John, spoken like a true poet.

Roger (and Marion) of course you can and will. I figured someone would jump on me for that. But I don't have a television and I didn't know any other show to name by name. "American Idol" was used as a synecdoche, the specific to represent the general. Just wanted to make sure you hadn't all fallen asleep with the remote in your hand.

Alas, poor Cassandra! I knew her, Horatio, a woman of infinite
pessimism, of most excellent prophecy.

Janice,

In this particular case I am going to agree with John. Google may be finished, but (once again) the human race and life as we know it are not.

Rick

I'm Janice, but that's OK. Janet is the metrics whiz.

The human race will likely go on as before, Rick, I agree. Life as we know it, well, I am not so sure about that. Life isn't even as we knew it ten years ago. Hey, you are the one who wrote that great poem about--I don't remember the details, but I remember the poem, you were driving in your car and there was the police officers and the homeless man. Great poem that made an impression but I can't quote it. You know though, you wrote it.

Darned if I'm going to tell. Pogonotrophy is not just for pagans anymore.

- Alpha

Janice,

What! Everyone hated that poem! Where were you when I needed you!!!~,:^)

Just kidding.

Yes, life as we know it keeps changing. Connect the dots--Hobbes to Better Living through Chemistry to Dr. Wulfgang's Google killer.

But forget Dr. Wolfgang. The guy to keep your eye on is Ray Kurzweil. On the other hand, he is only keeping his eye on...us.

We have seen the enemy,
Rick

I was right beside you battling for you and the poem.

Janice, I was just kidding. Wait...you mean everyone else did hate it?

(Really, I'm kidding.)

More to the point. I hope Google gets out of this thing alive. Amazon takes a hit...? So be it.

RM