Comment on Node ant

John Rallison — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:27:53 -0400

It's the ala carte age. Although, if energy costs stay up, airline travel will return to the luxury it was in the 70's and before. If airline travel becomes more elite again (as some are predicting), then they will have to include food. But if it stays more of a bus in the air, then the casual and vacation traveler will probably choose to pay less and bring their own food.

Comment on Node ant

John Rallison — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:33:10 -0400

I generally think federal solutions are the least attractive solutions because they are so far away from the ground where the real problems are. Part of the self-correction of our system happens when we let the chips fall where they may. I'm not opposed to helping people who have gotten into a fix, but the long-term effect of a bailout is to relief a person or company from the consequences of their actions and keep them from learning the lesson that life is trying to teach them. Federal 'blanket' solutions do this to the greatest degree.

Comment on Node ant

John Rallison — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:27:49 -0400

There is no substitute for direct eye contact and a handshake. Certainly technology has already reduced the need and will continue that trend. My disagreement is with the word, "obliterate." Anyone installing new equipment will have to travel. Anyone putting together a deal of significant proportions will want to meet their prospective partner face-to-face. Minor stuff can be done online, but most dealmaking and troubleshooting will still require talented and resourceful people on location.

Comment on Node ant

John Rallison — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:37:16 -0400

I guess I would care if he said, "I tried using email and I just can't seem to get the knack of it." But I categorically do not care, in general, whether he is internet active or not. I know some (admittedly not young) upper management types that just don't bother. That's what staff are for. Timewise, you can tell an assistant to tell somebody a,b and c, a faster than you can sit down an email the person yourself.