I’ve Seen The Future

If you would like to see how we will be running our lives via computer in a wireless word, take a look at this: g.ho.st

It’s a virtual desktop, and in the not so distant future I’m pretty sure everyone will be using one of these things.

And do you know what? I like it, I like it a lot. And it is free.

Sign in as a guest and have play.

More about g.ho.st another time. Spooky, it is, seeing the future.

Evolution – Paolo Sarpi – Milan’s Chinese Quarter

Back in May 2005, I wrote this post about the silent invasion by Chinese businesses of the area of Milan which is on my doorstep. Well, I have to say that things have changed, or rather evolved, quite considerably since I last wrote about this subject.

There are still quite a number of shops selling cheap clothes to those who run markets, but there are now quite a few other types of shop, and many of them are starting to take on the appearance of typical Italian shops.

For example, there are now at least four shops selling computer hardware and electronic goods such as Mp3 players and the like. And, in addition to odd Chinese brands, many of the products stocked in these shops are familiar names such as Acer, Sony, and LG, amongst others.

Next, we have the mobile phone stores, again, offhand I can think of at least four of them, including one newly opened shop.

However, the most interesting thing is the transformation which is starting to take place of the formerly cheap wholesale clothing outlets into smarter, more up market boutique type shops. OK, I can only think of one or two at the moment, but I’m pretty sure that this trend will continue.

Along with the clothing stores, there are now a number of reasonably good quality Chinese run jewellers selling well known brands. Yes, they could be copies, but I’m not so sure. Indeed, there is no reason why they should be really, seeing as it is probable that some of the more well known brands most probably sub-contract their production to Chinese producers.

There is also a perfume shop, which looks very Italian in style.

And the ever industrious Chinese are not doing too badly as a result of the evolutionary expansion, as I see plenty of youngish Chinese cruising around in very expensive cars.

There is a bustling Chinese community here, and it looks as though it will become stronger and stronger.

I was half expecting this transformation to take place, so it is very interesting to see it happening before my eyes.

Oh, and it is not just Chinese faces you see in these recently transformed shops, you may like to know.

It will be interesting indeed to see how things differ in another three years time, and if I’m still running this blog, and I plan to be, I’ll write another little update.

The Typical 21st Century Work Day – possibly….

While I could be wrong, I suspect that the average workday for many, especially those working with technology, may now go something like this:

09:00ish Arrive at work.

09:05ish Have a coffee/tea etc

09:10ish Switch on computer

09:15ish Check and reply to work related email

10:00 am Log in to Facebook.

01:00 pm Log out of Facebook and go to lunch.

02:00 pm Return from lunch and go for a coffee/tea with your colleagues.

02:30 pm Login to Flickr – upload a few photos you took while at lunxh, comment on some other photos, reply to comments on your own photos.

03:30 pm Log out of Flickr and go for a coffee/tea with colleagues.

04:00 pm Return to desk. Check email and reply, but only if really necessary.

04:15 pm Log in to personal blog and write a post about the heavy day you are having at work.

04:45 pm Log out of blog and into Facebook to kiss, punch, message, and play games with your ‘friends’.

05:30 pm Log out of Facebook and into bank account to pay that electricity bill that you should have set up a direct debit for years ago.

05:50 pm Log out of bank and check Hotmail, Yahoo, and Gmail accounts. Reply to emails and comments left on your blog. Log into Google Analytics and Adsense.

07:00 pm Log off Google Analytics and Adsense.  Switch off your computer and go home.

Of course, throughout the day you will have been answering the phone and thinking about the job someone employed you to do!

It’s a virtual world.

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