On Sun, 29 Dec 2002 17:25:30 -0600, Dan Minette wrote:
>>So I see in the Segway and (hopefully) its descendants a means to move
>>towards a smaller, more efficient means of transportation.
>
>How is it more efficient for commuting than other forms of single person
>transportation that use very little fuel, such as scooters?
It may not be. But I think Doug's point was that it gives an option to people
who either can't or won't drive a scooter for commuting. There are environments
were the Segway will do well. And personal preference will have a lot to do
with it. Although right now, that choice isn't there for many people because of
the cost.
I would like to suggest to all of you who, it appears, have already been run
over by one of these, that whether skateboard, bicycle, blades or segway, the
problem does not lie with the mode, but with the asshole who is piloting it.
>>Obviously the scope if this first iteration is limited, but its a start,
>>a new idea, and I hope it's successful.
>Well, the TV phone was a new idea too. We were all supposed to have TV
>phones by now; the first prototypes were available over 40 years ago. Most
>new well hyped technology doesn't live up to their promise. It is possible
>to criticize individual efforts without being a luddite.
But it wasn't a good idea. People just thought it was neat, not useful. Like
automatic doors and food pills. Expense and lack of bandwidth made it
impractical for all but the wealthy. Cheap bandwidth is here now and webcams
are becoming quite cheap and popular for those who wish to use them. CD's, cell
phones, ABM's, debit cards, PC's, microwave ovens, telephones, electricity etc.
were all new ideas that at one time had their critics.
How did you ever become a science fiction fan? :-)
Dean
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