SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
Perhaps, but I also appreciate that life today for most people has never been simpler. For example, the time I saved this morning not having to wash my family's clothes by hand (because I have an automatic washing machine) or buy all our food fresh for the bank holiday weekend (thanks to modern refrigeration and food preservation technology) has been more productively and enjoyably reallocated to reading and contemplating the mysteries of the universe ⭐
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
Depends on your definition of simple.
I mean for me, 'A simpler time' was when I knew where I was with regard to predictable income; flat rate taxation; buying the reliable ever present consumables; and who my 'elders and betters' were.
Never had to consider anyone else's 'opinion of me'; never had to wonder if the way i responded to someone was likely to offend them; nor live in fear of medicine or treatment being withheld because now even medics can refuse to treat you without giving you a logical reason.
I mean for me, 'A simpler time' was when I knew where I was with regard to predictable income; flat rate taxation; buying the reliable ever present consumables; and who my 'elders and betters' were.
Never had to consider anyone else's 'opinion of me'; never had to wonder if the way i responded to someone was likely to offend them; nor live in fear of medicine or treatment being withheld because now even medics can refuse to treat you without giving you a logical reason.
LordShadowfire · 46-50, M
I'm reading this on a handheld device that fits in my pocket and gives me simple access to information the world over, while considering what frozen breakfast I want to take out of the freezer and pop in the microwave. Later today, I was going to use my handheld device to check up on some of my friends around the world. So it really depends on what you mean by simple.
Cigarguy101 · 41-45, M
Yes all the time. We're so busy today I feel like I'm on the verge of a panic attack.
Mellowgirl · 31-35, F
I do. But we seem to need to do more to have more. I'm kind of changing my expectations a little.
ArishMell · 70-79, M
In some respects, yes. Many things have improved and/ or simplified with time but "progress" is merely chronological, and some things have become much more difficult, driven by various but especially commercial imperatives.
helenS · 36-40, F
Modern life is more simple than life in the past. How often do you have to remove lice and fleas from your clothes? How often do you have to eat rotten meat because there were no fridges? How much rat excrement did you find today somewhere on your bedroom floor?
ArishMell · 70-79, M
@helenS No, but I don't keep my beer in the fridge! What little alcohol I have in the house, stays sufficiently cool in a cupboard and does not go off. Fruit-juice yes, in the 'fridge because it would soon spoil otherwise.
Anyway I was not thinking of things like fridges. Those are improvements which also make life simpler (the refrigerator makes it far easier to keep food fresh and safe); but I have in mind areas like public and commercial services.
Though I can give an odd example where it's not immediately obvious which is better and in what way, and one that might strike a chord with you, 'cos its mathematical.
If I want to solve an awkward arithmetical problem I reach for my calculator; as most people would do since the early-1970s. One evening, I could not find it. Nor could I find my slide-rule; and had to use logarithms (I think the "sum" involved an awkward square-root.).
In that case, before I owned a computer that also includes a scientific-calculator and a comprehensive but very easy units-converter, I had mislaid the thing. However, I would have been similarly stuck had the calculator broken down, or (more likely) its battery had expired.
Now, the easiest and certainly most accurate choice was the calculator, the log-tables second in both respects, the slide-rule second for ease but third for accuracy. Irrespective of that comparison, I had the choice; I had an alternative way to solve the problem.
This shows how I think about changes: are they improvments qualitatively and in greater simplicity? For now, if something fails, often we have fewer workable alternatives, fewer choices anyway.
Also, unlike the calculator, the changes are not always primarily to benefit we users. They might be good in some respects, but not if we find them difficult and inconvenient, or they break, and we are denied alternatives.
.
Oh - I did subsequently find the calculator... after buying a replacement! I knew I can't possibly have put it in the drawer where it was hiding. And the slide-rule. So now I have two scientific calculators (plus those on this PC), slide-rule and printed mathematical tables; and can use all three. My first choice? The calculator.
Anyway I was not thinking of things like fridges. Those are improvements which also make life simpler (the refrigerator makes it far easier to keep food fresh and safe); but I have in mind areas like public and commercial services.
Though I can give an odd example where it's not immediately obvious which is better and in what way, and one that might strike a chord with you, 'cos its mathematical.
If I want to solve an awkward arithmetical problem I reach for my calculator; as most people would do since the early-1970s. One evening, I could not find it. Nor could I find my slide-rule; and had to use logarithms (I think the "sum" involved an awkward square-root.).
In that case, before I owned a computer that also includes a scientific-calculator and a comprehensive but very easy units-converter, I had mislaid the thing. However, I would have been similarly stuck had the calculator broken down, or (more likely) its battery had expired.
Now, the easiest and certainly most accurate choice was the calculator, the log-tables second in both respects, the slide-rule second for ease but third for accuracy. Irrespective of that comparison, I had the choice; I had an alternative way to solve the problem.
This shows how I think about changes: are they improvments qualitatively and in greater simplicity? For now, if something fails, often we have fewer workable alternatives, fewer choices anyway.
Also, unlike the calculator, the changes are not always primarily to benefit we users. They might be good in some respects, but not if we find them difficult and inconvenient, or they break, and we are denied alternatives.
.
Oh - I did subsequently find the calculator... after buying a replacement! I knew I can't possibly have put it in the drawer where it was hiding. And the slide-rule. So now I have two scientific calculators (plus those on this PC), slide-rule and printed mathematical tables; and can use all three. My first choice? The calculator.
hunkalove · 70-79, M
It's simple if you want it to be. I live a very simple life.
YoMomma ·
It is
Yes and yes. Also yes.
nuddie · 61-69, M
Yes, as it used to be years ago
Fishy · 36-40, F
Yeah, it would be nice if it was, ngl...
Even if that's just a fantasy at this point
Even if that's just a fantasy at this point
meJess · F
It is simple, you exist. You can make it more interesting though
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plungesponge · 41-45, M
Oh don't worry. It's about to get a lot simpler
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
It never was simple. Today or ten thousand years ago.
Life is change.
Life is change.
Donotfolowme · 51-55, F
Isn't already
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Moneyonmymind · 31-35, M
Yes all the time
DDonde · 31-35, M
This feels almost like a monkey's paw type question.
YMITheWayIM · 46-50, M
No