A very enjoyable read, Max. I was born in ‘59. We were trained to use slide rules in the 8th grade. I remember my father buying a USED digital calculator from someone in the early 70’s for about $200, and it could only +-*/ . In my first year at UT I learned FORTRAN using punch cards. As an mechanical engineering upperclassman I typed my term papers using my Atari 400. There’s been such a rapid advance in electronics through the years. I think that I would tell my 16 yo self to chill out and to go ahead and kiss the girl. That I needed to a smart woman. To keep up the running and don’t get caught up in appearances. And that kindness would ultimately be my best asset.
Claustrophobia was a US newsletter/mini-mag that focused on three things: Expansion into space, life extension, and intelligence augmentation. It is not widely known!
Unfortunately, I am only able to send a short text to my childhood self. It goes like this:
Buy Apple stock. Don’t marry your first girlfriend. There will be lots of cool electronic gadgets like in the sci fi books you love. Fun! Medical science will be way behind consumer electronic goods in development although there will be antivirals and reliable surgical correction for your myopia in your lifetime. Sorry. No aliens or humans going beyond the moon. The US is not exceptional and people will be just as ignorant, selfish and glorious as at anytime in history. Med school/psychiatry is a great choice. Oh, not to forget … bet BIG on the Cowboys when they play the Dolphins.
A very enjoyable read, Max. I was born in ‘59. We were trained to use slide rules in the 8th grade. I remember my father buying a USED digital calculator from someone in the early 70’s for about $200, and it could only +-*/ . In my first year at UT I learned FORTRAN using punch cards. As an mechanical engineering upperclassman I typed my term papers using my Atari 400. There’s been such a rapid advance in electronics through the years. I think that I would tell my 16 yo self to chill out and to go ahead and kiss the girl. That I needed to a smart woman. To keep up the running and don’t get caught up in appearances. And that kindness would ultimately be my best asset.
That was great! A very enjoyable read. I’ve never heard of Claustrophobia magazine though, what the heck was that?
Claustrophobia was a US newsletter/mini-mag that focused on three things: Expansion into space, life extension, and intelligence augmentation. It is not widely known!
Ah, okay 👍🏻
ChatGPT found info on it on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/296584992095?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Interesting. Looks kinda rare.
The co-editor saw the mention and is very kindly sending me some.
Result! :)
Max: The most important thing is, Max, you are still friends with Quentin.
Max: Oh, cool.
Max: This internet thing I mentioned will prove critical to that. You won't always be living on the same continent.
Max: same planet?
Max: yes. Interplanetary travel is going to be more complex than you realize.
Unfortunately, I am only able to send a short text to my childhood self. It goes like this:
Buy Apple stock. Don’t marry your first girlfriend. There will be lots of cool electronic gadgets like in the sci fi books you love. Fun! Medical science will be way behind consumer electronic goods in development although there will be antivirals and reliable surgical correction for your myopia in your lifetime. Sorry. No aliens or humans going beyond the moon. The US is not exceptional and people will be just as ignorant, selfish and glorious as at anytime in history. Med school/psychiatry is a great choice. Oh, not to forget … bet BIG on the Cowboys when they play the Dolphins.
I didn't even think to include stock market tips. How funny!
That's a helpfully information-rich text. But what device will he receive it on?
Hmmm… good point. Maybe a message on my state of the art TRS-80?
I blame 9/11 turned the 90s zeitgeist into a pessimistic culture.