I think the vacation example is a typical example of journalist dumbing-down. Travel is about actually being there, not a very good candidate for telepresense. If it was, HD travelshows would be a substitute for vacation.
Think outside the box, of cases where the presense of the flesh of the practitioner is undesirable, either for safety, space, logistics, or costs. Someone mentioned taxi-drivers, which is a very good example.
If it was, HD travelshows would be a substitute for vacation.
They don't substitute for vacation. They might very well satisfy that urge to travel ... just like people watching Discovery or Nat Geo in the comfort of their homes. You can do this everyday as opposed only a few times a year .. which you can still do.
Think outside the box, of cases where the presense of the flesh of the practitioner is undesirable, either for safety, space, logistics, or costs. Someone mentioned taxi-drivers, which is a very good example.