&gt; I didn&#x27;t need a smartphone for this task because there was a real live human being, who brought to the task all of the adaptability and intuition that modern systems lack.<p>OK, my example was simplistic. I want to find the best chicken tacos in San Francisco. I can&#x27;t call directory enquiries for that - I have go find reviews. <i>Then</i> call to make a reservation at the place, <i>then</i> find driving directions of how to get there, somehow. In a paper road atlas? Am I having to advocate for the benefits of the internet on Hacker News?<p>&gt; Realplayer sucked but it was about a thousand times more reliable than the current compatibility crapshoot<p>Well of course it was, it only had to run on one platform. Compatibility is a lot easier when that&#x27;s the case. Today we have HD video being played on mobile devices in your pocket. I can&#x27;t remember the last time I ran into a compatibility problem with online video.<p>&gt; I used to be able to take a supersonic flight across the country, without having my body inspected via millimeter-wave radar.<p>That&#x27;s a political decision, not a technical regression.<p>&gt; Has anyone set foot on the moon in your lifetime?<p>No. Can I load, on demand, stunning satellite photography of planets orders of magnitude further away than the moon, on my phone, on the bus to work? You bet.