After all that PONDERING yesterday, and being as I have been passed out most of today on meds for what is apparently a major allergy disaster, it's nice to have something fun from the RevGals to respond to:
Yesterday I had two separate conversations in which people were musing about how much change is occurring. The WW II generation, of which my mom is a part, went from horse and buggy to automobiles, saw the lessening, or even the end of many diseases, went from widespread use of kerosene lamps and outhouses (in the country, and most folks were rural)) to a totally electrified and plumbed society. The fastest means of communication was a telegraph. The second conversation--gulp--was about MY generation and how much change occurred in the last half of the 20th century. The person said his 13 year old had not seen a vinyl record album until a few days before, couldn't remember a time without cell phones, and on and on.
As for the questions!
1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live without?
Google and email are tied. I managed a computer-less life when I was on retreat last summer for 8 days, but I couldn't live my regular life that way anymore.
2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day? Why?
Call-waiting. I think it has had a major effect on what used to be known as common courtesy.
3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If so, do you use it (them)?
I don't think so. There might be a cassette player around somewhere.
4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or somethingelse?
It's exciting and wonderful as long as there's a young person around to get the technology to work. Usually I can't even find the on and off buttons without assistance.
5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonuspoints if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.
I might have to think about that one. I used to be a real Laura Ingalls fan and think that I was meant for pioneer life in the 19th century, until I grew up and came to understand how much labor and inconvenience lay behind those stories.
Oh -- I know! Elegance of language. Think Jane Austen: the intense emotional power embedded in the most composed and restrained conversations.
In general, I think we've gained a lot from the past century's advances in science and communications. I love learning about the world and universe, I love that we are all becoming better aquainted with one another (in the global sense), and I love my cameras!
8 comments:
"elegance of language"- great phrase. That was what I was thinking when I said we have lost the art of writing a great letter. Well said. Hope you feel better!
Now that was an original answer to #5, and so very true! Get well, and thanks for playing. I enjoyed reading the answers people wrote for this week.
I always enjoy seeing what you've written or posted. Thanks, GG.
I think a lot of the things we "know" are just things we think we know..
Oh yes, I hate call-waiting. Never use it. NEVER. and Hate it when people I know put me on hold for another call. One of my SIL's does this all the time...I rarely call her anymore.
Like your answers.
if I was to answer 5, which I am about to do... relationship with our food.
of course, the elegance of language. and of course, you have that elegance, gannet girl.
and I love what you do with your cameras!
Your post has a 3D quality. The questions look like they are floating in front of the answers. Very cool.
Post a Comment