What will future generations make of us – part 2).
Last week’s blog I admit got a bit serious. But, that’s alright, and whether you agree or disagree with my position on what future generations will think of us I don’t think it does any harm to think about it. Perhaps, in some small way if we care more about what future generations will think of us it might change our behaviour.
However, as you read this I am hopefully making my way down through France and looking forward to that lightens my mood. Therefore, in contrast to last week I wonder what the future will make of some of things (or obsessions) that we all seem to take so seriously. So I will now take myself forward about a thousand years and use the hindsight-a-scope, which as we all know is the most accurate of instruments. At this point I would add that while I point an accusing finger at all of this, I am not immune to any of it. Anyway, let’s take ourselves to the year 3,000 AD and look back
The car
More and more people were living in cities and yet their obsession with owning a car continued. Most of the time the machines sat on drives, roads, in garages doing nothing. People lusted after new models and changed frequently even though it was a great way of losing money. Households (even in cities) with two people often had two cars. Even your basic family cars had top speeds of over 120 mph (190Kph) and yet in a city they barely got above 30 (50) if they we’re lucky. Then there was the trend to large four wheel drive (for what mounting kerbs?) vehicles that mostly had one person in them? Not to mention the pollution, the congestion and the consuming of much needed energy. Why? How could they be so selfish? Could they not see the lunacy in all of this? On any logical basis this was so wrong.
Brands
Seriously, what was that all about? You stick a name on something, make that name ‘cool’, ‘trendy’, call it what you like and charge, well whatever they liked. It was often less about the item than the name on it, witness the market for counterfeit goods. Why on earth did a specific name make so much difference?
Staying in touch all the time
Did people really go around glued to their personal modes of communication? Did they really interrupt people who were actually in front of them to take a call? How rude.
Sport
What was with the obsession in crazy sports? Opposing teams kicking a ball (and often it seems each other) into the other’s net and getting paid an extortionate mount of their money to do so. Then there’s hitting balls thrown at you with a variety of sticks, most of which then also involve running after the ball that’s been hit. There was cycling and running until they almost collapsed with exhaustion when they had perfectly good motorised transport. It seems early twenty first century people could turn almost anything into a sport
Fashion
I know everyone likes to be an individual and clothing has a lot to do with that. But having said that, they then followed, often slavishly, ‘fashion’ which changed regularly so they all had to go out and buy new things to look different but the same again. Skirts would be short, then long, then short again. Trousers would be narrow, wide, narrow. Collars big, thin, none ?? How did they keep up and why?
Money
Finally the one thing that seems to have been at the root of everything else. People always wanted or ‘needed’ more. Even people who had more than knew what to do with always seemed to want more, why? And what did they do with money, they bought more and more stuff, cars, fashion, extortionately priced branded items. People equated money with happiness despite numerous examples to the contrary. The one thing that was sure was that billions with little or no money struggled to survive while others had more than they could spend in a thousand lifetimes. How did that make sense?
I am sure there are many more things that when looked back on won’t make much sense, another blog maybe.
As always views, ideas and comments are welcome.
Ian Martyn
A creative individual in 3000AD will bring back Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and just show clips from the major cable news channels, and for laughs searches for this or that yet-to-be-seen monster.
We used to do a break the ice thing where you were given an everyday object and asked to comment on it as if you were an archeologist a thousand years in the future.
Love your use of the hindsight-o-scope for our present obsessions. I ponder on them and their impact on our daily living. I don’t like technology but it is a trend I’ve had to adapt to, such as every other things you’ve mentioned in this article. I still love camping, the sea, the sky, moon, the heavens. Simple and delicious conversation & laughter Anything beautiful in lufe & mother earth has to offer to us. Wouldn’t trade it for any lavish obsession in the world ever. That’s just my opinion I’m just saying. Great article as usual Ian. Love it!
Thanks and glad you like the article. There are so many things you can add to your list: A walk with friends, a good beer, the first snow drops in spring, laughing until the tears run down your face. Money can’t buy them, except the beer of course.