Do any of you just feel like completely retreating from the 21st century? (relatives, husband)
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I think most are missing the OP's intent. They pointed out that most "modern" conveniences were around before 2000. The built in obsolescence is another issue. I believe what they were really referring to was how much society and our interactions have changed. Yes, we have made great advances/strides. But the political discourse has brought out the worst in us, not the best.
When your fellow citizens believe that the best choices are a known liar and a con man, and both don't care about anyone but themselves and how the Presidency will benefit them, we are in trouble as a society.
At least that's what I think the OP was trying to say.
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve McDonald
I have a computer, cameras, TV, etc., but otherwise, I live in the 17th Century.
I doubt it. Did you stop going to the doctor and dentist? Did you grow your own food? Drink water from the tap? Use an indoor bathroom? Read a book? Drive a car? Use electricity? Breathe fresh air? Every single thing in our lives has been improved in the last 20 years, whether you know it or not.
Want to live like we did in the 17th century? Ok. Drink sewer water, crap in a hole, live in a rough hewn, I heated, dirt floor sod dry cabin in the woods, get randomly conscripted every time one of your leaders needs troops, live with no formal education, have most of you family die of cholera, yellow fever, or some other easily treated disease, and have the Church rule every aspect of your life.
No? Realize we've never had it so good. I used to live in a dry cabin in Alaska. Had to chop my own wood, carry my own water, etc. 25 miles from the road system. I still was enjoying the benefits of modern medicine and everything else that goes with that.
I don't think it is within the forum rules to bring politics into the discussion. I got in trouble and had posts deleted when I merely mentioned the name of a politician who frequently uses the term "folks".
Then again I could be wrong. I cannot make any sense out of the forum rules or how they are moderated. Maybe pointing out the poor choices for Presidential candidates is OK. I would also say that we have had many other cases in the past where the choices were extremely poor.
I think most are missing the OP's intent. They pointed out that most "modern" conveniences were around before 2000. The built in obsolescence is another issue. I believe what they were really referring to was how much society and our interactions have changed. Yes, we have made great advances/strides. But the political discourse has brought out the worst in us, not the best.
When your fellow citizens believe that the best choices are a known liar and a con man, and both don't care about anyone but themselves and how the Presidency will benefit them, we are in trouble as a society.
At least that's what I think the OP was trying to say.
Thank you, yes. I did not want to bring "politics" into it, but . . . yes, what you said.
I have no idea if any of the people who are posting on this thread have mental health issues. I do know that mental health issues are a serious concern at any age but become much more prevalent later in life. Retirement is often the trigger.
You are certainly correct. Walking and home remedies are rarely sufficient. Professional diagnosis and treatment can help but are often still lacking. My wife has a friend in her late 60s who just "snapped". My wife's friend was healthy, active and productive but she and her husband were slowing down and did not want to deal with a house. They decided to give up their house of 20 some years and signed papers to move into a cottage in a CCRC. The upcoming change pushed her into a sudden and deep depression. She has been under medical care for 6 months and still cannot drive a car, cannot dress herself or function and needs constant supervision.
I'm not sure if it's mental illness or just overzealous nostalgia, but we can't keep our heads in the sand and retreat from the world either.
I doubt it. Did you stop going to the doctor and dentist? Did you grow your own food? Drink water from the tap? Use an indoor bathroom? Read a book? Drive a car? Use electricity? Breathe fresh air? Every single thing in our lives has been improved in the last 20 years, whether you know it or not.
Want to live like we did in the 17th century? Ok. Drink sewer water, crap in a hole, live in a rough hewn, I heated, dirt floor sod dry cabin in the woods, get randomly conscripted every time one of your leaders needs troops, live with no formal education, have most of you family die of cholera, yellow fever, or some other easily treated disease, and have the Church rule every aspect of your life.
The point, I think, is that most of the advances that took us from an essentially Medieval to a Modern existence, transpired between the late 19th century and the mid 20th. Subsequent advances were more muted and incremental. Electricity, anesthesia, public sanitation, penicillin, the internal combustion engine, nuclear power, lasers, computers... These were all more or less in place by 1960. At least from a non-specialist's viewpoint, it would seem that the big leaps in improving quality of life, in improving Man's command over nature, had already happened many decades ago.
The point, then, isn't to repudiate science and engineering, or to regard them as nefarious manipulations; but to legitimately wonder, "What have you done for me lately"?
A person born in 1900, shortly before the advent of controllable powered airplane flight, would have reached retirement-age just before the Apollo manned moon landing. What a transformation, during just one lifetime! A member of Generation-X, born right around the time of the Apollo landing, would have by now spent a lifetime wondering: "What a fantastic triumph of technology and of the exploratory spirit it must have been, for humans to walk on the moon, and to return safely! Oh, would that I could live long enough, to witness such a feat again!"
Love the 21st century. As a kid imagined a world with a real Dick Tracy watch. Got that plus. Now as I am approaching 70 looking forward to a virtual reality room and my first few adventures. All I can say is it will be a real time Bada Bing experience that Tony and the boys would be proud of.
I think most are missing the OP's intent. They pointed out that most "modern" conveniences were around before 2000. The built in obsolescence is another issue. I believe what they were really referring to was how much society and our interactions have changed. Yes, we have made great advances/strides. But the political discourse has brought out the worst in us, not the best.
When your fellow citizens believe that the best choices are a known liar and a con man, and both don't care about anyone but themselves and how the Presidency will benefit them, we are in trouble as a society.
At least that's what I think the OP was trying to say.
Chill and don't expect your life to be created and played out by someone else for you. Folks are stressing out about an election that hasn't even happened. The interesting thing is that investors both domestically and international are still buying our bonds and investing in our equities. I guess they don't watch talking head news stations.
I think a great many things have substantially improved in recent years. Computers, emails, smartphones, and the internet have revolutionized many aspects of our lives. We have extensive and rapid access to information. We can easily keep in contact with friends.
Gays and people who are different have been gaining respect and rights that never existed in the past.
Healthcare has advanced. A great many diseases can be successfully treated. Those include mental health issues such as better understanding and treatment for autism, PTSD, and concussions just to mention a few.
Surely there are some negatives. Religious fanatics are high on the list. Of course there is nothing new about the harm caused by religious bigotry. That is as old as civilization. I am even hopeful that this time there were be some corrections for the wars, repression and harm caused in the name of religious belief.
You are asking for agreement by those who might feel as you do. I must let you down. You are not asking for any help with your feelings so I will avoid the obvious conclusions and suggestions.
I agree with all of this and feel sorry for those who dwell on times past. Everything has improved and I personally can't wait until robots do everything for us!
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