I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, but Meg reports hearing a rumor that TiVo is facing tough times and could go under.

I literally don’t know how I would cope with the loss of my TiVo. Sure, the box would still work, but who would want to program it manually without the TV listings? And how would my TiVo spot all the wonderful new series, educational specials, and news programming that it automatically suggests and records for me?

I guess most consumers are too resistant to innovation. Everyone who has stopped by apartment to watch TV has been astounded by what my TiVo can do, but they make fun of me when I rave about how it’s changed my viewing habits.

Now I know what it must have been like to be one of the first people on the block with a telephone, a microwave, or indoor plumbing.