29-10-2003 09:21									#1
	The Future Is Here Inflate your Upload Space

Wow, I saw the coolest thing today. The future is truly here.

Its this vending machine the size of a small bus that can spit out all sorts of cool things. I just got a free DVD rental from it as part of a promotional deal.

Its all paperless too, I don't think it takes cash, just cards. A swipe of a card and a few touches to the video screen and the big machine spits out my DVD. So freaken cool. I'm still in awe of it.

In addition to a huge list of movies its got, it has all manner of convenience store stuff. Pop, snacks, toiletries. I was tempted to buy something just to see how the whole conveyor belt gizmo works, but I guess I'll try it out when I return the DVD. I got The Hulk btw.

This is so freaken cool. Totally automated, totally unmanned. Very quick, efficient, and easy.

The future is here.

	29-10-2003 09:28									#2
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More american jobs down the drain.

	29-10-2003 09:31									#3
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Naw, its just different jobs.

People are still needed to make these machines and stock these machines and fix these machines.

And if these machines lead to less time spent standing in line at long convenience stores it'll increase productivity and create jobs. Plus increased sales of this merchandise will increase sales at the manufacturers of the products sold in these machines.

Trust the invisable hand, pinko.

	29-10-2003 09:32									#4
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Was this the one one 18th Street Adams Morgan?

	29-10-2003 09:35									#5
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Naw, this one was across from the White Flint metro stop on the Red Line. But yea, I think I heard about the one in Adams Morgan. Never really thought about it much, but when I ran to Kinkos tonight I spotted this big thing and I was very much intrigued.

	29-10-2003 09:38									#6
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quote: Originally posted by monolith94 More american jobs down the drain.

Except that now, these people can be employed making entirely NEW things, like these machines

	29-10-2003 09:42									#7
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quote: Originally posted by Timexwatch Was this the one one 18th Street Adams Morgan?

I saw that last weekend. Weird ...

	29-10-2003 09:44									#8
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that nis cool

UJon Miller

	29-10-2003 10:35									#9
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"People are still needed to make these machines"

Baloney. They'll be made in mexico.

	29-10-2003 10:36									#10
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What we need is a machine to generate litter so we can hire people to pick it up.

	29-10-2003 10:52									#11
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quote: Originally posted by Asher What we need is a machine to generate litter so we can hire people to pick it up.

Those machines already exist. They're called humans.

[/cynicism]

	29-10-2003 10:54									#12
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More humans then.

Everyone pair up!

	29-10-2003 11:07									#13
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If only that worked... *sigh*

	29-10-2003 11:16									#14
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The only thing that really needs a vending machine for is beer.

	29-10-2003 11:24									#15
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quote: I saw that last weekend. Weird ...

this coming from a guy with HAL as his avatar.

	29-10-2003 11:28									#16
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quote: Originally posted by skywalker Except that now, these people can be employed making entirely NEW things, like these machines

That is until they develop machines that will make these machines.

Then how about machines to make the machines that make these machines?

And for people to stay up the top of this, they will continually need retraining, which will of course take over much of their time either at work where they need to be to get paid and keep things running until the new systems are in place, or in their own time, which could make things much more stressful. Balancing 8+ hours of work, 3 hours of training as well as friend and family commitments while getting in enough hours of sleep each day will be extremely difficult.

	29-10-2003 15:29									#17
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They're testing one of those things in London I seem to recall. Except I think the British version also serves alcohol.

	29-10-2003 15:31									#18
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Cool as hell!

Jon Miller

	29-10-2003 16:59									#19
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The whole idea behind this kind of innovation is to make two tests in the best places in the world, which would show that the machine pays for itself in one year or less, then to sell master franchises to guys who will sell franchises to guy who will sell the machine to people expecting a big return without to much effort.

	29-10-2003 17:51									#20
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quote: Those machines already exist. They're called humans. [/cynicism]

Too late, dammit, and I had the same wording too..
-

quote: More humans then. Everyone pair up!

[insert cheap homofobic comment]

j/k

	30-10-2003 02:11									#21
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quote: Originally posted by monolith94 "People are still needed to make these machines" Baloney. They'll be made in mexico.

And Mexicans aren't people?

Racist, american-centric commie.

	30-10-2003 02:36									#22
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[/quote]People are still needed to make these machines"

Baloney. They'll be made in mexico.[quote]

Naw, it probably some Hindu making these to get back at his brother who opened up a 7-11 right across from his Circle-K...



I'm going to hell

	30-10-2003 03:02									#23
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These are probably made in Japan, not Mexico (yet). They've already been around for a long time in Japan, as I understand.

As long as they are well-stocked, I think it's a great idea. Wish they would put a couple in my neighborhood. Adams Morgan is too far away.

The local CVS is 24 hours, but they don't seem to stock anything well.

	30-10-2003 03:47									#24
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I'm not sure i'll be getting food from it, but movie rentals will be great.

I'm still on my parent's Blockbuster account, and they *always* turn their movies late and have 20-30 bucks in late fees on the account when I try to rent stuff. Screw that. I tried to get my own account, but Blockbuster is so anal about that. I can't get a Blockbuster account unless I have a driver's license with my current address on it, and like 2 other forms of identification.

With this new gizmo, i just swipe my debit card, and it spits a DVD out at me. Quite nice, no hassle.

	30-10-2003 06:05									#25
	Increase Your PM Length

I can't get a Blockbuster account unless I have a driver's license with my current address on it, and like 2 other forms of identification.

Don't you hold a passport? OK, I reckon fewer Americans than Europeans would. That ought to be the most reliable form of identification, or so I'd believe.

	30-10-2003 07:14									#26
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Cool -- another type of vending machine that Americans can get fatter from.

	30-10-2003 08:16									#27
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I've got a passport, but I think that also has my old Michigan address on it. So it wouldn't work for Blockbuster.