The EXEGETIST: A Library Of Independent Political Thought. By: Jack H. Dawsey

The Old Fashion Check.  Great Britain has already laid the groundwork to eliminate checks, including the paycheck by 2018.  The cost for financial institutions to process checks has dictated they eliminate “checks.”  Plastic cards and computer transactions are leading the way to the eventual demise of the old fashion check.

The Newspaper. This generation simply doesn’t read newspapers, period.  Newspapers are going the way of the dinosaur, (except of course for the Sampson Sun.  It’s free).   Besides, you don’t want to miss reading my editorials, ha! Ha!  They are the swizzle that stirs the drink.  If you’re reading on-line newspapers, be prepared to pay for that in the near future.  The rise in mobile Internet devices has caused all the publishers to form an alliance. Together, these cell-phone companies are developing a model to force you to pay for those services.  

The Book. You say you’ll never give up the old fashion book that you hold in your hand, that you’ll always be a reader of books?  Think again.  I said the same thing about buying records, LP’s and CD’s, but I changed my mind.  The same electronic audio processes are happening with books, online.   You can go online and browse a bookstore and even preview a chapter before purchasing.

The Land Line Telephone. With few exceptions, you really don’t need the home telephone anymore. Most families are keeping it because they’ve always had one.  But Land-Line telephone service is very expensive today.  Most, if not all the cell phone companies will let you call customers (with no extra charge against your minute allotment), provided you use the same Provider.

Music. This may be the saddest part of this story.  The music industry, (as we have known it in my generation), is dying.  Put simply, the record labels and the radio conglomerates are self-destructing.  Only @ 30% of the music purchased today in the store is music of a traditional nature, and music from older established artists.  To explore this disturbing topic, check out the book, Appetite for Self-Destruction by Steve Knopper.

Television.  Revenue to the local TV networks is down. Not because of the economy, but because people aren’t watching traditional TV and movies.  They are now watching them from their computers. They’re spending time and playing games, and doing puzzles and other things online.   Prime Network TV shows have degenerated to the lowest common denominator.  People have moved away from local TV to Cable.   And as a result, Cable rates have skyrocketed in monthly price, where commercials air about every 4 minutes. 

Your Private Possessions. Many of the possessions we use to cherish may not be ours anymore.  Why?  Because we’re living in a virtual world.  Today, your computer (or your attorney’s computer) has a hard drive that stores family pictures, music, movies, and private, personal documents. Your computer software and Operating System is constructed with the latest “state of the art” Internet Providers.  It means that when you “turn on” your computer, the NET controls (or will control) your computer.  Your Operating System with Windows, or Google or others are linked to the NET.  When you “click” an icon, it opens cyber space and if you store a document, it will be IN CYBERSPACE.  Soon, you will likely be assessed a monthly fee for that service too.  The good news is that you can access your possessions from any laptop or handheld device.  But will you actually own your stuff?  I think not.

Finally, there is the subject of
Privacy.  If there ever was a time our privacy is threatened, it is now. There are cameras everywhere.  They are on the street, in your cars, and in most buildings.  Your computer and cell-phones has a camera.  When you buy something of value, your shopping habit is profiled, and the subsequent advertising ads are changed to reflect your buying habits.   All we will have remaining, that can’t be changed or co-opt , are our memories

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