The Old Fashioned Stuff, at 35000 feet

The last time I flew back from Tokyo, I was on a newly refitted Cathay Pacific flight. It was a Boeing 747 with part of the business class on the "upper deck" but as opposed to having two seats on each side of the aisle, they now have one on each side at a slanted angle (the New Business Class). This configuration allows a flat bed plus a lot more privacy for the passengers.

I was pleasantly surprised by the privacy offered and noted also that we each have a huge LCD TV to ourselves. I enthusiastically flipped through the flight magazine to see what movies I can "try" on this big screen. Unfortunately after take off, the passengers were notified that the audio visual system had a malfunction and after three to four reboots, it was pronounced dead for the rest of the flight. There were several apologetic public announcements, and then the captain made an announcement himself.

He explained what the problem was and that rectifying the situation was beyond the possibilities they can entertain while in flight. He asked that the passengers don't hold it against the crew. Further more, he suggested. ".. may be it's a good time to revive the old fashioned stuff : read a book, talk to each other."

Taking the temporary demise of digital isolation as an opportunity to re-experience human interaction? Since when do we have to be reminded of what makes us human?

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