A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

As a kid in the 1960s, I wanted more than anything to visit another planet where everything was different. (That yearning largely contributed to my becoming a writer.) Well, I may not have traveled to another planet, but I can't help feeling like I'm living in a completely different world than the one I grew up in. Technology has advanced at an astonishing pace, and the way we live our daily lives has been transformed in countless ways, including the lengthening of them, via devices such as MRIs (pictures from magnetic resonance imaging), which I had today.

My insurance company was the one that requested the MRI, and while I was initially frustrated with the extra step, I knew that it was important for my health and wellbeing. I had heard horror stories of people who underwent surgeries only to find out later that they didn't need them, or that they had been misdiagnosed. So, I was grateful for the thoroughness of the process, even if it was a bit of a hassle.

But it took quite awhile. And, as I started to doze, it occurred to me that, if the MRI had been around in the 1960s, my grandfather might have lived years longer than he did.

So, as I lay in this noisy device at almost 72 years old, I found myself thinking how much and how deeply everything has changed since I was a kid in the 1960s. I may not have traveled to another planet, but I can't help feeling like I'm living in a completely different world than the one I grew up in. Can you imagine sending a 5-year-old to the corner store these days to pick up a pack of cigarettes for Mommy?

Technology has advanced at a logarithmic pace, and continues to do so. The way we live our daily lives has been transformed to an extent I would guess equal to that of dropping a medieval peasant into 1960s London.

When I was a kid, we didn't have cell phones or computers. If we wanted to talk to someone without bicycling to their house, we had to pick up the phone and dial their number (on a rotary phone, mind you!). And if we wanted to learn something not covered (or covered-up) in school, we had to go to the library and flip through books. (Which apparently few people my age did, or we wouldn't see so much ignorance regarding science, medicine, and government as we do.)

Now, everything is just a few clicks or taps away. I can video chat with my kids who live across the country, order groceries online and have them delivered to my doorstep, and even stream movies and TV shows on demand. (And, to be honest, actual shopping has become problematic because of my back. Yes, when I do go to the store, I am one of those people in the motorized carts.)

Of course, all of this technology can be overwhelming at times, but I never find myself longing for the simplicity of the old days. I'm grateful to be living in a time where I can stay connected with loved ones, learn new things, and enjoy all the conveniences that modern life has to offer.

I can't imagine driving without Google Maps. Back in my day, we had to use paper maps or written directions to get around, which could be a hassle and often led to wrong turns and missed exits. With Google Maps, I can easily navigate to any destination, get real-time traffic updates, and even find nearby restaurants and attractions.

Now, technically, I am using the Tesla navigation system rather than Google Maps, since I turned in my Nissan for a Tesla. But, it's the same difference. And the Tesla even helps with things like staying in my lane on the highway. (That's not an issue now, but I can see where, someday, that might be the signal to tell me I should stop driving…in a more subtle way than actually killing myself or someone else.)

Plus it's better for the environment, and I never have to worry about stopping at a gas station again. I just plug it in at home and it's ready to go the next day.

Another gadget that I use every day is my camera phone. It's amazing to think that I can take high-quality photos and videos with a device that fits in my pocket. Not just high quality, but better in most cases than I can get with my digital SLR. And with social media, I can easily share those moments with friends and family all over the world. And do. (I seldom share pictures of my meals, however, which may mean there's hope for me yet!)

My daughter gave me a smartwatch last year. She got it when I had my own apartment, because it could be programmed to notify her if I fell. (I never did.) But it has been a lifesaver when it comes to finding my phone! How many times have you misplaced your phone and spent ages searching for it? With my watch, I can just press a button and my phone will start ringing, no matter where it is. (Most of the time it turns out to be in the inductive charging cradle in my Tesla.) I also have electronic tags on other things I tend to misplace, so once I have my phone back, I can find them, as well!

It's as if the technology has come along just in time to help us geezers keep up!

Then there's Amazon. You can't forget about Amazon. The ability to shop for virtually anything online and have it delivered to my door within a few days is truly incredible. I know, I don't like Jeff Bezos any more than the next guy. (I'd like him better if he invited me to one of his parties. After all, I do have several books for sale in his catalog.) But he did create something revolutionary; and if he does underpay his employees, Amazon has also made it possible for tiny personal and family businesses to flourish all over the world.

And with the rise of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, we don't even need cable TV anymore.

All of these technologies have made my life so much easier and more enjoyable. I may not be traveling to other planets, but I feel like I'm living in a new world that's full of magic and wonder. And, at this point, the magic seems like less work than the traveling!