Modern Logical Proof

[leahbobet]

Given: we are living in the future.

• Proof of this assertion requires no more than how much technology is involved in me posting this right now.

Given: I want some gloucester with stilton on toast very badly.
Given: I have none of said cheese in the fridge.

• Or much of anything else. Dammit.

Given: the cheese store is a half-hour walk away and a half-hour walk back.
Given: it is pouring outside.

Inductive Reasoning: Going to the cheese store in the rain is unadvisable.

Given: there are phone numbers you can call where, for money, people bring you food. This being The Future and all.

• Proof: I got Chinese the other night in just this manner.

Therefore: it would be a great business idea for someone to set up a damn number where I could call and get a person to convey me my cheese. And maybe some strawberries while they were up.

Entrepreneurs of tomorrow, go to.

Comments

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

You are not thinking futurey enough. Phones require talking! To other human beings! What should happen is that the internet should have a place where you push buttons and then someone brings you cheese, and the only word you have to say is, "Thanks," to the person who has just handed you the packet of cheese, and maybe some strawberries while they were up.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Really what should happen is I should only have to think "hey, I really could go for some cheese on toast" and, having read these mind rays, someone is dispatched to the cheese store. But I am willing to make concessions and do this in baby steps if it will get me my cheese today and maybe the strawberries while they were up.

[seabream.livejournal.com]

If you're being that futurey, you could think at your home appliance printer/replicator/gizmo and have your cheese on toast and maybe some strawberries if it's running anyway.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Yes. I have always wanted a replicator.

Although the downside of it is the thrill of the cheese store impulse buy -- seeing that thing you didn't think you wanted, but there it is. All nummy-looking...

Your wish is my command

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

http://www.grocerygateway.com/

Re: Your wish is my command

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

I know of this. However, I am thinking more of something where I don't have to order a $45 minimum, it actually stocks stuff that's not your regular barnlike grocery store fodder, gives it to me now, and has my cheese. *weeps*

Re: Your wish is my command

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

aaah. sorry. :(

Salaam

[seabream.livejournal.com]

Such services do exist. Personal shoppers and personal assistants are available online and by phone. Depending on who you go with and their availability, 30 min. might be doable, though 4 hours is about as short as guaranteed completion goes that I've seen for errand service. With formal, bonded, insured and registered businesses, for this sort of thing, the fee structure is usually either by the hour or a percentage of the value of the goods over a minimum fee. On bigger things or ongoing tasks, there are flat rate or membership plans.

Some taxi companies do parcel pickup and delivery for reasonable fees, so if you don't mind making two calls, one to your cheese shop to buy the cheese and tell them that it'll be picked up, and one to the taxi company, that would work too and probably be faster and less expensive than a personal shopper for a one off.

Lets say $12 for 250g Gloucester Stilton at Alex Farm Products.

At mypersonalshopper.ca $38/ hour, one hour errand for the shopper, one call for you. $50. Want strawberries too? No problem. If your cheese isn't in stock, they can call you from the store and ask what you might want instead. Depending on what their scheduling is like though, you might need to wait for up to 48 hours.

For taxis I've never used one for parcels, and their websites say call for info, so using Toronto trip rates from 416-taxicab.com, $2.75 initial, $1/km * 5 km and $0.40/min wait * ~ 10 min in and out for the taxi + tip. ~$14. or $26 total, but depending on whether or not your cheese place will take a credit card over the phone, or send you an invoice for later, you may need to call around. If traffic is good, your cheese is in stock, your cheese shop is fast (and open), you should be able to get your cheese in under an hour. The flexibility regarding strawberries, and initiative if there are hiccups is probably lower than with the shopper though.

So I guess what you really need to ask is how much you want your strawberries.

Re: Salaam

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

...y'know, the taxi thing I never thought of. Hmm.

[timprov.livejournal.com]

Obviously what you need isn't a service, but a commensal.

I remember seeing a video of a Japanese family who had an emperor penguin for this purpose. They would put money in its beak and it would come back with their groceries.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Yes. Or as we term them in our modern parlance, 'cabana boy'.

Although penguins would be way cute.

[timprov.livejournal.com]

Penguins are cheaper, but if you're really diligent, you can probably find a cabana boy who smells less of fish. It's something of a tossup.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Yes. And it would save on finding good penguin chow.

[shiroiko.livejournal.com]

Cheese should be available in this manner as should be desserts. These are things one especially craves when they are too tired or it is much too gross to actually go out to get them.

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

Yes. The last time I wished for this service, it was for apple crisp. Possibly with a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream.

[delta-november.livejournal.com]

I believe the future way of doing this is a Craigslist post saying "Will pay $x to the first person who comes to my door in the next 30 mins with cheese."

[leahbobet.livejournal.com]

I would do this if I wasn't deathly afraid of those who inhabit Craigslist.

Depending on how much I want that cheese tomorrow, I may still do it.