In the ’60′s, American muscle cars were powerful, fast, and “sloppy” enough that they’d run well even when tinkered with.
By contrast, many of today’s cars are so closely engineered, with so many functions made interdependent because of the use of shared components, that a radio malfunction in my old man’s Mercedes literally crippled his car.
Society, on the whole, has been evolving much the same way as cars have over the same half decade… and while I’m no survivalist, Wednesday’s DNS attack reminds us of how vulnerable we become when we overdependent on a few critical systems.
Again, I’m no survivalist. Moreover, I think that on the whole, we’re generally headed in the right direction—despite a tumultuous ride and some major policy blunders along the way.
Still, I think having a (dare I say it in this green day and age?) printed copy of all your contacts may not be such a bad idea… nor is the thought of having a land line phone in your house.
Because the next time a solar flare takes out power for 14 hours where you live, it’ll be kinda nice to know you’re still connected to the rest of the world.
Jason Seiden is Co-founder and CEO of Ajax Social Media, a training company that shows professionals how use social media to work more effectively.
I'm the CEO of Ajax Social Media. We're helping 1 million people shine by making their online stories better. 
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
My wife, child, and I have our own mobile phones, yet I stubbornly refuse to cancel our land line phone service at home. I buy flood insurance even though it’s not required where I live. And, yes, I actually look out for my customers’ best interests even though I can make more money capitalizing on their ignorance. Perhaps the above are all costly habits of mine but my ability to sleep well at night is priceless.
Sincerely,
Thomas Huynh, founder
Sonshi.com
Thomas, I keep a land-line, too! Next time the entire eastern half of the country gets caught in an extended black out, you and I will still be able to get stuff done.
With each other.
Is that the literal meaning of B2B?
It may take me a while to reach you though — I have a rotary dial.