{"id":498,"date":"2009-09-25T13:17:55","date_gmt":"2009-09-25T17:17:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/noelfigart.com\/blog\/?p=498"},"modified":"2009-09-25T13:17:55","modified_gmt":"2009-09-25T17:17:55","slug":"time-travel-and-technology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/noelfigart.com\/wordpress\/2009\/09\/25\/time-travel-and-technology\/","title":{"rendered":"Time Travel and Technology"},"content":{"rendered":"

A story I often tell whether teaching or whatever, is about a time when I couldn’t have been more than five. \u00a0Daddy had taken me onto The Base1<\/sup> to show me where he worked.<\/p>\n

I remember two things very clearly about it. \u00a0He’d written a little program that would print out a punch card with my name on it. \u00a0That really impressed me, as did the banks and banks of machines with reel to reel tapes. \u00a0It looked so cool and futuristic to me even at five.<\/p>\n

But he said <\/em>something that really stuck with me. \u00a0 He was explaining the computers, what they are, how they work (more or less) and commented that when I had children, I’d have a computer I could hold in my hand that would be much more powerful<\/em> than tons and tons of metal sitting in that cold room with the tile floor.<\/p>\n

At the time, I really thought he was pulling my leg.<\/p>\n

Usually, I’m telling this story to my students in computer classes. \u00a0I then pull out my phone (a Palm Centro) and we all share a laugh. \u00a0 I’d mentioned it in passing the other night and the man of the house laughed and asked me if that was why I’d wanted a netbook so badly, and why I’m fascinated with little, powerful bits of technology.<\/p>\n

I expect that’s part of it. \u00a0 But, I’m\u00a0fascinated\u00a0by compact usefulness in general, though. \u00a0I mean, I make Japanese-style bento. \u00a0I can fit my lunchbox in my hand! \u00a0The idea of having a wardrobe that’s\u00a0interchangeable\u00a0enough that I can pack a week’s worth of clothes in a carry-on fills me with glee. \u00a0I have fifty novels on my smartphone that I can read. \u00a0My dream home these days is a Tiny House<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But, yes, it would be fun to go back in time to that twentysomething young man with the little girl and say to her, “Nope, hon. He’s not blowing smoke. \u00a0You are gonna love<\/em> the future of technology.”<\/p>\n

\n

1<\/sup>There’s an R&D naval base on the Potomac where my father has spent a majority if his career.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A story I often tell whether teaching or whatever, is about a time when I couldn’t have been more than five. \u00a0Daddy had taken me onto The Base1 to show me where he worked. I remember two things very clearly about it. \u00a0He’d written a little program that would print out a punch card with … <\/p>\n

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