Been doing some research on the next big crazy thing in technology.  Spent a little time today looking at vids in Big Think.com,  just to find out what the smart kids on the block are projecting for the future.  Was listening to Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal. He was talking about artificial intelligence and the automotive industry, specifically robotic cars.

Boggles the mind. At this point in time, there are robotic cars (cars guided by robots) that can drive 200 miles across the desert. Five years from now, we will see these robots driving on city streets.  In 10 years, you'll be able to buy a robot guided car for city driving. Practical application, there will be an aging population that cannot drive themselves. So the robot will do it.

Think we can sell these things on EBay?

I rented a smart car to go to an out of state business meeting. It was a singular experience, to say the least. Good thing I have exposure to computers. This car anticipated everything. You didn't need an old fashion key either. All you had to do was barely touch things. It was like having a genie. You may already own one of these cars. It was new to me and it took me a while to get used to it. I kept thinking of the horse and buggy generation. Wouldn't those folks just freak out if they could see the smart car,  iPhones, all the smart phones and "always on" streaming data?

I discovered I'm excited about it but also resistant.  All the hype about social and mobile turns me off in a funny way, and I just want to find a place to hide... up in the mountains, with no phone, laptop, radio, or TV. But then I think that could be dangerous. I don't need to broadcast every place I am in, in real time. Oh no, is that a sign of getting old? What is innovation anyway? Just clever folks finding ways to complicate your life?  Is it really making life easier?

For some things, yes, I guess.  I like digital dental impressions and laser surgery, and caller ID.  I like my cell phone for making restaurant reservations on the run.  I love the Internet.  There is much to appreciate. However, it's not getting simpler.

When in the future a repairman comes to the door, will it be a robot? I think so.