by Rod Eccles
I have
to admit, I am old enough to remember a time without cell phones, personal
computers, video games and 24/7 television. But I am also young enough to
understand that all of this new electronic stuff has been a boon to mankind.
But
sometimes I wonder how good has our modern
technology really been to us as
humans, as Americans. Is it really what we as a society truly
wanted? Or did we get caught up in the myth that we need the newest,
biggest, fastest gadget that someone can think up and bring to market?
Yes, I
remember a simpler time. I know, I know. Your grandparents say the same thing. Your great
grandparents say the same thing. But, did you ever really stop to think
that they may be right? Did you ever slow down long enough to really
smell the sweet roses? Did you ever think to enjoy the moment that you
are currently in? Did you?
In our
so-called modern life, we seem to go faster than ever. We have all kinds
of devices that make things easier, faster, seemingly more simple but we get
upset when our computer takes 5 seconds to download a picture instead of it
doing it in a micro second.
We find
that we work longer hours even though we have all kinds of modern stuff that
makes us more productive than anyone thought possible. We have less time
at the dinner table than ever before because every member of the family is
either totally connected to the outside world or schedules are so busy that
even sleep takes a back seat.
How
refreshing it is to live in a part of the United States where we have some
semblance of history. I say that because really we are a nation that is
only a little over 230 years old. Not counting the Native Americans that
occupied this land beforehand, we are a civilization that is just barely 500
years old, if you wish to go back to the time Columbus sailed the ocean blue in
1492.
We in
the United States lack a real and serious sense of history. Think of
Europe, Africa and Asia where families have lived in the same house longer than
we have been a nation and you start to understand that we don't have a very
deep history.
But here
in New England, the Northeast, the Eastern Seaboard, our nation has its deepest
roots. I am very fortunate to live in this area of the nation because I get
to go back in time whenever I wish. Whenever I need to remind myself
there is something greater and better and sweeter than this plastic, silicone
and metal society we populate today.
I can
easily take a trip back in time when things were made of metal, wood, paper and
other natural materials. I can see and feel cobblestones and brick
streets and drives. I can feel the old wood ships and see the devices of
100 years ago still in perfect working order today.
I can
step back in time and experience when things were slower, more
personable. When service really meant service and attention by a human
being, not an answering machine or an email address.
I can
easily drive down a country road and stumble upon a small town with a fully
functioning Country Store. Step inside and see the store jam packed from
floor to ceiling with goods both modern and from a time gone by. I often
chose the product from a time gone by. It some how taste better. No
chemicals. No preservatives. No by products. Nothing artificial.
Just the real thing.
I can
look at the label and marvel at how many things still say "Made In
America". I bask in the warm and friendly smile of the store keeper
and know that they will take care of my every need and still offer me a more
than fair price.
I can
chat with the local towns folk in the town square or library or on the steps of
Town Hall. Yes, people still gather at these locations here in New
England.
I can
see the old road signs of an era long gone. Yes, I marvel at how life used
to be and ask even with all of our so-called modern convenience, how is life
better today? We have less time to just enjoy life.
No I am
not some old man longing for my younger days. I have not even hit the age
of 50 yet. But I do understand a time period when a man would hold a door
open for a woman. When a child, no matter how old, would never even think
about cussing in front of their parents or disrespecting their parents. I
long for the days when the local policeman walked his beat and chatted with
folks on the street and truly served and protected the community vs being
locked away and separated from that community by a fast moving vehicle with the
windows rolled up and air conditioner blowing.
Yes,
back to a time when the fire department would come to your home to rescue a cat
out of a tree. When a town parade was the hi-lite of the summer and where
everyone looked out for everyone else because you knew your neighbors by name.
I can
see the old road signs of an era long gone. Yes, I marvel at how life used
to be and ask even with all of our so-called modern convenience, how is life
better today? We have less time to just enjoy life.
No I am
not some old man longing for my younger days. I have not even hit the age
of 50 yet. But I do understand a time period when a man would hold a door
open for a woman. When a child, no matter how old, would never even think
about cussing in front of their parents or disrespecting their parents. I
long for the days when the local policeman walked his beat and chatted with
folks on the street and truly served and protected the community vs being
locked away and separated from that community by a fast moving vehicle with the
windows rolled up and air conditioner blowing.
Yes,
back to a time when the fire department would come to your home to rescue a cat
out of a tree. When a town parade was the hi-lite of the summer and where
everyone looked out for everyone else because you knew your neighbors by name.
So tell
me again how our fast paced, 24/7, electronic, non personal modern society is
better than the time of yesteryear? Tell me again how not knowing your
neighbor or your policeman or your fireman or even having a long term doctor is
better? Tell me again how having food loaded with chemicals and preservatives
just to increase shelf life, but deliver little nutritional value is better
than real food grown and prepared just before you eat it? Tell me again
how the lack of family dinners, trips to the beach, town parades is somehow of
great benefit to our society. Tell me again, please. And tell me
how.
Sure we
know a lot more in 2011 than in 1911 but at what cost did we learn? Could
we not have learned but still have kept our basic core values? I say we
could. I say we can have those core values again. I say we can go
back to a time when we could leave our front door unlocked all night in total
safety. I say we can go back to a time when we didn't have to pay someone
to watch over us and our possessions via some distant computer monitor and
charge us a monthly fee for the honor. I say we can go back to a time
when we could actually trust our local and national politicians. I say we can go back.
I like
holding a door open for a lady. I like talking with my neighbors and
getting to know them. I like small town parades. I like the small
town general store. Yes, I like Old Fashioned and in most cases prefer it
to New Fangled.
Now if I
could just have one more taste of my great aunts vanilla pudding, that would
complete my trip back in time. I miss you T.T.
Experience
for yourself what life was like. I bet that you too, will prefer Old
Fashioned. Simply because Old Fashioned really never goes out of
style. Old Fashioned still works,
period.
No comments:
Post a Comment