I found this list I wrote, twenty years ago, about my favorite modern conveniences.
And I honestly have to say, I WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING.
I would not put smartphones on that list, even now. (Although telephones in general are a good one. As is email. All of which were definitely a thing that existed in 2003. But even knowing their integral function in today’s society, I’d still rank them below “pasteurization” and “modern surgical techniques”. And please – let’s just forget social media and leave YouTube for the instructional videos only, hmmm?)
Also PS GET OFF MY LAWN.
Only kidding. I do know this seems resistant to change and while I’m cool with innovation and all I’m not cool with trolls because have you seen how MEAN people are to each other on the internet ALL THE TIME?
Here’s the breakdown, with today’s notes in italics:
- Hot Showers on demand Still one of my favorite creature comforts, ever.
- 24-hour grocery stores This one could use some finesse. 24 hours is not necessary as I’m rarely awake and desiring to travel to a grocery store at 2am. However I do appreciate a clean, well-stocked store with a variety of foodstuffs from around the globe.
- Aeroplanes. Yes. Although IDK why I spelled it so weird.
- The printing press Because books.
- Washing Machines This one should be obvious.
- Pasteurization I like eating things, and not getting ill from them.
- Automobiles Yes.
- Surgery Modern surgery is astounding. Doctors are amazing human beings capable of incredible things. I am grateful for them.
- Radio/CD/Tapes Just music in general, yes? Maybe a handful of podcasts, too.
- Mattresses I like that I can sleep on a comfortable pillowey cloud free of fleas and bedbugs and rats and bubonic plague.*
*I think 2023 me would maybe add a disclaimer about privilege – I am grateful to be able to have access to, and take advantage of, all the things on this list. I know not everyone has that luxury.
Even when I wrote this list, I knew I couldn’t foresee the future. I left it open to modification. And yet, it remains exactly as I would write it today. Does that say more about me, or about the “necessity” of some of the technological advances of the last two decades?
What am I missing? What would you add?
