vote- what happens then? Maybe the future looks a lot like the COVID-19 outbreak. Will the 40-hour work day disappear? Will these stimulus checks sell people on the idea of a Universal Basic Income? Maybe in the future we all just watch TV, play board games, and take our dogs for walks. Would it be so terrible?

Board Games Played Today:
Catan: Legend of the Sea Robbers-
Chapter 4: The Spice Islands

TV Watched Today:
Picard: Season 1 Episode 9: "Et in Arcadia Ego: Part 1"

Picard: Season 1 Episode 10: "Et in Arcadia Ego: Part 2"

The Final Chapter