Remote Work Technology

CHAPTER 12The Complete Package

When I was a boy, I used to dream of people working remotely. That may sound a bit odd, or even unbelievable, but hear me out. I'm a Gen Xer. I was one of those latchkey kids I mentioned in Chapter 9, “Generational Struggles.” Both my parents worked, and my dad worked two jobs. One of his jobs was at JFK Airport and the other at LaGuardia. Both jobs were as a facilities mechanic for TWA and American Airlines. With Mom and Dad both working, that meant that I spent a great deal of time home alone with my brother, who was two years older and my only supervision.

Being home without parental supervision may sound like a dream to some kids, but after a while it gets lonely. It also got isolating because we were told to stay home and not open the door for anyone. This meant no social interaction with kids our own age other than at school. On birthdays I would make a wish that we would have some life-changing event that would allow my folks to be home. Maybe we would win the lottery, or we would receive a large inheritance from a long-lost relative so that my parents could quit their jobs.

Then I started to think of ways my dad could do his job from home. In my mind, I invented all sorts of robots that could be controlled remotely over long distances. I imagined my dad hooked up to a contraption in the den where he would be able to fix things robotically at the airport through what would today be called telepresence.

At the time, I was determined that ...