THE MOST SURPRISING AD I'VE SEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME: Scythes, Blimps and Vacuum Tubes: What's old is new again; so what's new?

-->

 They say what goes around comes around.  (Or is it the other way?)  You get the idea.

About a month ago I was flipping through a physical copy of Popular Science, May, 2012, and stumbled on a full page ad from Samsung, the S. Korean company that makes flat screen TVs.  The scene is a collage of contemporary life-style photos with hero shot of a piece of simple but high-end audio gear:  The Samsung DA-E750 Audio Dock.   A small headline reads “create wonder.”

But what surprised me, was the all caps, first line of copy:  “WITH SAMSUNG VACUUM TUBE TECHNOLOGY, GREAT SOUND COMES NATURALLY. “

Vacuum tubes?!  This is 2012!  The transistor was invented 50 years ago!?

The copy continues: “Bring audio to life with the Samsung Audio Dock system featuring vacuum tube technology. Enjoy music the way it was meant to be heard as the natural warmth of the analog tubes deliver a truer, richer, more immersive sound.  Experience the future of home audio at Samsung.com/HomeTheater.”  I’m not kidding but maybe I’m getting spoofed. 

Of course there are those who still prefer vinyl to CDs.  And other old ideas are coming back – like blimps according to a Wall Street Journal article headlined “Army Preps Spy Blimp.” 

 In that same WSJ issue, a feature on scythes that some are choosing to use instead of motorized weed wackers – 10,000, $200 scythe kits sold just last year and sales are in the upswing.

So what other changes may surprise us 5 years from now?  (A re-reboot of Spiderman, maybe?)  My feeling is that the Facebook pendulum may be swinging back to real friends in real time. After all, the most, basic fundamental, social medium is...sitting down face to face with someone for coffee or throwing a party. 

So Onward, Forward to the Past.