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In 1998, Paul Krugman predicted the internet's impact on the economy would be no greater than the fax machine's
(lemmy.world)
this post was submitted on 26 Jun 2023
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The fax machine actually had a massive impact on society and is much older than you think (newer than the telegram, older than the telephone, and in use during Abraham Lincolns life time).
Just because it's usefulness had declined in the prior 10 years to him making that statement, doesn't mean it didn't affect the economy.
In the year 2100 or 2200 the internet as we know it may have been superceded by methodologies we can't even comprehend right now.
It's gonna be fax machines again, isn't it?
Federated Fax Machines
for a given definition of "facsimile" - you might be right
Hell, in Japan where I'm from the fax machine is still an essential business tool, actually moreso for some businesses than the internet.
I think you misspelled Germany.
You misspelled United States
The only reason I still have to mail documents is because of the medical industry. A few years ago a bought a house almost entirely from my phone.
Just take some ibuprofen and the swelling should go away; that'll be $725,394.39