AUGUST 26, 2008

Oh, The Places You’ll Go (Virtually)!

With technology, it seems you can be everywhere you want to be.  Can’t make it to a class?  Take one online.  Can’t drive down to check out a new neighborhood?  Take a Street View tour.  There’s no excuse anymore not to “attend” church when it’s streaming online!  Can’t go to a funeral in Idaho, watch it online.  Yep, that’s right… online funerals.  The Associated Press reports that Downard Funeral Home is now posting funerals online for those who can not attend.  According to the report:  

“‘There’s no charge to the families,’ Lance Peck, funeral home owner, told the Idaho State Journal. ‘It’s just part of the service.’  He said the services remain online for 90 days, and that an e-mail is sent to family members who can assign a password so only those the family wants to view the ceremony have access.” 

Not only does technology allow us to be everywhere we want to be, but places we weren’t previously allowed.  The Sunday Times reports on a new high tech restaurant with touch screen table tops that allows you to scroll through the menu, order, get the bill, play games, and peak at what is going on in the kitchen.  Now you can know what’s really cooking in the kitchen!  Want to see how your art collection was made? This cool site allows you to watch live glass blowing in Tacoma.   

Companies are thinking of new ways to get customers involved and consumers are expecting more and more access.  It seems there will be nothing off limits to consumers in the future.  If something is going on, we want to see it.  I just have one question.  Will anyone actually be at my funeral?