The fight for technology.....

[smokeyjay]

The EMP issue is largely a non-issue, because any high altitude burst is too small and very localized. It only effects electrical circuits within the yield range. 

That said, I'm no fan of our increasing dependence on integrated technology that requires a passcode or other key to operate. 

[smokeyjay]

Can you imagine a time when your freedom to operate is in jeopardy due to a squabble with an equipment provider?  Or perhaps you disagree with their policies?  Or......?  1984 may not be science fiction much longer. 

This very well be a time for rethinking ownership strategy, and determining which "platforms" justify total upgrading and which are rebuilt over and over.  Technology should serve the farmer and not the other way around. 

Imagine if the EPA could insist on software that would shut down the machine if you were "out of compliance."  Or if you were late with tax payments.  

[lsc76cat]

If the need/desire is there a "black market" will develop.

It's human nature and nothing defeats that.  (edited to substitute "defeats" for "Trumps")

    (I like the thought of defeat and Trump in the same sentence)

[Jim Meade / Iowa City · Accepted solution]

John Deere already says you "license" but do not own the software in their tractors.  So you can't legally chip the machine.

It's hard for me to believe that people who have access to your information will not use it for their own purposes if it is to their advantage. 

As you point out, it is getting harder and harder to own software.  Microsoft is leading the trend to charging a subscription on an annual or other basis for using software, and you may not even be able to put it on your machine but have to use it from the cloud (if you can reach the cloud).

As you generate more and more information, there is more and more incentive for others to want to have access to it for regulatory or business reasons.  Farmers can expect to be sued for access to records just as car owners can be required to give access to the history stored in their car memories.

If one looks at the history of aviation, one sees that now airliners can land under some circumstances in zero visibliity with no human at the controls.  Technology is getting more affordable and we have all seen instances where capital is preferred over labor.  The classic example is how long it took large round balers to overtake small square balers in making hay.

Your predictions are spot on in my opinion.

When there is enough information so that the woman at a desk in Chicago knows as much about your side hill seep, clay knob, glacial till and wetland as you do, it may be only money and technology that keep her from watching her robot machinery plant, fertilize and harvest, all the while respecting your gravestone on the peak of that nice ridge you enjoy resting on.

[sw363535]

Thanks for puttin the brain to this one Jim,

Supposition can take you for a nice trip on this issue,  but I think the shock comes on the simple up front question,,,,

"If the expensive tool you bought requires software to preform that is not purchased with the tool, but is licensed by the purchaser of the tool, subsequently requires periodic updates from the company that owns the software ........and may or may not be the company that sold the tool ( in fact may be a company with a shorter life than yours).................. What on earth did you purchase???  "

I am having a hard time imagining this tractor to ever be a treasured antique being restored in the shop...

What I do see is an amazing proformance where power and fuel effeciency managed in the most effecient and gentle way I can imagine.

What I experienced was a great afternoon with my son....

And somewhere in this reality we reached a peak in enthusiasm over technology and have begun our journey down the other side, seriously evaluating which technologies should be avoided, not paid for, and will seriously judge.... what we desire...

This was a JD 8345 tractor with the variable speed transmission.  You select the speed and the computer varies the gear and motor speed to the most fuel effecient setting as the load varies....  It was impressive, pulling a moldboard plow with several sheers running at 15 inches of depth..     The tractor was less than a year out of the factory and the transmission stopped functioning on a saturday morning.  Dealer called up the tractor through satalite connection and found there were 12 updates that had not been downloaded.  Without JD tech support this wasn't going to happen on a Saturday or Sunday, and finally ate up 6 hours of Monday....  But had to be done before a technician could deal with the doodad that needed changed......  

We had plenty of time to reflect..........

[westernia80]

SW, 50 years from now there wont be any more FFA kid restored tractors at the State Fair.  Just another part of nostalgia lost to progress I guess

[sw363535]

I am afraid your right...

[JonBailey64]

Does your high-tech "spaceship" of a tractor even have a sturdy rollbar for overturn protection as well as a seat safety harness?

The Amish with their teams of plow horses don't have to plug their animals into a USB port and download anything.

[r3020]

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@JonBailey64 wrote:

Does your high-tech "spaceship" of a tractor even have a sturdy rollbar for overturn protection as well as a seat safety harness?

The Amish with their teams of plow horses don't have to plug their animals into a USB port and download anything.

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You're right. When their horses can't work they just shoot them.

[Kay/NC]

I think strategically-placed EMPs, or other forms of sabotage, could cripple the grid.