Friday Five-Pre-Post Modern

Singing Owl said: “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.”

1. What modern convenience/invention could you absolutely, positively not live without?

Well, how far are we going back? I could not do without indoor plumbing. Could not, could not. I do not camp. For that reason, and bugs.


2. What modern convenience/invention do you wish had never seen the light of day? Why?

I’m not a big fan of cell phones, although I have one. I’m tired of thinking that every other person in the street has schizophrenia because they’re talking to an unknown person only to discover the dreaded cell phone. And they talk loud because, you know, NY is a loud place. And more than once I’ve replied to someone who was actually talking to a phone. “and, hello to you too!”




3. Do you own a music-playing device older than a CD player? More than one? If so, do you use it (them)?

I just retired my turntable because of space issues, but does a first generation ipod count?

4. Do you find the rapid change in our world exciting, scary, a mix...or something else?

 
I find it Exciting, except for global warming and war. But war has always been with us, alas

5. What did our forebears have that we have lost and you'd like to regain? Bonus points if you have a suggestion of how to begin that process.

 
Well, my forbears had space and unfortunately for my family, that was the final frontier. I miss that. I guess we could move to a place where space is affordable, but I love NY.