time flies
By Elizabeth
@Poppylicious (11133)
October 14, 2016 9:20am CST
One of my top three favourite nephews of all time turned eighteen yesterday. As I said to his mother and father, Happy OMG I’m the Parent of an Adult Day!
It made me think about how much has changed in the last eighteen years, since I was first honoured with the title of Auntie. Not just personally, although there have obviously been huge changes to my life since then; I am not now the fresh-faced young teacher in her first teaching position, going home to a boyfriend who abused her.
1998 was a long time ago, in terms of technology. Although the internet, email and mobile phones existed, none were yet a part of everyday life for the majority of common folk. Technology has exploded into our reality and my nephew and his generation have never known a world without it. Life is instant now. Life is impatient. Life is always there, technology providing no means for escape. Life lacks privacy. Life begs for reassurances and proudly struts around like a beautiful peacock; ugly is hidden, but lurks just beneath the surface, always threatening to jump out and reveal itself.
There is nowhere to hide.
And yet in many ways the world hasn’t changed. There is still hunger, war and poverty. There are still places where people live in fear of their governments. Children still die. Man doesn’t yet live on the Moon. Christmas still involves the horrid stench of cinnamon. EastEnders is still on the BBC, which itself is still broadcasting.
But this is just background noise, things that will never change. They help us cope with the fact that if our 1998 selves were sent to 2016, we would freak out at the technology available. Knowledge in the palm of your hand? No way! Talking to family on the other side of the world, in real time, for free, with video? No freakin’ way! Using your phone to tell your washing machine to turn on? No, this can’t be happening! Cars that can drive themselves? You have got to be kidding me! Skinny 3D tellyboxes? Lolz, such a joke!
If we were to return to 1998 how would we manage to survive?
Technology will continue to silently creep into our lives, bringing more pleasures and making more subtle differences to our lives. 2034? Bring it on; but slowly, please.
31 people like this
24 responses
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
14 Oct 16
Excellent article. It's even more astounding to me, since I am much older than you. The changes in technology are mind-blowing. I'm going to "suggest" your article to some of my followers. I hope many people read it. Good job!
10 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Awww, thank you. That makes me happy. Certainly a lovely way to begin my Monday. :)
4 people like this
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
14 Oct 16
I'd be happy if all the fancy-schmancy stuff wasn't even here @Poppylicious . I would however miss not having more than 3 channels on the TV.
7 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Oh, I don't know. Less choice appeals to me, like when you go to a restaurant and the menu has too many things you love, and you just end up getting the safe choice!
3 people like this
@MGjhaud (23240)
• Philippines
30 Oct 16
@ramapo17 hahaha same thing with my parents.. my other nephews and niece help them out with other electronics we have in the house if it gets busted. i remember when we changed our cable provider and my dad messed up with the channels, my then 6yr old nephew helped him figure it out.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471575)
• Switzerland
17 Oct 16
@Poppylicious In some sort this is true, but we are all alone now.
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
For me, the internet and technological advances have been a good thing. It means I can socialise and feel a part of the world without getting dressed!
3 people like this
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
14 Oct 16
What a great post. It sure got to thinking to back in time and have things have changed. Since we have lived it we could go back in time and survive the way things use to be but for the young people today they would not even know how to begin to live without all the technology that we have today. Most don't remember a time before the internet and cell phones.
7 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Absolutely. And the way some of them act, you'd be forgiven for thinking their mobile phones are a limb or organ from their bodies which they would die without.
3 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
15 Oct 16
My phone did't work for some hours, and I went to a store where I thought they could fix it, but the guy I talked to couldn't.. 
He told me to contact the phone provider with email..
But then I met a friend and asked him.. It took about a minute for him to fix it.. 
No need to send email.. 
Happy we have young friends who know more about technology than we oldies.. 
I look forward to the time when we get young again, as the Bible promises - (Psalm 37, Revelation 21)
He told me to contact the phone provider with email..
But then I met a friend and asked him.. It took about a minute for him to fix it.. No need to send email.. Happy we have young friends who know more about technology than we oldies..
I look forward to the time when we get young again, as the Bible promises - (Psalm 37, Revelation 21)5 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
18 Oct 16
@Poppylicious - Good question.. But I have lived for many years without any phone and we found some ways to call if necessary - do you remember those phone boxes..?? We put in some coins and dialed a number.. Yes, I am that old.. 
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
But how on earth did you survive without a working phone for a few hours?!? *grin*
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
18 Oct 16
@buenavida To get one of my badges when I was a Brownie I had to use one of those phones! I must be old too!
3 people like this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
15 Oct 16
I love technology. I always have. I grew up in a time when there were no computers or cellphones or anything like that. But I used to have talks with my friend and we would always fantasize about instant music and instant things to happen. I always wanted what Apple gave us years later. I sometimes wish I was born in this generation. I love all my Apple gadgets and all the technology we have. I was getting into computers in the 90's and then I saw the birth of the internet. What an amazing thing it is. I doubt I could go back and live a life without any of my new found technology. I would have to bring it with me.
5 people like this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
17 Oct 16
@Poppylicious LOL. Now that would be interesting to find out. Unless the aliens had something to do with it. Also I do believe that we have been and still are in the dark with loads of technology that we should have now.
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Maybe that's what happened to make it explode into our lives ... some time travelling geek couldn't go back without it!
3 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
14 Oct 16
Got married in 1976. We didn't get a desktop computer in her house until 1998. Now we have 5 devices (laptops and desktops), a Kindle, a laptop my daughter borrows from school, and did I mention cell phones with Internet access? I love technology. Don't know how we got along without it. But I'm sure if we had to do without it, we could. Still … I'm glad it's here!
5 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
17 Oct 16
@Poppylicious ~ Yeah. It's called "withdrawal".
3 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
1 Nov 16
@Poppylicious We did it before and if we had to we would do it again.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
We would get by, wouldn't we?? We'd have to learn to adapt and there would be a messy few days with everybody going cold turkey, but we'd get there.
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
I think I would. But anyone born since the turn of the century would probably struggle.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (80030)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Oct 16
Time certainly does fly. Hope your nephew had a great birthday.
6 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Noooo! I don't want breakneck speed. I want slow and meandering!
3 people like this
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
14 Oct 16
Happy Birthday to your nephew! Yes things have changed a lot. Also, I watch East Enders, just saying. LoL.
6 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
I've watched EastEnders since it began when I was a child. Sometimes I wonder why, but I just can't live without it!
3 people like this
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
17 Oct 16
@Poppylicious I am a bit behind but I watch a few episodes here and there every week!
3 people like this
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
15 Oct 16
Nostalgic vs futuristic....well at least these two words pop into the mindIt's amazing how fast we can get things done with all the superb technolgy available yet at the same time we cannot ever get things done because the faster we go the less we know when to stop. Take the microwave - cooking was for some a joy and delight but to many a hassle, but now instant. Yet with the extra time gained, has it been converted into quality time or instead to get some other "more important things" done.
The word that comes to my mind now is lunatic, lol!~
It seems the more time we gained, the less time we actually use to invest into things that are productive and meaningful, but rather into the unending cycle of chasing after the wind one pursues the ever elusive utopia when all we should do is counting our blessings. This is when we need to take a step back into the past, and look into the future from that vantage point and remember what was deemed most important in the first place
In spring in the azure skies the skylark sing
In summer a time to pursue dreams and glamour?
In fall did we our loved ones call
Or was it up till winter that only we realized the things that matter
And here's what the generation of today will say - YOLO, you only live once!~
Let's live life to the fullest
It's amazing how fast we can get things done with all the superb technolgy available yet at the same time we cannot ever get things done because the faster we go the less we know when to stop. Take the microwave - cooking was for some a joy and delight but to many a hassle, but now instant. Yet with the extra time gained, has it been converted into quality time or instead to get some other "more important things" done.
The word that comes to my mind now is lunatic, lol!~It seems the more time we gained, the less time we actually use to invest into things that are productive and meaningful, but rather into the unending cycle of chasing after the wind one pursues the ever elusive utopia when all we should do is counting our blessings. This is when we need to take a step back into the past, and look into the future from that vantage point and remember what was deemed most important in the first place
In spring in the azure skies the skylark sing
In summer a time to pursue dreams and glamour?
In fall did we our loved ones call
Or was it up till winter that only we realized the things that matter
And here's what the generation of today will say - YOLO, you only live once!~
Let's live life to the fullest4 people like this
@zweeb82 (5653)
• Malaysia
17 Oct 16
@Poppylicious little humans? Err..what's that?
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
We have more time, but we convert it into wasted time. We are silly. I love that little humans as seasons analogy. So sweet.
4 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37357)
• Toccoa, Georgia
15 Oct 16
Time does go by fast. I sometimes wish I could go back in time to a year like 1998 not just to remember what it was like with a lot less technology but there are certain things I do wish I could change in certain areas of my life.
3 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
31 Oct 16
@LeaPea2417 I think there are many of us that agree with you. I know I do.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
16 Oct 16
mercy, now i'm kinda bummed out with yer chronological description 'f the past 18 years :( i wonder how loud those 18 year old's 'd scream if'n we sent 'em back to 1998? ya know, 's the age they'd be now? they'd no doubt feel quite isolated....
fer myself, i don't wish anymore technology 'nless they find cures fer cancer 'n other maladies that plague the world.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
17 Oct 16
@jennyjoy i see the benefits 'f some 'f technology - but 'tis also many pitfalls. seems some folks've fergotten how to use their brain 'n figure schtuff out. if'n there comes a day when all goes dark 't aint gonna be purty :(
3 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Bless them, they'd throw paddies like a two year old!
4 people like this
@WorDazza (15830)
• Manchester, England
17 Oct 16
I have a 23 year old son and a 20 year old daughter and they can't get their heads around how primitive life was when i was their age.
After I graduated in 1986 I was working in the defence industry with some cutting edge technology. The systems we were producing, which were responsible for the defence of the nation, were using less processing power than the phones most teenagers have these days.
In 2034 I'll be approaching 70 so I'm not that keen to bring it on no matter how exciting technology may be by then!!!
4 people like this
@Poppylicious (11133)
•
17 Oct 16
Being a teenager today must be so exhausting and stressful!
3 people like this
@jennyjoy (1957)
• Bangalore, India
18 Oct 16
@Poppylicious It is. I look at my teens.They are multitasking all the time. looking at them makes me exhausted.
3 people like this
