Now the camera can be triggered from up to 20 meters (66 feet) away, and a direct line of sight is not necessary.

ENGADGET: Nikon D5200 to reach US photographers in late January for $900

Infra-red communication suffers the same problems, but has the additional limitation of requiring a direct line of sight between objects as anyone who has tried to operate a television remote control with someone else standing between him and the television will know.

ECONOMIST: The human body as a computer bus

But the developed world has lost sight of direct productive activity.

FORBES: Listen Up Bernanke, QE Is Not The Answer