XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: jclarkeusenet@cox.net   
      
   In article ,   
   droleary@8usenet2013.subsume.com says...   
   >   
   > In article , "2671" <2671@gmail.com>   
   > wrote:   
   >   
   > > "J. Clarke"  wrote in message   
   > > news:MPG.2d40fa317eaa4e5498a3b6@news.newsguy.com...   
   > > > In article ,   
   > > > droleary@8usenet2013.subsume.com says...   
   > > >>   
   > > >> Only a fool would imagine that's a good idea in the first place.  Part   
   > > >> of the beauty of a "pod" system is that it can not only abstract a   
   > > >> transporter, but a replicator as well.  You need groceries?  You push a   
   > > >> few buttons and it all gets sent *to* you!   
   > > >   
   > > > When I'm out of milk I need it tonight, not whenever the grocer gets   
   > > > around to delivering it to me.   
   > >   
   > > Most of those situations would be covered by a system that monitors   
   > > the milk supply and automatically orders some more when it sees that   
   > > there is a need to do that, in plenty of time so that you never run out.   
   >   
   > This J. Clarke person clearly has no ability to imagine how things work   
   > in such a hypothetical world.  The entire supply chain gets   
   > revolutionized once the technology is sufficiently advanced.   
      
   So tell us in detail how the "entire supply chain" gets   
   "revolutionized" because we don't have drivers in cars anymore.   
      
   > > > The thing that is stopping progress is shipping charges.   
   > >   
   > > I get plenty of stuff from China for quite literally $1 with   
   > > postage included, delivered half way around the world.   
   >   
   > And the costs only decrease once you really start to exploit the   
   > efficiencies of scale, containerization, driver-less transport, etc.   
      
   OK, let's see you order a gallon of milk from China and get it delivered   
   still drinkable for $1.   
      
   The stuff that comes from China cheap is generally small and not   
   perishable.   
      
   > > It's cheaper   
   > > > for me to go a half mile out of the way on the way home than it is for   
   > > > the grocer to deliver.   
   > >   
   > > But that isnt true of the stuff I get from china.   
   > >   
   > > The only reason to get it in person is because that is faster.   
   >   
   > And it's only faster because the supply chain stops at the store,   
   > requiring you to make a round trip to cover the last mile.  And round   
   > trips are wasteful on top of it.  Everything would be faster and cheaper   
   > if the logistics were improved.  Instead, we get a world full of J.   
   > Clarkes who think that everyone driving on paved roads everywhere in a   
   > car to do everything is somehow cheap.   
      
   So tell us exactly how you are going to "improve the logistics" of   
   delivering heavy perishable items and why anyone other than you would   
   want that.   
      
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