Modern life is supposed to be better, isn’t it? We’re more productive, faster, more efficient due to technological advances. Aren’t we?
Exhibit A. Turning on the TV
It used to be that I pulled a switch and turned a dial. Now, we have live streaming video – Netflix, Amazon Video, Verizon FIOS. Recently, it took my husband and I twenty-five minutes to cue up the end of a movie because the “Smart” TV kept hiccupping. After resetting the router and starting and re-starting several times, then finally accessing the video via the PlayStation, we were able to watch the brilliant end to Bigfoot: The Movie.
Exhibit B. Paying a bill
It used to be that I wrote a check and stuffed it into an envelope with a stamp. Now, I go online to pay. Recently, after logging into our health insurance account to verify the balance on the health savings card, I navigated to the bill-paying portion of the local medical center’s website. I needed the patient’s name, date of birth, ZIP code, and account number. Easy peasy. Then the credit card number, expiration date, code from the back of the card, billing amount – Oops! I stepped away from the computer to use the bathroom and my transaction timed out. Begin again. Oh, I need the patient account number again? Gotta dig it out of the recycling bin. Uh-oh. Timed out. Begin again.
Do you sometimes wish you lived in simpler times? Here is what stops me: penicillin. Share on XThis isn’t news to you, is it? I’m guessing you experience similar frustrations many times a day. Searching for account names and passwords, troubleshooting electronic devices, resetting passwords, researching options, locating account numbers, recalling passwords, passwords, passwords!
Life’s supposed to be better, yet I find myself comparing today’s lifestyle with what I think life would have been like one-hundred fifty years ago. Yes, things are easier today. Most of us don’t work hard for our food or to launder our clothes. But simpler? No, life is complex, and I long for something uncomplicated.
Maybe I romanticize they way things used to be. I know I do. One word keeps me from wishing myself back to the 19th century: penicillin.
Do you sometimes wish you lived in simpler times?
Wha stops me? Insulin. Not to mention the increasing rate of new technology development of diabetes-management technology even in just the past 3 years. This helps TheKid to almost have the same A1C as a person without diabetes.
Yep. That would definitely be a deal breaker for a return trip to the “good old day.”
I do crave a simpler life, quite often. Maybe it comes down to character a little bit too. I’m quite introverted, so find the pace of modern life – and the interaction of it! – overwhelming at times. I guess it’s exciting too though. We can fly! Travel the world! My daughters have opportunities beyond marriage and raising children of their own. Maybe the secret lies in creating a little sanctuary we can retreat to….
Yes, the communication/interaction is a little tough on us introverts! But as you say, lots of opportunity too.
I definitely wish I could go back to simpler times. I love my modern conveniences but every now and then I wish I could stop everything and go back to the 1800’s and just live for a day or more. What would it be like to farm all day, or walk to my neighbors because that’s the only way I could socialize, or milk a cow if I wanted milk. But then I’m sure I’d love to come back.
That’s the perfect solution – just a short visit! Even the local Amish here use cell phones and have boom boxes in their buggies, so I think time travel is the only way left to go.