MY OWN long-haired lifestyle coach tells me I’m turning grumpier, ever quicker to complain about some new technological atrocity that claims to make life easier yet conspires to do the opposite. My latest gripe is the fast-disappearing hardcopy auction catalogue. I bow to no man in my admiration for online catalogues with their smorgasbord of available goodies delivered instantly, and constantly, to my laptop. Not long ago I would have either had to receive a catalogue in the post, visit that auction house or remained ignorant about what was for sale. Now I go online. Then, hopefully, I buy, push the P&P button and receive a huge estimate for the cost of delivery – but this is usually a lot less than the cost of hours in the car, plus diesel, to pick up my winnings. It’s a brilliant, convenient, new world. So, why lament the demise of the ‘old school’ hardcopy catalogue?
