Modern computers have transformed lifestyles in the ‘Western
World’, i.e., in the US and Europe, nations that have influenced others. Emerging
nations such as China and India are rapidly overtaking former giants by manufacturing
electronic gizmos all dependent upon computers.
Without a doubt computers have made many things and
practices obsolete, thereby causing millions of job losses. Computers
programmed to control machines have drastically deprived people of their
livelihoods. We see this in the vehicle manufacturing industry and in farming
and the production of food.
In September, 2009 I made the point* that there will come a
time when most postboxes will have disappeared. As we depend less upon
traditional letter writing and become more dependent upon the electronic transfer
of information, so the need for stamps will disappear; indeed several countries
have postal systems where stamps have almost become obsolete.
Instead of stamps being used to affirm that payment has been
made for the transfer and delivery of post, printers in workplaces, Post
Offices and in the home will print the information required on adhesive tags
for sticking to envelopes or packages. Mail for delivery will be taken in
person to handy distribution points, perhaps based at supermarkets or out-of-town malls. There will be no need for traditional postage stamps.
Philatelists will feel the loss more than most of us who
perhaps seldom glance at varied and wonderful designs found on stamps from countries
and provinces throughout the world.
Links
*Post Boxes
The Age of Communication
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