Over the years, I have often heard the statement from many how they desire to go back to the “good old days”, which, for many, often means they would love to go back to a time in their lives when life seemed simpler, or at least have it that way in today’s busy world. Many reminisce about that season in their life, primarily when they were younger that brings back fond memories. It could have been a time of being with family; fellowshiping with good, close friends, whether in our childhood or even younger and later adult years; where the concentration had a lot less technology involved distracting us and there was more honest, heart to heart sharing and human communication. Where less people had their heads stuck in a cell phone, tablet, big screen TV or a computer and more people took time to just sit and talk. Where life was not at such a fast pace as it is today. And where we had some of our most golden and heartwarming moments.
Having grown up as a young boy in the 1960’s and being a teen and in my early 20’s during the 1970’s, I understand what it was like before all the rush of technology. The joy of hanging out with my friends, riding our bikes, playing basketball for hours on a neighborhood blacktop court; exploring the woods nearby our homes; enjoying an amazing meal my Mom made for dinner, sitting with my Dad watching boxing matches on our old black and white TV; visiting our family in the New York area, whether in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, or around Long Island, where I grew up. Like many, I have fond memories of these times I enjoyed those many years ago where, at least outwardly, things seemed to be so much simpler, life seemed more accepting and there was not the pressure of today’s society that seems to want everything “now”. However, while I did have those pleasant moments, many, frozen in time in my memory and are reflected upon as a treasure to me personally, truth be told….. I don’t want to go back to the “good old days” ….
Why, you may ask? While I do agree that technology has stripped society of some of its relational skills and even worse, when COVID hit, it did some major damage socially, technology has also made some great improvements in today’s society. For one, let me state some reasons why I don’t want to go back to the “good old days” from a technological standpoint.
Having been involved in IT (Information Technology) for decades, I’ve always had an appreciation for the advancement of technology and consider it a blessing to have been on the cutting edge of it over the years. Compared to times past, I would much prefer the following:
1 – The Internet. There’s a wealth of information (some good, some bad), but if good, can greatly save you time as opposed to back in the day when we had to go to a public library and search through a card catalog for a book that might already be checked out to someone else. I also like being able to look up information on the Internet.
2 – Being able to pay my bills online as opposed to always having to mail out checks through “snail mail”. This is a great blessing to me.Don’t get me wrong; there are still some things I pay by check, but not much. I also like being able to do banking online.
3 – My iPhone. I do not want to go back to dialing the rotary or push button phones I grew up with as a young man, or having to carry a bunch of coins with me whenever I leave the house so that in case I get stuck, I’d have enough change on me in case I had to hunt down a phone booth. I like carrying a cell phone with me in case my car breaks down and I get stuck somewhere or some other emergency. A simple phone call from my cell phone to someone and I’m good.
4 – Sending out emails for sharing information instead of having to write multiple letters, although I will admit that a personal letter or card for my birthday is more personal to me than an e-card. But that’s just me.
5 – Ordering some things online, specifically something that cannot be found in any of the stores in the area. It’s nice having those things show up on your doorstep without having to deal with a crowded store.
6 – Streaming media. I like being able to watch our church services online when I am out of town or if I miss a service. (I will say this; I still prefer and believe that gathering together face to face is far better than sitting home and streaming it online, which, unfortunately, many still do since COVID); I also like binge watching some old TV shows I used to watch back in the day like the original Perry Mason, or Columbo
And I could go on and on of other things I enjoy concerning technology. But now, turning to what I don’t miss in other areas, primarily, relationally. The “good old days” had its issues too. Everything in society was not always “peachy”. If you grew up during the 60’s and 70’s, there was a lot of social unrest in the land. The country wasn’t doing that great economically. There was an energy crisis during that time and I remember getting into long lines to gas up the car. That was not fun. There were protests worldwide and clashes in city streets concerning America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The Watergate scandal shook our nation to the core. There was a lot of civil and racial unrest. As a young black man back then, I faced a ton of racism in high school, at jobs I held and even when I went away to college, sometimes being called the “N” word for no reason. These were not very fond moments for me back then.
Please don’t misunderstand me. In no way am I saying that everything from back in the day was bad. It wasn’t, because despite all that went on for the good or the bad, as I said earlier, I still had many great moments that to this day I still treasure and always will. However, the greatest moment for me was the day I fully surrendered my life to Jesus Christ who delivered me out of the darkness of Atheism and drug use, and completely turned my life around during the late 1970’s. I was eternally changed and have never looked back.
So, to sum it up, would I want to go back to the “good old days”? Not me. I’m happy and satisfied where God has me today, more so than ever. And while technology has its bad points, I still like my iPhone, streaming media, online Bible apps and the good (not the bad) that technology has given to us so far. How about you? What are your thoughts on technology? Good or bad? Blessing or curse? And do you often reminisce about the “good old days” and prefer those days as opposed to today? Or, like me, you have fond memories, but would prefer today instead? Send us an email if you get the chance and let us know your thoughts. Love to hear from you on this. God Bless! You can send your thoughts to info@thechimneyrockchronicle.com.
