Technology , including things like the microchip, was number one and cut across
all categories such as medicine, business, and even the arts. There was agreement that some medical
advances that helped individuals, such as birth control or little blue pills,
also affected societal norms and values.
Some diners wanted to debate whether the impact was positive or
negative. We found it hard to distinguish
between invention and what we called ‘the next.’ For example, none of us were around for the first airplane
(the invention) but did experience going from propeller to jet engines (the ‘next’).
Think about any room in your home or the different things
you do each day. It is interesting, and sometimes
difficult, to realize all of the initial inventions and all the ‘nexts’ it took
to get our lives to what they are. I
have a picture of my folks standing by their Model T and one of my nephew by a
race car. If today’s generation made this list it would not include indoor plumbing, the transistor, rabbit ears, the refrigerator, or inoculations but might contain something from the latest episode of Shark Tank. Whether it’s an improved garlic press or going from the printing press to personal printers our lives have adapted to the new and/or improved and we anticipate many more ‘nexts.’ If you are waiting for me to share the results of last year’s dinnertime discussion, you’ll be disappointed for I do not remember. My job was and still is just to get the conversation or thought process started. Let me know where today’s musing takes you.
Marilyn
I don't think necessity is the mother of invention. Invention, in my opinion, arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness - to save oneself trouble.
... Agatha Christie
My only invention or next might be the discovery that if I am very faithful about moving my clothes around in the closet that they last longer. I rotate them.
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