Post by edwin on Nov 21, 2012 20:03:09 GMT
I sometimes think we took a wrong turning by going for mass communication, mass transport et al. Almost as alternate history I have thought of devices and ways and means that enabled transport and communications but remained under the individuals' control.
Start with the Middle Ages and scribes writing manuscripts. Think how much easier if each letter was engraved on wood or metal then the letter could be stamped much quicker than written. Following on instead of inventing the printing press they could have mounted the letters in a frame on stalks and invented the typewriter.
Books produced vastly quicker but still individually. However, but still within the cotrol of the small group, reproduction of individual pages by means of such things as Jellygraphs so small editions of books possible.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hectograph
Postal system links like a worldwide web with "Jellygraph" journals as forums.
All applicable post apoc.
Start with the Middle Ages and scribes writing manuscripts. Think how much easier if each letter was engraved on wood or metal then the letter could be stamped much quicker than written. Following on instead of inventing the printing press they could have mounted the letters in a frame on stalks and invented the typewriter.
Books produced vastly quicker but still individually. However, but still within the cotrol of the small group, reproduction of individual pages by means of such things as Jellygraphs so small editions of books possible.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hectograph
Postal system links like a worldwide web with "Jellygraph" journals as forums.
All applicable post apoc.