A series of essays.....
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| MY DAUGHTER, CORINNE, AND SON-IN-LAW, MATTHEW'S GARDEN~~~ HARD WORK AND PERSISTENCE YIELDS AMAZING THINGS! |
.....as seen through my eyes!
By: Jacqueline E. Hughes
It's a serious question and I must have an answer.....
I am a bit conflicted, however, when our 'tech' world has created hands-free, paperless, remote orientated scenarios and yet.....we, literally, hold our cell phones in high esteem throughout our waking hours. (Pun intended.)
The ongoing pattern begins with the process of invention; clearly labeled for the 'benefit' of mankind. Then continues with the act of circulation that is closely followed by assessing the devastation while continuing to move forward at warp speed anyway, inevitably leaving collateral damage in its wake. From the first 'genetically modified plant' back in 1983 to the cultural impact that advertising has had in America, our health and welfare is paying the price every day.
We all live through this process and learn to accept it as the 'norm.'
Some of us are fighting back, one baby step at a time, by planting our backyard gardens, minimizing the use of plastic, and taking family walks in the evenings and leaving the television in the dark.
Laziness, or the act of categorizing any physical or time consuming labor as totally worthless and avoidable, is creating a new generation of human beings that belies the adage of 'It takes hard work in order to succeed.' Our school systems have felt this crunch for years when it comes to the lack of demand for teaching basic mechanical skills to future generations of farmers, woodworkers, welders, as well as teaching the rudimentary values of running a home in an efficient manner.
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| Photo: Courtesy lwgsummerland.wordpress.com |
The stimulus behind my train of thought was an article I had read over the weekend which guaranteed the infiltration of robots serving mankind within a large percentage of American homes. Timeline: Within the next several years. We're talking computer based, human-like figures that are there to serve us our evening cocktail (look back to the 1950's for this one), make our meals (vegan, vegetarian, or full-on meat and potatoes) and serve them to us, and clean our homes while wearing Grandma's floral print apron (nostalgic interpretation supplied by the individual owner).
Let's be honest, to a certain degree, they already do. 'Roomba' me baby! The granddaddy to later 'spin' offs of robotic vacuum cleaners that, via computer technology, rotate across the floor, ostensibly, on their own accord! Roomba was introduced in 2002.
Progress? You must decide.
From a highly practical standpoint, I will concede that several inventions throughout this modern robotic era make progressive sense. For example, bomb squad robots, and laboratory mechanical arms that handle radioactive or highly sensitive materials, robotic artificial limbs including research using electrodes to stimulate the brain and control the movement of these devices. The advantage of these robots used in the application of safety, as well as revolutionizing prosthetics has been phenomenal, saved lives, and assisted in the betterment of mankind. Money well spent!
Whenever money.....Big Money.....is involved, we will always walk a fine line between practicality and saleability: The difference being what is helpful for the consumer and how much money lines the pockets of large companies. This includes the manufacturing of drugs, their upside in helping the sick, along with the harrowing experiences of prescription drug addiction throughout this country.
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| ROBOTIC ARM ~ COMPUTER PROGRAMMED TO SIMULATE HUMAN ARM FUNCTIONS |
As consumers and willing/unwilling lab rats, we have been outmaneuvered, brainwashed, and hustled for hundreds of years.
The unique power behind advertising is the manipulation of our minds and pocket books enticing us to crave things we think we need, have to own, and didn't know we couldn't live without until moments before.....! After all, "We must keep up with the Joneses," our personal neighbors and social equals.
This concept has been modified due to the economic patterns of 2008 when many of our cherished neighbors, our own family members, and social equals lost their homes, cars, and self-pride due to the misrepresentation of 'trickle down economics.' This is the rationale that when most of the money is appropriated to the top few elitists (I believe the top 2% of earners), it will trickle down to those of us in need. This has never been, nor will it ever be a good economic policy for the benefit of the Middle Class and Poor in America.
Do we think so great (or, so little) of ourselves that our time is more valuable spent doing considerably less, our body growing weaker, sicker, larger....as our mind becomes the focal point of existence and our body is, seemingly, expendable?
Don't misunderstand me....knowledge is bliss, and we send our children off to higher education so that they may learn how to become freethinking and productive citizens while navigating this highly competitive world we live in. What compromises are being made in order to do so?
What is at stake for our society today and what could we be losing in the future?
Common sense. The art of simple, basic tasks. The 'feel good' act of hard work while working up an honest sweat....not attributed to a gym workout. The art of conversation and social development. (A phone should be used to say 'hello, how are you doing?' and placed back in the cradle or on the desk.) How to read a mechanical clock or write in cursive. The appropriate and intelligent reasoning behind why we should vote in every election.
As well as, the art of saving money and investing it wisely. Etiquette, manners, and general respect for others. Basic home and automobile repairs. Learning about the law and understanding the Constitution of the United States. And, the saddest loss of all would be, the act of dealing with failure properly and learning good examples from our failures. An article in "Successful Student" says that "Learning from failure teaches tenacity, gumption, character, and makes one tougher and more capable of navigating life’s inevitable ups and downs."
Let's face the facts here.....we have so much to lose! So, put down that television remote and take the time to think about a world filled with 'reality stars' that haven't been taught the basics of life and who truly are not able to 'boil water' as our parents and grandparents used to warn us about. It's time to make the time to plant a vegetable garden with your kids and help them feed themselves, as well as their neighbors and friends. Get your hands dirty and prepare to reap the benefits from this for many lifetimes to follow.
We are gullible, predictable souls, always have been and always will be. After all, as the old saying goes, "We're only human."
Copyright © 2016 by Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved.
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