There probably will be no hard copies of anything, as you say, in 100 years or less. I won't be around. And people became books way back when there were none. People were the storytellers. In fact, some still are as I know I heard many a story from my aunts, grandmas, etc. At least that's how I see it.

Why won't you be around? I definitely plan to be around. I just watched a special on CNN with Morgan Spurlock. This show delved into ALL things longevity. I had already known about Telomeres, etc, but when they explained how they CREATED DNA in a lab and all about the As Gs Cs Ts, well, this just about blew me away. They can create life?? I'm reading about Stem Cell Therapy, and the future looks pretty great technology speaking.

I don't smoke, I don't drink and I try and eat sensibly. I try and reduce stress, but from what I read, it all comes down to the genetic codes in our bodies. Do you know that all the Amish people are related? It's called the Founder Effect. They are all decended from 18th century Amish who came over and continued their culture. But because they only marry other Amish, they all have similar codes and markers and they are the ONLY people with their own rare genetic disorder, which is called Maple Syrup Urine disorder. I kid you not. The kids who are born with this can't metabolize protein. It's poison to them. And it's all because they carry recessive genes. Fascinating stuff these genetics.

Who knows when the end will come? But I don't plan on making it easy.

lol

Melody

Just give me paper books. I won't be around in 100 years or less - no way no how.

lol

Mel

Not exactly... It won't come to people memorizing books. Books aren't being outlawed/forbidden; we're just going through a change in mediums, like film to video, silver nitrate to digital, theaters to television, precious metals to paper (money) to plastic/electronic... (wagon wheels to pneumatic tires? ) And like those, the older forms (books) will still be around—just not in as great numbers, and more expensive.

Doc

Hi again to you all.

Have you ever heard of this kind of instrument. It's called a Theremin. I have never been so impressed by anything in my life. It takes a special kind of person to learn how to play this thing. It's all by frequency. No keys, no touching anything. I mean I used to be impressed by people playing songs with bottles filled with water which changed the pitch. Well get a load of this thing.

Give it a second, then he really gets going

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6KbEnGnymk

Fans of '50s science fiction movies are very familiar with the Theremin (though it dates back decades earlier), whether they know it or not.

Rocketship X-M (1950)
The Thing From Another World (1951)
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
It Came From Outer Space (1953)

..And later...
Ed Wood (1994)

It was one of the first electronic instruments, and inspired later inventors like Robert Moog. The Beach Boys used one in their classic hit, "Good Vibrations". Vintage models like the one in the video are highly sought/prized. We built one in my HS AP Physics class.

Here's another video of the inventor—Leon Theremin—playing one himself.
Leon Theremin playing his own instrument

Theremin

Theremin World

Another early electronic instrument—designed to be played over the telephone—the Telharmonium.
Magic Music From The Telharmonium Documentary

Doc

I LOVE this stuff. I'm going to go and check out The Telharmonium, then I'm going to watch Leon play his own instrument ROFL.!!!!

Oh, before I go and watch the Telharmonium thing, I have to share a VERY funny story (because we are talking techno stuff here) that happened to me last week.

Just fyi, I am completely computer literate for over 30 years, I also have a cell phone and a Kindle Fire.

I was walking around my neighborhood and I stopped in front of a local Verizon store. There was this BIG sign outside and it read

"Add a tablet for $10.00 a month"

I had absolutely no idea what this meant.

I walked into the store, pointed to the sign outside and politely asked the CHILD who was working behind the counter and I said "What do you mean "Add a tablet for $10.00 a month?"

He looked at me, his eyes got big and wide and he said in a very slow voice:

"oh, a tablet is a rectangular device and you touch it with your fingers and people go on the internet with it" "Do you know what the internet is"?

Well!!!!!

I looked at him and said

"Fool, do I look stupid, I just wanted to know why anyone would pay to add a tablet to their plan" I then whipped out my Kindle Fire and you should have seen the expression on that 19 year old's face.

rofl.

Melody

Getting a little off topic aren't we. At least some of the posts were I thought. Maybe start another thread.