Call it reminiscing, or day dreaming, but I remember the times when there seemed to be much less stress than exists today. Can you feel the difference? This world has changed. Dramatically. And I’m thinking about yesteryear…
It’s an “almost I wish” moment to return to simpler times.
Some of you will remember Black and White TV. I’m not sure when color became so important, but I never knew the Wizard of Oz started off in B&W and when Dorothy stepped out of her tornado wrecked house, it changed over to color. I never knew, at least, until we watched it at a cousins house and they had color TV in the late 60’s.
The World Had Changed! Not only a new land, but a new color!
Today? Soap Operas Are Reality
Do you remember the old time soap operas (not sure why they were named operas because they never sang their part…?). Maybe it’s better to simply call them Day Time Drama’s. With the operative word being “drama”.
I never remember them being a part of our childhood diet, but I do remember their advertising. “The Edge of Night”, “As The World Turns”, “General Hospital”.
It seems these dramas were designed to always have a cliffhanger, something that would draw you back to the next episode. Drama. Intrigue. Daring actions. Secrets. Startling Reveals. They seemed full of cheating moments, daring lies, and infighting!
I’m not sure what the draw was because, like I said, we were never introduced to them as something that was for growing minds to watch.
Only mature minds could handle it, I guess.
Today
Today, we live in a world where these dramas are played out in the palm of your hand as we tune into the world whether intentionally, or by accident. Those pesky mobile entertainment centers!
Smart phones are so dumb some times!
Think about it. Through the eyes of producers, editors, and broadcasters, and everyday people who film, write, and produce their own dramas and share them with the world, the world is as different as the person sitting next to you through life.
Our smartphones draw us into the happenings of life around the globe.
No longer are we protected from the “rest of the story”. A good filter keeps you from their incessant prevailing invasion of your personal space. A better mind says it’s drama not needed in your personal space!
It’s almost an impossibility to withdraw from the clamor. If you knew nothing about them, well, you are not a part of “the club“. You know. That frenzied class of folks who keep up with the Dancing, Performance and Drama shows of the modern day world. I’ve been surprised by the “who’s” that keep up with the “whatever” as if life hinges on the latest report coming from their favorite show.
Free Speech
During this previous election cycle, and as we approach the next cycle, we experience this “drama” of the changed world. Private thoughts and personal battles are no longer kept internal, rather they are spewed to the world.
Anyone and everyone has the right to say what they want when they want how they want, and who cares whose feelings are hurt, what lies are presented as truth, or who suffers because of the words.
As long as the right to present is sacrosanct, the reader can discover the most intimate of details.
Free Speech trounces innocence! There is no more innocence left in the world. Maybe it never existed, but there was this view of a protective shell you could build around your private world. Keep the wolves at bay, keep the darkness at arm’s length, protect the space so that a young one can grow up into a mature person.
But with this instant reporting cycle and drama that surrounds us, that space is minuscule.
Here’s My Thought Today
The world has changed, hence, we are all changing. Someone asked what would happen if we lost the internet, what would change? Immediately I thought about the convenience that the internet has introduced, but also how intertwined it is to every day commerce.
What if everything went back to the dark ages? Supply chain? Gone. News about the latest COVID-19 problem? Gone. Order up the latest piece of entertainment or grocery supplies? Gone. Fuel crisis, energy crisis, end of the world!
Well, someday this may happen! Think about it! At a time we think not. At least, that’s how Jesus puts it. (Matthew 24:36-51) His focus? It’s on that ultimate change of his return!
If you will read and study, Jesus is telling us to pay attention to the signs of the times and ensure we are ready for the change.
There will come a day. Are we ready?
Closing Thought
Are you old enough to remember the oil embargo of the mid-70’s? Gasoline could only be purchased every other day, and sometimes only 5 gallons. Then, the station runs out, and the long line moves to another station.
We spent many hours looking for the station that had fuel, and determining if we had the time to wait for potential hours to put a few gallons into our tank.
Before the embargo, I remember gasoline as cheap as 11 cents per gallon, but the normal price was between 30-50 cents. As a result of the embargo, fuel jumped over 99 cents! Stations had to adjust pumps quickly because old pumps did not reflect the higher cost!
Today, that price averages in the $3 per gallon range, but I’ve seen it over $5!
Hmmmm.
Battery car, anyone?
The dark ages? Maybe we need to figure out if we can ride a bicycle, or buy a horse… I’m just saying. The world has changed dramatically over the past 100 years. And, we ain’t seen nothing yet!