Future thrills.

 I have a list in my room of all the things I want to do/achieve in my lifetime.
Some are realistic and others are not so (but hey, who says I won't fly a unicorn one day?*)
Included on this list is the following;
- Get published in Vogue.


 While this is not totally realistic, I understand it's still doable despite the slim chances. However last night while laying down in bed worrying for my English exam this morning, I thought of the possibility of this dream being shattered.
And not because they ignored my letters or because I wasn't a good enough writer, but because of the online revolution.
I like to think Vogue is still a long way from going entirely online but truth be told, more and more published journalism is taking to the internet. And more and more people are accepting it with open arms, as expected.


 Now call me hypocritical, I know I write an online blog and often spend more time on facebook than socialising with my friends in real life, yet for me this dream isn't going to be fulfilled by just seeing my name and article on a webpage right where you could just as easily find a Grade 6 short story. Talented journalism should be worked for, and to me that means taking everything you've got then reaping the rewards by opening those glossy printed pages to see your spread next to pages of some of the most talented fashion writers/photographers/editors and models there are. Would you get that same thrill seeing your article on internet explorer, only for it to freeze on you half way through?


 Now don't get me wrong, not only in journalism but in all aspects of life, the internet has proved incredibly helpful in making day to day things easier.
I'm an avid fan of online shopping and it's also a great way to shop overseas without a $1800 plane flight, but when I really think about it, I never get that same thrill buying something online as I do when I go into a shop. Yes it's 10x more convenient and I don't have to deal with annoying sales assistants that INSIST you try that jacket to match the dress (No thank you, if I wanted a jacket I would have picked up a jacket) but at the same time I miss that crinkle-free paperbag and that unadulterated feeling of walking out the shop feeling good about your purchase. Instead, simply for convenience, I put up with late (and often expensive) postal services and increasing guilt over spending so much money whilst I wait for such parcel to arrive - not to mention things that turn out to be much worse quality than expected.


 So how can we decide whether to keep on saving the environment and money and going online, or spending that little bit extra on some class? Truth be told I think we're on a marathon towards the inevitable, even last night my parents were saying it probably wouldn't be long before English exams are written on programmed computers where nothing else can be accessed during the exam period.
But for me, the internet is a bit like Frankston station.** It's convenient (for transport etc) but there's nothing special about it, and nobody wants to go to the station over somewhere like Mt Eliza who have spent that little bit more time putting things together.


*I'm kidding here, as if I would put flying a unicorn on my list of dreams...
it's all about flying pigs these days!
** For those who don't get the Frankston station reference, consider yourself lucky. NB: I'm not one of those people who helps give Frankston its bad reputation when I don't actually live there. I travel into Frankston most days to go to school/shopping/see friends etc.