Generation REwind:
The Good Old Days
As we as a nation become more and more ruled by advancements in technology, it is natural to look at the past with rose tinted glasses and view the ‘good old days’ with a heavy dose of nostalgia. While the next generation might never know the feeling of having to race back to the sofa during an ad break to soak up every bit of drama from your favourite TV soap before we could press record or watch them on demand and while we no longer have to knock on a door or call a landline to connect with family or friends, there’s no denying the convenience that modern living brings.
This begs the question, is it becoming increasingly harder to live life ‘the old fashioned way’ and is it even healthy to hold on to the past? Will those who refuse to adapt to the new way of doing things lose touch with society and how will those who fall into the futuristic fanatics vs the old fashioned categories co-exist?
Out with the Old in with the New
Is it possible to balance old fashioned lifestyles and values with modern conveniences? Of course, there are always going to be things that are better the old fashioned way and embracing the digital age doesn’t mean you have to abandon your most treasured rituals. For example, you can still send a hand written letter and use a digital camera to create family memories rather than snapping away on your smartphone. But it is becoming harder and harder to hang on to the old fashioned way of doing things, especially as new technology often makes old fashioned gadgets obsolete.
As many people embrace the modern technology age, just as many people strive for simple living which throws up many questions about what society will look like in the future. Will there be a huge divide between those two camps and what will be the effect of picking a side? With technology playing such a huge role in politics and current affairs, do those who want a simple life risk becoming isolated and out of touch with so called modern ‘reality’? And do we even have a choice?
Is the Answer The Best of Both Worlds?
It is natural to question what we are leaving behind as the world races towards progress and you may feel disenchanted with new fangled technology from time to time. However, that doesn’t mean you have to knock down the old fashioned pillars that have served you so well, you can find intentional ways of living without viewing modern society and everything that comes with it as the enemy. While it is impossible to look into the future, all there is left to do is live your life as authentically as you can. Treasure old traditions while taking advantage of modern living and small snippets of the past will filter down into new generations regardless.
Do you fall into the old fashioned simple living category or do you thrive on the instant gratification that this new digital age provides?