The Past

The Past...

What is the past?

Can people change?

Do things really change?

I have been immersed in the world of Bridgeton and the Gilded Age, and I am rewatching Downton Abby again.  I seem so mesmerized by all the dresses, china, silverware, and the dancing. I look at our world, and so much of this sort of thing is gone. We don't even call each other anymore.  While some of it seems a bit over the top, I think we should have some of it back.  I think it would make life a bit better and more civilized. 

Communication

What if we actually wrote letters?  There was a time when it was really the only method of communication.  Most letters started with a mention of the weather, then health.  Some included recent events and even a bit of juicy gossip.  While I would appreciate a well-carved writing desk with a dip pen.  A chance to gaze out and appreciate the well-manicured garden. Sealing wax is probably not needed, but it would really jazz things up. 

A phone call might even be nice. One where one knows a number, picks up a receiver, and dials some numbers.  On the other end, the person answers, only to be surprised to find out who is calling. No auto-dial, no photo appearing on the screen, no number blocking, or auto messaging an excuse as to why the connection must wait. It was just a simple phone call to a friend. 

Maybe we could just drop by for a cup of coffee or a short visit.  Maybe a visit that is spontaneous and not planned in a week.  No expectations of a grand charcuterie board or host of fine pastries.  Just good old coffee and maybe a stale donut.  

As things currently work, our new technology seems to be pushing us further and further apart.  We screen our calls. We set up our communication devices to notify the caller when the phones are on silent. People walk down the street looking at their phones wearing large noise cancelling head phones.  We are drifting further and further away from each other. Ease of communication has become isolation. 

Somehow, we no longer talk to each other, ask personal questions, or even know the questions to ask. I am a question asker.  I ask all sorts of things of everyone.  Where do you live? How did you come to live in the Spokane area?  Where did you go to school? Do you have a family?  What's your favorite Asian restaurant? Have you ever done Bloomsday?  Do you remember the winter of 1969? Did you see John Denver at Expo 74?  They go on and on and on.... What I have found is that my daughter is horrified by the litany.  I, in turn, can not believe what she does not ask her friends and co-workers. How do we find out about people if we don't ask them questions, or write letters, or call them?