From $300 sneakers to all-cameras-all-the-time-everywhere, from party-wedding-baby-funeral planners to a Dick Tracy world where everything you could ever want to know is encapsulated in minuscule computers that are smaller than Mr. Tracy's famous wristwatch, the world has truly gone insane. The entire world in a pill box. Charming.
For safety's sake, we now have laws that dictate the wearing of a ridiculous-looking helmet for the simple joy of riding a bicycle, laws that govern the interior of our cars (seat belts and car seats for kids, head-rests and bucket seats, to name a few) laws for just about anything that, a few short decades ago, was unregulated and a lot more fun, even if somewhat 'dangerous.'
Cash money is just about extinct since the 'smart card' has taken over every transaction we could possibly make (allowing the government and everyone else to track our every move.) Cash registers, and the attendant must-have knowledge of simple arithmetic, have been replaced by computers and stupid UPC bar codes that relegate the user to robot status. DING! INSTANT MATH, PUT IT IN A ENVIRONMENT-WRECKING PLASTIC BAG AND BEGONE! How much fun is that?
The wonderful, beautiful jukeboxes of old have now been replaced by and squished into flat-as-a-pancake discs that may be longer-lasting than vinyl records, but I still prefer the old album covers, artwork and liner notes. (I also miss the fact that a quarter used to buy three songs. I can't even guess what it costs today because, as much as possible, I adamantly refuse to participate in the madness of this era.)
I'm especially peeved that newspapers are also falling victim to these ludicrous times. I for one will never ever have a cup of coffee without a newspaper directly in front of me, not as long as I can help it. Reading anything, including the latest news, on a monitor screen is just not my cup of tea (pardon the pun) and never will be.
The adage that "life was more fun in black and white" rings true to these ears. In the ceaseless quest to improve the world under the guise of "progress," we are losing so much more than we are gaining. In comparison to today, life may have been vastly imperfect in decades gone by, but it sure was a hell of a lot more lively and amusing.
And, Dick Tracy, wherever you may be, a pox on you and your nefarious little wristwatch!
