Yea, you youngsters didn't get to see what life was like without cellphones, PDA's, laptop computers, video games, and the internet. There were a lot less distractions when I was that age in 1976. Although, I remember spending some time at the arcade playing games like Asteroids and Pac-Man.
actually when i was really young my folks had a stand-up arcade machine in our home. don't know whatever happened to it.
also, i do remember what life was like before the various things you mention. granted, not
adult life. but i have at least used a card catalogue before. but think about the kids being born now. not only will they probably never know a society without these high technologies, but by the time they're getting closer to my age, these things will probably be much more integrated than they are now. ultra-mobile PCs can basically do all the things you list. i'm sure they're not the preferred platform for 3D gaming, but i can imagine them eventually coming to a place where they can compete with the PSP and Gameboy DS.
there are also some big technologies i think i can expect to see become common in my lifetime. for example, the
2000 nobel prize in chemistry was awarded for the development of electro-conductive polymers. the third recipient's contribution invovled developing atom groups that could be appended to the end of a polymer chain which would emit red, green or blue light when a charge reached it.
roll-up monitor screens. clothing with sewn-in electronic circuits. cheaper PCs. the list goes on. what's more, these polymer chains can be insulated fairly cheaply using carbon filaments. should be a very interesting time. if we don't blow our selves up first, that is.
