Comments on: Trivialities and Transcendence

By: Lex

Lex — Fri, 09 Jul 2004 20:51:11 +0000

I learned to type on a Selectric. The move to word processing was more of a quantum leap — but I agree with your basic point. Someone had a post a while ago about the spectacular increases in productivity in the 19th century with the introduction of first-generation office supplies, like hanging files in drawers, file-card indexes, cheap paper, cheap ink, etc. Ultra-mundane stuff to our way of thinking, but it was, cumulatively, a transformation of the way businesses operated, and just as much as the railroad and the telegraph, made large businesses possible.

By: Ginny

Ginny — Fri, 09 Jul 2004 05:19:53 +0000

All of you are younger and this may not seem so miraculous but I remember working at Kelly Girls as an undergraduate typing 5 carbons of some guy’s dissertation; the joy of electric typewriters (my husband’s dissertation); then the miracle of self-correcting IBMs and xeroxing (my dissertation)and then computers and laser printers and spell check (by which time I was running my own typing service). Sure, this is mundane and didn’t save the world – each step did, however, save time, energy, ulcers, eyes, and probably (well the stats probably won’t bear this out) marriages and friendships.

By: ArtD0dger

ArtD0dger — Fri, 09 Jul 2004 04:52:36 +0000

I’m pretty sure that great epic improvements are better than boring incremental ones.

The problem is that most people committed to only epic improvements make none at all.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 09 Jul 2004 00:49:05 +0000

Ever hear the saying “God (or the devil) is in the details”? All those mundane yet hughly important details.

By: Pouncer

Pouncer — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 19:36:18 +0000

Jonathan: “benefits to be gained via improved productivity in primary education”

Uhm… Nuturing the next generation? Raising a bunch of heroic/civics?

So.

Homeschool!

Mass-customization in which every kid to taught a curriculum specific to that kid’s particular needs…

It’ll be different, somehow, when the current bunch comes to maturity.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 12:10:44 +0000

Consider also the enormous aggregate benefits to be gained via improved productivity in primary education. That seems like one of our biggest social leverage points.

By: Sandy P

Sandy P — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 03:22:35 +0000

Only by age, not by thought. Tail-endedest.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 02:45:56 +0000

Uhh Sandy? Born 1960 or before? Isn’t that the time of the boomers? That would make you a $&%$*&%$ BOOMER!

By: Sandy P

Sandy P — Thu, 08 Jul 2004 01:51:47 +0000

Oh, goody, 2025 or thereabouts, when I’m due to get SS.

$&%$*&%$ BOOMERS!