electronics replacing pianos?

[RicB]

David, and all ports of call.

You see the thing I like so very much about you David is your delightful 
way of shooting me down. What a great post you just put out there ! And 
hey... like I said I hope you all are right and I prove wrong. That 
because I also just love the sound of the piano we all know and care for 
today.

But I am afeard that 300 years doesnt account for the speed with which 
humankind can move. Heck just a mere 25 years ago the PC was launched on 
our laps... and how many of you remember the first BBS's ?...  When did 
you get your first cell phone ?.... and how everyday of-course-ness to 
all the text messaging we send back and forth now seem... let alone the 
wireless 3D video phones with no jerky motions that are just a couple 
years at best away.  No no no no no.... the <<replacement>> will come 
much sooner methinks. 

Dont get me wrong.... I have serious wonderments about whether 
synthetics will ever manage to fully emulate the acoustic world.  But 
then they dont have to.  They only have to offer a sexy enough 
alternative to the present day entry level upright.  Then the damage 
will be done.  We need a whole lot of technicians out there to produce a 
few superior techs.... same thing goes when it comes to manufacturing. 
There has to be a vital, thriving, living, dynamic  base of knowledge 
out there to keep the locomotive going.  The major manufacturers do not 
survive by selling high end grands alone.  Without the meat and butter 
of it.... they are all in trouble.

But lets forget all this for a moment... because it may not play out the 
way my own premonitions point. David makes some strong and true points 
as is his want.

Consider for a moment whether such a development would be a good one or 
not.  Perhaps a virtual instrument so real, so versatile, and so 
portable could be kinda .... cool ???? 

Still... 50 or 300 years... its all beyond my life time me thinks.  I'm 
54 and unless they develop youth serums a few quantums faster then the 
"L" piano development is going I hope to have moved onwards in the 
universe well before the year 2046.

Just a thought. Btw... I hear SC won !... Cool... if you are a football 
fan that is :)

Cheers
RicB





    Hold on, here, folks. With all due respect to you, Ric---my brother---
    I just can't agree with you unless you put it way, way up in some  
    future none of us will be able to recognize---like 300 years from  
    now. Maybe.

      There is way, way too much pleasure, thrill, and emotion in the  
    acoustic experience for it to die. You cannot---and I mean, CANNOT---
    replace the total aural and body experience of being in the near-
    field sonic bubble of a fantastic piano.

    ..........................

    David Andersen