High-speed progress can sometimes leave things behind

Technology can do wonderful things.

Take the internet, for instance. Not too long ago, if you wanted to buy something special you had to travel to a town or city, look in various shops and hope they had the item you wanted. If they didn't, you might have to get something you liked less, or perhaps order what you really wanted and return for it another time.

Fast forward to this year and now you could be naked sitting on the sofa at 2 am, with just a cellphone for company, and you'd be able to order a pink grand piano, book a holiday in the Solomon Islands and arrange for some Italian food to be delivered (although it might be advisable to put some clothes on when the food arrives).