The problem is you don&#x27;t need fast physical deliveries of short messages <i>that</i> often. For example, a few days ago I was pondering how to reach a particular person on very short notice; I had an address, but nothing else, so I couldn&#x27;t call them, and while I could spend like $50-100 on international mail, it wouldn&#x27;t get there faster than 3 days from sending. Ultimately, the best solution I could find was... telegrams. Specifically, their modern email+courier incarnation. It would cost like $70 and probably get to the person in a day or two.<p>I thought this sounded outrageous, but then it occurred to me: when was the last time anyone ever used telegrams? There can&#x27;t be many uses of them - I&#x27;ve never used one in my entire life - and all the regular costs of a business still need to be paid and the couriers have to be paid and so on.