So what’s really so new?
As a kid, I was in awe of Dick Tracy’s watch phone. It was something so futuristic and wondrous, so, well, high-tech – even though the word didn’t exist back then. It was probably before the only high I can remember, which was high fidelity stereo. I loved reading comics and science fiction, and believing that by the time I turned thirty I would have a wrist phone, a portable record player and my own space ship.
Travelling to the moon would be like catching a bus for a long weekend and cars wouldn’t use roads, they would fly through the air on invisible skyways. One dread though was that by the time I turned thirty we would probably be invaded by aliens, but it would be all right because we would all have gamma ray guns to protect ourselves.
This period of imagining was at a time when my parents didn’t have a dishwasher, washing machine or refrigerator and television was still in the realms of science fiction. Well, at least in the little bush town I lived in as a kid anyway. The thought of colour television hadn’t even made it onto my futuristic radar.
So here I am today with my iPhone in my pocket – video calling around the world on Facetime. I’ve got my iPad, wi-fi, multi-zoned wireless hi-fi, wireless printer, dishwasher, washing machine and refrigerator. Oh and yes, a flat screen digitised super deep pixilated colour television.
All I seem to be missing is my own personal space ship and my gamma ray gun.
Memories of childhood like most things in life are usually viewed through rose tinted spectacles. If the technology we now enjoy was available back then, I wonder what the world of today would be like Derek. Maybe we would have that Gamma Ray Gun and that personal Spaceship – who knows.
Life back then despite its frugality was much simpler and safer. Or is that merely my rose tinted spectacled view I wonder. :)
Maybe you could invent your own gamma ray gun? And patent it? Or possibly take over the world, depending on personal preference… :D
My six year old referred to the "olden days" when they only made Nintendo DS's instead of Nintendo DSIxls. I guess it seems like a long time ago since it was one third of his lifespan!
Oh Johanna! That must have way back in the days of Iphone 3GS for the young fella! lol
I have been trying to take over the world Ruth. But clearly with very limited success. :P
How strange! I was just thinking the other day how wonderful it use to be to get in the car and drive without anyone being able to find me until I reached my destination. I hear lots of talk about all of the things our grandparents saw happen in their lifetimes. The heck with that, how about all that we've seen!!!
We've had a busy generation Cheri. And it just seems to get faster and busier. I remember my first 'brick' mobile phone as if it was just yesterday. That was the start of it all huh?