Experts Knew a Pandemic Was Coming. Here’s What They’re Worried About Next.

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/05/07/experts-knew-pandemic-was-coming-what-they-fear-next-238686 

The doctor appointment in the future

TXT lecture to D4rw1n...

I had the most amazing doctor appointment of the future today...

... I've had a cough that gets worse at night for about a fortnight...

...I cough hard enough that I wheeze on the inhale and it's starting to tear up my diaphragm at the sternum...

...I call my insurance to get a call nurse...

...They cut me off, but not before pimping a website of theirs.

I look it up...

...They list all the doc-in-a-boxes in my immediate area...

...and their online site that's available with no wait right now...

...I understand my situation. It's simple. This isn't MS, this is antibiotics. I need someone who can write a scrip...

...I Install the app, I can choose from 2 providers with no wait: A nurse and a P.A...

I choose the P.A. and wait,  maybe 5 minutes....

...She comes on. She knows my medical history...

..."I'm taking this MS med and pee pill"...

... "feel your neck... feel your sinuses... any swelling?... no? Okay,  show me your throat..."

...I'm exuberant enough that I look like I'm swallowing my cell phone...

..."good. I'll prescribe you an antibiotic. It'll be available in an hour..."

...40 minutes later I get a call. 

"Your prescriptions are ready. "

...amoxycillin and an anti-cougher...

...I guide the pharmacist through her med look-up for my MS drugs to make sure there are no conflicts.  There aren't...

...In out. Total cost?  US$0.00.

 ...Total time? 45 minutes. Including installing the app and driving to the pharmacy.

AI-powered grocery cart

https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/tech/smart-shopping-cart/index.html 

What Food and Nutrition Will Look Like in 50 Years

https://www.outsideonline.com/2394385/food-nutrition-future-climate-change

Giant Mirrored Balloon

https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/mirrored-balloon-massachusetts-new-horizon-trustees

days of future, passed

I was certainly aware of the Seville expo.   I was living in England when it happened, but had no intention of going because the lines were known to be so brutally long.

then, like the rest of the world, I forgot about it ... and I've even been through there a couple times since, without even thinking about it.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/25/travel/seville-expo-cnngo/index.html

The 1950s vision of the 'phone of tomorrow' ... and it's pretty accurate! | Daily Mail Online

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2898707/The-50s-vision-phone-tomorrow-s-pretty-accurate-Engineer-foresaw-features-including-Siri-FaceTime-pocket-sized-device.html

Iowa replaces drivers license with app December 11

http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/11/technology/innovationnation/iowa-drivers-license-app/

if i could turn back time ...

this on yesterday's craigslist in LV, NV's rideshare section:

I know this is pretty crazy, but I have no other choice. I am in desperate need of a time machine. Say what you will, but believe it or not this is a very serious request. I do not just want to leave this city but to traverse the timeline. This is not a want but a sincere need, and I will not take no for an answer. Please do not respond with insensitive remarks. I have dealt with too much of that as well. No watches, clocks or replicas of any type (i.e., DeLoreans, H.G. Wells inventions, etc.). No jokes, pranks and/or traps. I am looking for the real m-f'in thing! I am asking in good faith. I do not believe that there is anything good that can come if I stay here any longer. And I have no patience for B.S. I will not send you any other information unless I know you are serious...and real. This is an impassioned plea to fix the mistakes that I've made.

If you are able to help me out, please reply to the email above.

*Please, Craigslist, do not delete this post!*

... and another social standard bends

special K sent me a TXT earlier this PM:

"In Austin, just saw a young woman walking down the street in cutoff jeans, topless."

for YEARS I've wondered aloud when this will come to pass ... and now it has.

I saw a woman hiker topless with electrical tape over her nipples (ala wendy O williams) earlier this year in joshua tree national park ... I suspect this is going to become somewhat standard social behavior.