Titanium Dioxide – interesting stuff. Google tio2 and get a glimpse of what photovoltaic technology might be morphing into.
I am spending a quiet Sunday thinking about this as I was shown some interesting technology last week which is making me mull over some of the ‘indispensable’ things in our lives today. I see from my email that more people I already know write to me through Facebook than direct to my email address – more – the majority of these people are emailing me from their iphone or blackberry.
I have a problem with phones, I find it difficult, often impossible, to use one. I am happy to meet anyone any time anywhere – I have met and spoken to Princes, Dukes, gangsters and muggers – I have even argued with bank managers in their marble pleasure domes and enjoyed the experience – but, I cannot talk to people on the phone.
I liked my iphone as it could do most stuff without me actually having to speak to someone. Texting should be the answer, but I like the clunk and speed of a keyboard (as long as it is an Apple one) – I know I am a tiny minority (read stupid) there must be a word for phone phobia – just looked it up, it is called phone-phobia or telephobia, about 20,000 googlies) – so the melting together of technologies is great for me.
What I saw is a pocket sized solar powered Uninterrupted Power Supply – this would energise a phone, laptop, kindle etc – although small, it has lithium batteries, so is not feather-weight. What i am sure is eveloving is just one product – basically a phone, with keyboard (laser projection perhaps) – all my applications and storage in a “cloud” – a screen which emulates a book, like the Kindle and a detachable cover which acts as a solar panel/collector/back up battery.
I doubt I will like speaking on phones though.
Hi Tony,
Glad to have you back! Just returned from a couple weeks in Normandy, always wanted to see where my Dad landed, on Utah Beach, but my limited experience with the French people tells me I would never want to do business with them. I thought I was the only one with a phone phobia. I absolutely dread making phone calls, no matter to whom: friends, family, whatever. No real explanation, once I make the call I’m fine, but my talk limit is certainly no more than 20 minutes, and I start getting antsy and have to sign off. Three phone calls in a row and I’m a wreck. But getting up the “gumption” to make that call in the first place is like pulling teeth. Definitely a disadvantage when you’re in business for yourself!
Best of Luck,
Bob the builder
Hi Bob
Seems a lot of people have a morbid dread of speaking on the phone – I get bad vibes just hearing the dratted instrument sound (I would say ring but they don’t do that anymore) – I am impressed you can talk for 20 minutes once you have ‘jumped in’ – on my mobile I have 10 minutes a month free and have never used that much – so for a couple of years my mobile has been totally free (I don’t actually know the number so this is a problem).
My husband jokes that I must have been beaten with a telephone when I was small… I too suffer the “phone phobia”… I love to meet people face to face, love to send emails, love to write actual, real ink on paper letters… but that phone is just a real problem… I would rather drive to a place of business and speak to them in person than try and get them on the phone — and mobile phones make it worse — the drop outs and drop offs just magnify the annoyance and angst.
I know I don’t communicate as well via the phone either — something happens with my speaking ability… does that happen to anyone else?
Well, as they say — good to know you’re not alone!
Ringing off now…
RCS
Hi Tony, I absolutely understand the physical illness. I love meeting people in-person, and once a phone conversation is underway I’m ok, but actually making the call is sometimes impossible. I sometimes think it’s because I can’t see the context I’m getting into — I can see a group of people and judge whether I should interrupt, but a phone just coldly barges in and gives me no clues to appropriately address the person I’m calling, leaving me in complete uncertainty until the conversation is underway. Not sure if that makes it less rational! -G
Tony_ I know just how you feel. I was on the emergency call for eye doctors for 40 years and now I wont answer the phone unless someone gives the secret ring. I love the internet and will write every day on it, but no more phones, either calling or answering. Glad I have found someone who is the same. The ones from Oklahoma Jim and Nancy Mills
Oh yes, ditto on the phone phobia (same with my Mum). No particular reason. Just hate it. Have to make pots of calls for work so I just pick the damned thing up and do a Nike, rather than meditate on how much I don’t want to. But having to ring friends or make non work-related phone calls, I would rather vacuum the house (my other seriously despised chore) than do that. And like everyone else, I love writing missives in any format. Now THAT’S a joy
Denise