The world seems to have become closer in the past 20 years. my parents emigrated to Canada 40 years ago, growing up we didn’t have much contact with the family. Christmas cards and the rare phone call. not everyone had a phone here in the UK, whereas in Canada everyone I knew had one.
Once when we didn’t receive a card from a relative we told them the pony express had been hijacked. They were not sure how we lived in the wilds of Calgary. By the time I move over here the internet was starting and email was available for anyone. I didn’t have to call home, a quick email would work.
Then came other internet communications, instant messaging, voice calls, video calls. The weekly video call with skype makes you feel close. The only thing that makes you realise the world is a large place is time.
I have a webex with New York, have to think about the logistics of when we are both available. When I email, they acne reply any time. This morning I emailed so it is there when they get into the office, they send me emails after I’ve eaten dinner. The webex is different. We have a few overlapping hours before it is cutting into my evening.
New York to London is not that bad, it makes you think about the logistics of web conferences with people further afield. Japan and London must be hard, stay up late or get up early?
It makes you think where we are going to be in 10 years. Will most people work in offices, or use an avatar? Will video conferences create a virtual meeting room where our video will project to a position, or use the avatars with voice only.
What an adventure.
