When I was a child, almost everyone I knew had a single telephone kept in a draughty hallway. Why the hallway I don’t know. Perhaps the bell was better heard from there or else they were copying the location from posher homes where once a butler would have answered it. Until recently, there was also a single place — a study or spare room — where people went to use a computer. Today laptops outsell desktops and wireless internet access means you can use them in every room. This seemingly small detail will have far-reaching effects.
For instance, have you ever wondered where people find time for the many hours they now spend on the net? Accepted wisdom long held we were watching less television. In fact the British spent more time watching broadcast television last month than ten years ago.
Where has the time come from? Radio and newspapers in part.
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