I picked up a ‘Mad’ magazine (circa 1991) which happened to be a ‘Computer Virus Edition’. Funnily enough, a lot of the far-fetched humour in the magazine is reality in our new digital world.

The first few pages of the magazine are a satirical view of Steven Spielberg’s ‘Back to the Future’ which foresaw flying cars, and even hover skateboards by 2015. Just last week, I read an article, which stated flying cars would be reality by next year. For an outlay $279,000 USD, combined with a dual pilot and driver’s licence, owners will be able to soar at 14,000 feet and drive at normal speeds. No word on the hover skateboards, I’m afraid.

To work by flying car in 2015?

About halfway through the magazine, artist Al Jaffees’ take on computers was very interesting when you have the power of hindsight. He’s created several chapters which look at the social impact computers have on people. Chapter 3 looks at the effect of constantly being plugged in and missing the world around you. Norman is too busy loving his computer and not his wife. She also learns to love computers, when she finds a ‘computer dating service’ and the man of her dreams. The accuracy of online statistics for online dating is astounding. Nearly 80% of singles in the States have tried online dating. Many of the statistics are surprising. Girls actually prefer ‘The Nice Guy’, and blondes are still preferred over any other hair colour. I doubt that when Al was inking this cartoon that he imagined that it would become our reality.

Mad predicts future of computer interaction

Further through the magazine, Paul Coker’s ‘Practical Computer Programs For Normal Everyday Use’ was the most fascinating. The ‘What I Wore’ program tells you what you wore, when you wore it, who’s seen you wear it, and what outfits no one has seen you in. Sounds like an app doesn’t it? An insight from the past that is actually very close to our digital day-to-day life. My personal favourite is the ‘Excuse’ program. Enter Occasion: late for work. Excuses used: dead battery (twice); train derailment; sick Aunt Betsy; dead grandmother. Available excuses: flat tire; dental emergency; mugging victim. Smartphone Applications are indeed changing our day-to-day life and are both functional and entertaining.

As a business owner it has never been more challenging to keep up with these trends, leverage them and turn them into measurable results. The world has indeed gone mad, but if you’re able to listen to the insanity, you might be able to sense that is not, in fact, madness but undiscovered brilliance.

COO’EE specialises in turning this madness into brilliance. Talk to us today to see what opportunities are now available.