Nicholas Bate

What's Changed 1-50? 48: The Computer

The Computer, that's what.

Once upon a time, computers were revered. Or hated. Bigger than a pick-up truck, sitting in an air-conditioned room and supported by a team of workers.  And now? The Computer is life. The computer is everywhere, it's in everyone's palm and embedded in their consciousness.

Yep, The Computer, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? : 47

The Key To Business Success, that's what.

Once upon a time, the key to business success was size. Get big, dominate the market and the suppliers. Make money and recruit the best.  And now? Size is increasingly a liability. The key to business success is agility as you will not have seen it coming, it is not in your plan and you cannot buy your way of the problem.

Yep, Business Success, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed: 1-50? 46

Royal Weddings, that's what.

Once upon a time, a Royal Wedding was a time of great excitement: a time of the planning of street parties, of reflection on past great state occasions and a chance to show what a true loyal subject you were. And now? It's a damn good merchandising opportunity.

Yep, Royal Weddings, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50 ?: 45

Shopping For A Shirt, that's what.

Once upon a time, the purchase of a shirt required a short stroll to one's tailor to buy the same white shirt, same size, same cotton, one had always bought. And it would be in stock. Now? Well now it's 'bringing up'-on screen-a flight-deck of possibilities of colours, possibilities, prices and materials. For instant shipping. And your tailor? Sadly they are no more...

Yep, shopping for a shirt, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed? 1-50: 44

Singapore, that's what. Once a jungle, now a super-clean city of amazing architecture with a desire to be the IT and tourism hub of Asia.

What's Changed? 1-50: 43

The Phone, that's what. Once a chunky Bakelite based device answered by one's butler who would enquire "if Sir was indeed at home", is now an all-intrusive device with more functionality that the Apollo 13 crew had available to them on their ill-fated mission. Indeed: the phone.

What's Changed? 1-50: 43

The Shave, that's what.

Once upon a time, a shave was something done to a gentleman while he considered the way of the world, exchanged a little banter and wondered whether to buy or sell. Now? It's a personal process dependent upon multiple blades embedded in plastic accompanied by early morning grimaces in the mirror.

Yep, The Shave, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 42

The Gentleman's Study, that's what.

Once upon a time, a gentleman's study was his lair. Book-lined walls, a rack for pipes and a clear desk except for a working manuscript and a couple of eccentric souvenirs from foreign travels. Now? It's a knot of cables maintaining various aspects of technology, a stack of unopened parcels from amazon and a short pile of correspondence to be maintained.

Yep, The Gentleman's Study, that's what.

(Inspired by Cultural Offering)

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? : 41

Courtesy, that's what.

Once upon a time, courtesy was a given. It was the fabric of day-to-day exchange and the sure mark of a gentleman. Now? Now it's a special and Emotional Intelligence workshops are needed for us to be reminded that we all like to be handled with care.

Yep, courtesy, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed? 1-50: 40

Time, that's what.

Once upon a time, time went slowly. Summers were long and lazy, winters were tough with endless evenings of log fires and reading great books. And Birthdays only came once per year. Now? Everything's a tumble. No sooner is it Halloween then Easter is on the horizon.

Yep, time, that's what.

TBC.