Future Shock

[rickps]

Years ago when I was in college (my majors were 'the wheel' and 'fire'), we were required to read a book by Alvin Toffler entitled Future Shock.  Although my recollection of the book's scope is somewhat fuzzy, Toffler's premise was that scientific and technological advances would increase at a pace that would eventually overwhelm mankind's ability to absorb.  In the 30 or so years since that book was written, this prediction seems to becoming a reality, at least for me.  I was reminded of all of this when, in a recent conversation, I began listing technologies that have come and (mostly) gone in my lifetime...

- Vacuum tubes
- Vinyl records (recorded at 78, 45, 33 1/3, and yes 16 2/3 RPM)
- 8 Track tapes
- Reel-to-reel tape recorders
- "Miracle" plastics
- 5 1/4 inch 'floppy' disks
- Automotive carburetors and points, use of a timing light, backyard tuneups
- Analog music recordings
- Telephones with rotating dials and bells that actually rang
- Telephone numbers that had names and no area codes (the phone number we had when I was a kid was Fieldstone 3-8278)
- And much, much more I'm certain

Am I ancient?  Yeah, maybe somewhat.  As an admitted technogeek, I find myself more and more future shocked and questioning whether our world is necessarily better because of computers, satellite transmission of news instantaneously around the globe, cell phones, microwave ovens, the Apple iWhatevers, and digital everything.  Ya gotta wonder...

Comments

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

My 85 year old mother certainly feels the same way!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I hear ya! My first phone number was 157. I still have my eight-track tapes. If you have something to play them on, you're welcome to them. I also have an electric typewriter:)

I don't think the world is better for all of the constant connection .. Oddly, I think our communication is less effective because of the devices. Nothing beats face-to face contact and communication.

HUGS!

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

I'd completely forgotten about typewriters! I first learned to type on a totally manual machine in high school. There really WAS a carriage that had to be returned. Then, in college, my roommate Dennis had one of the first IBM electric typewriters, a bastard child grown from the mating of a manual typewriter with a printer. And I still recall going to the New York Worlds Fair in the mid 1960's and using the first of the IBM 'golfball' Selectric typewriters. Gad, I feel even older right now!

As to communications, I believe that we've sacrificed importance and accuracy for 'instant' news. The media seem more intent on being the first rather than the best. Sad.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It is ... But that doesn't mean we have to change ... Like a vintage wine, we are getting better .. Plus, we can embrace the good parts of being just a wee bit older:) We have the memories.

[billeyler.livejournal.com]

"we have the memories"

Another assumption! My memories are fading with the wind...although I do remember learning to type on a manual Smith-Corona typewriter in 1969 as a sophomore in high school!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I guess I better not "assume":)

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

My parents gave me a Smith-Corona portable manual typewriter for my 15th (I think) birthday. At least it was better than underwear.

[qbear.livejournal.com]

Hehheh...my first phone number was Cedar 7-3422. I loved the named exchanges--my grandmother's was Twilight 9. And phones that you dialed--miss them too. And milkboxes. And the laundry man. Hula hoops. Propeller beanies. Pogo sticks. God I'm old.

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

And I'm even older, tell me about it! UGH, pass the Geritol!!

[jazzbearny.livejournal.com]

The exchange for my first telephone number was IVanhoe.
Please don't ask me to remember the rest of it. :)
One shocker I had in the 90s (this already is an ancient story - gads!) was when I was having a conversation with an avid baseball cards collector. He was telling me about how he was purchasing tons of new cards, so I asked him what he did with all the bubble gum.
He looked at me like I was a lunatic.