They were not far wrong in 1930, were they? The only real inaccuracy I can spot is the high level of service by the drinks waiter.
Re the last post with all its bitter recriminations, insults and absence of social cohesion, I have come to believe that most of society's problems could be solved by exterminating two thirds of the world's population. The frightening thing about that is that I bet this solution is part of someone's genuine political manifesto, even here in the U.K.
'The Good Old' days are only perceived to be good in hindsight (by some) because there were less people around with whom you had to share - if you had anything to share to begin with. Using modern technology such as those phones above, we are now expected to share absolutely everything with absolutely everyone, instantly.
Escapism now is living in the network. I would love to escape to Cornwall before the end of this Summer, but so would half of the rest of England. I suppose we could go to The Gower again - it is often compared to Cornwall - but it just isn't Cornish enough for me, and our last experience in the dog-friendly hotel somewhat put me off the entire peninsula.
Disregarding generous pensions or supportive family set-ups, what is your vision of the future? Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
I seem to rub along ok and am naturally an optimist. I have no vision of the future, I can't even plan a meal until I want to eat it.
ReplyDeleteI think I am pretty much the same, but I have had twinges of doubt in the last year or two.
DeleteI have a few doubts every now and then about the future, as you know.
DeleteAt age 71 my vision of the future is that it's looking bloody short. I've done most of the things I wanted to do in life and any I haven't I can't be arsed to do and so, as Rachel said, I just rub along
ReplyDeleteI have given up any ambitions I had to fly a jet fighter now too.
DeleteI am a glass half full, positively brimming over kind a gal ...... optimist for sure. So much is hyped up and stirred up in the media, I just don’t know what to believe anymore. I read the other day that in a couple of decades time we won’t be able to live on earth as it will be mega hot !! They also told us about fifteen years ago to grow cacti and to have gravel gardens as we wouldn’t be able to grow anything else .... well, that hasn’t happened in our garden ..... our hydrangeas are wonderful ! How about you Tom ...... you are usually pretty optimistic? XXXX
ReplyDeleteAs far as global warming goes, I have yet to be completely convinced that the majority of it is caused by human activity, which cannot be said for plastic in the environment. I think that I may have been too optimistic in the past about my personal future.
DeleteI'm three years away from retirement, with a well deserved and paid-into pension to follow. I think I'm more optimistic than I used to be. My husband, on the other hand, gets far too caught up in world news and I think it occupies too much of his thoughts. In my own little world, I am enjoying the little things, the simple pleasures, and have lots to look forward to. (Speak to me in the dead of winter and my tone might be different!) -Jenn
ReplyDeleteWell I did ask to leave out generous pensions, but I too may be more optimistic on a personal level if I had one to look forward to. It wouldn't change how I feel about society in general though. The fact that I actually look forward to the dead of Winter must show quite a high degree of optimism, I suppose.
DeleteThe results of my recent early morning (6 am) blood test have just this minute arrived, and they show an improvement from three months ago. My hopes for the future have been raised; I might even celebrate with a glass of rouge this evening.!
ReplyDeleteThings are looking up for you then. I have found myself mildly worrying about death in the last couple of years. I remember smiling when my father said on his deathbed that he would miss us kids, but I now know more of what he was talking about, even though it is a silly notion. The party will carry on without us - or will it?
DeleteTom, at my age I have to be an optimist otherwise I just would not keep going. I sometimes worry about the future for my son, grand childrenand great grand children but the fact is that I shall not be here to do anything about it (not that I could anyway - que sera and all that). As a species that is what we do and sooner or later something will happen to put a stop to us - but I daresay it will be something we have never thought of.
ReplyDeleteYes, something comes out of the sun or shadows and clobbers you when you least expecting it. Always.
DeleteI am an optimist, Tom. Of course I think more of death (which I did also before - but now I am astonished that it will really happen - a big ego-annoyance). Till death comes - and we never know when - I am determined to drink from the cup of life what it offers and enjoy it as much as possible - that can be the sight of my flowers on the balcony in the morning or the silent fluttering of many crows flying above the house on a soft blue-pink sky in the evening. And I do not care a bit what others might think about that.
ReplyDeleteWhen I have pain (thank God seldom) I am less otimistic.
As for the world: even without me they will muddle through, I believe. I start to avoid (not completely, of course) newspapers - they are trying to make you furious (but for such good news as the rescue of that football children in Asia: just one day in our papers).
Someone needs to start a paper called 'Good News' but it would go out of business after the first issue.
DeleteMaybe 'Goodbye' magazine?
DeleteWhat are my grandchildren going to breathe? I'm frightened for their lives.
ReplyDeleteNitrous Oxide, like the rest of kids today. Actually, I always thought that our generation were really lucky to have missed two world wars, but you had Vietnam.
DeleteAt this moment in time pretty pessimistic ....and I hate it
ReplyDeleteYes I know, but you have more youth on your side. Your tunnel is longer than some (oo-err missus) so the chances of light at the end are greater.
DeletePessimist and optimistic. We can be both and I think we must be realistic and also have hope.
ReplyDeleteKeeping the balance is the trick.
DeleteI go along very much with Derek Faulkner's comment. Aged 80 and a most activities reduced by a stroke about 3 years ago (but still managing an e-bike!). I can no longer be arsed about anything and the future will take care of itself as it has always done.
ReplyDeleteSomeone once said "the good old days are now", meaning that we always look back with rose tinted specs and will continue to do so.
I must be living the good life, then.
DeletePessimist. Can't help it and wish I wasn't but that's just how it is......
ReplyDeleteWell at least you are seldom disappointed.
Deletethanks tom..
ReplyDeletecarmudi