Tim Berners-Lee
This Way Or That |
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I'm trying to buy a ticket to Sheffield. Well,
Meadowhall, actually, but no one seems to know
where that is. Anyway, I ask for a return to
Meadowhall, and I'm asked if I want to go via
Huddersfield, or via Stockport.
What kind of question is that to ask someone at 08:10 on a Monday morning? It's a question I honestly have to say I've never given much thought to. Huddersfield? Stockport? Such a quandary. Apparently I can't buy a ticket valid via both, I have to choose. I have no idea. Stockport? Huddersfield? It's not as if I'm buying a house, and it's not as if I've done loads of research, and yet I have to make a decision. Huddersfield? Stockport? Tricky, isn't it?
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There's a queue building behind me. It's 08:12
on a Monday morning, and people are grumpy, and
anxious to get to work. How can I decide? Which
do I want? If I get the cheaper ticket, it might
not be valid. If I get the more expensive ticket
it may still not be valid. It all depends
on the train I end up catching.
I have to sacrifice choice, I have to sacrifice my options, and I have to sacrifice any idea of understanding how the system of fares works. Stockport? Huddersfield? In the end I choose Stockport. I don't know if my ticket will be valid, I don't know if it's the cheaper option, and I don't know if I've made the right choice at all, but the people behind me are grumbling about the train they've missed, all because I've taken so long. Huddersfield? Stockport? Do I care? Should I know? Should I have to know? All I want is a train to Meadowhall ... |
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