My eldest son has a theory that everything we really need was invented by the 1970s*, and thinking about it, I believe he has a point. Computers and mobiles (for example) are great, but do we actually need them? We never used to be in touch with everyone all the time. And time was when we were happy to write letters, use typewriters, look things up in reference books etc. We only think we need all these things because we've got them; we were fine before they came along.
For myself, I think all the best inventions happened before 1970; the car, the washing machine, the vacuum cleaner among them (the washing machine would get my vote as the best. After all, horses are more fun than cars, and the old carpet sweepers did the job adequately. Hand washing, on the other hand, is the pits). What do you think?
*The son himself was invented in 1972. I know. I was there.
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He has a point. I think most things 'invented' since 1970 are just new versions of things we already had anyway, aren't they? Phones and computers were already around in some form. I can't think of anything totally new.
ReplyDeleteYou have a point, Patsy!
DeleteAren't things just quicker and smaller now...and although we don't need what we have at the moment, we can't put a cork back in the bottle, and return to happier times..as much as we would sometimes like to.
ReplyDeleteSad in a way, though, isn't it, Libby?
DeleteYour son is a profound thinker. He raises the question of what really constitutes an 'invention'. For example, a vacuum cleaner is just a souped-up carpet sweeper, which is just a new kind of brush. I'll have to think about this, profoundly.
ReplyDeleteMy son went to the mobile shop and asked for a DOWN grade. They couldn't believe it. He has to have a phone on him as he's a doctor. But he drives me mad because he refuses to text, and texting is the best way to contact him when he's at work. As to your other points, you are absolutely right, Tim!
DeleteI'd make exceptions for medical advances, otherwise I'd be quite happy back in Georgian times.
ReplyDeleteYes. Medical advances are an exception. Good point,
DeleteZ.
Washing machine gets my vote. When first married hand-washed but had the luxury of a spin-dryer (I can picture it now wobbling across the kitchen).
ReplyDeleteRest of inventions I might, just might be able to live without.
Anna :o]
I had my mum's old twin tub. Good, but you had to dance attendance on it so it was time-consuming. But anyone who's tried hand washing jeans will know how I feel about washing machines!
DeleteI agree. I do love the washing machine, but I would miss the dishwasher more if I had to choose between them.
ReplyDeleteI think we felt more free when we didn't have to keep in constant contact with everyone. There's nowhere to hide these days. I would also love to have conversations with the family without them glancing at small screens all the time.
I could do without the dishwasher. But agree absolutely about small screens, and the attendant lack of manners!
DeleteThe washing machine and the fast-boiling kettle (the electric kind) are certainly my favourite inventions, along with the shower (oh! How could I live without a nice hot shower!). As for computers and mobile phones, well, they do have their advantages and disadvantages, and like almost everything else, they can be used or misused - just like a breadknife can be used to cut a slice of bread as well as stab someone to death.
ReplyDeleteBut then you could batter someone to death with a table leg, and tables are quite handy! Do you have a violent side, Meike...?
ReplyDeleteI do indeed, but I have been keeping it under control very well ever since those tantrum-times when I smashed my entire palace built of lego bricks to smithereens because I could not find one particular brick.
DeleteApart from the washing machine, which has to be the best invention ever, I would say the mobile phone takes some beating. To know that you can always text or call someone in an emergency is brilliant. I know some people who flatly refuse to grasp modern technology but are still thankful for their mobiles.
ReplyDeleteAh, but if you'd never heard of them you wouldn't miss them, would you?
DeleteI'm sure if you wish to return to the pre-1970s there are many countries in the world where the standard of living would be pretty much the same but I rather think you would soon tire of it. No modern computers would mean that many (possibly most) modern medical advances would not yet have been made. I could go on, and on but on this one, Frances, we disagree.
ReplyDeleteI do make an exception for medical advances, GB, but when's I see people all walking about glued to their mobiles, or texting, or,listening to their iPods, I feel really sad
ReplyDeleteI want to say something smart-arsed like "the condom" but the missus and I are an old-fashioned, virginal-at-marriage couple who never used a condom in our entire lives, so I do not know what I am talking about, obviously.
ReplyDeleteCondoms are pre-1970, so we could still have them!
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