The end of your missive reminded me of something I learned a while ago: ‘If it was invented before you were born it’s a tool, if it was invented after, it’s technology.’ I think of that all the time as I watch my students with their phones (all of whom are now essentially born after the introduction of the iPhone), while I still struggle in some aspects with it. I’m also reminded that at one time a pencil was considered new fangled technology and the slate was the standard classroom tool. From someplace southeast of Edmonton, where I’ve enjoyed reading your writing for decades. Cheers.
This is a great miscellania that gripped me on several fronts. As a young naval officer Morse Code was one of our basic courses, and it remains essential for communicating by Aldis Lamp (flashing light) for visual comms in radio silence -- I don’t see it going the way of the Dodo bird for that alone. And I rationalized raising our now-30-something daughters on The Simpsons by turning each episode into a “teaching moment” on the cultural references -- they mostly would roll their eyes but it seems to have worked out..... Indeed one of them now lives in England and is setting to write her citizenship test, so I’ve sent the email version of this post to her to consider whether “Rule Nostalgia” might be useful (with a warning “more likely not” -- they have a set version to learn in the approved book).
Anyways, to end, sign me up as interested in one of your freebies -- I’ve loved reading you since your Ottawa Citizen days in the ‘90s, in the meanwhile made a bit of a living as a past-present-futurist myself, and I’ve reached that happy stage in life where I can give something back by paying to keep a stock of fine writing. If I’m one of the annointed ones, an autograph please (it’s also the way I am) but no need for any other cutesy words.
Back before he ran into his troubles, Louis CK had a nice rant about how we don't appreciate how good we have it. Basically a longer version of "You got to fly! in the air!" ...
Dan the extinct invention sounds like a challenge. I’d expect something recent such as magnetic core memory might fit. Still exists in museums though but is completely replaced by other technology.
Well, I'll tell ya Dan. I'll follow Jonathan Haidt on your advice, but I won't replace you with him, on your advice or not. Add Ottawa to the list where you are read. And lastly, sign your books with pride. I, like many. I presume, speak highly of you to people. How would it be if we could show our jealous friends a signed copy of your new book, or one of your previous ones.
The end of your missive reminded me of something I learned a while ago: ‘If it was invented before you were born it’s a tool, if it was invented after, it’s technology.’ I think of that all the time as I watch my students with their phones (all of whom are now essentially born after the introduction of the iPhone), while I still struggle in some aspects with it. I’m also reminded that at one time a pencil was considered new fangled technology and the slate was the standard classroom tool. From someplace southeast of Edmonton, where I’ve enjoyed reading your writing for decades. Cheers.
Hey Dan,
This is a great miscellania that gripped me on several fronts. As a young naval officer Morse Code was one of our basic courses, and it remains essential for communicating by Aldis Lamp (flashing light) for visual comms in radio silence -- I don’t see it going the way of the Dodo bird for that alone. And I rationalized raising our now-30-something daughters on The Simpsons by turning each episode into a “teaching moment” on the cultural references -- they mostly would roll their eyes but it seems to have worked out..... Indeed one of them now lives in England and is setting to write her citizenship test, so I’ve sent the email version of this post to her to consider whether “Rule Nostalgia” might be useful (with a warning “more likely not” -- they have a set version to learn in the approved book).
Anyways, to end, sign me up as interested in one of your freebies -- I’ve loved reading you since your Ottawa Citizen days in the ‘90s, in the meanwhile made a bit of a living as a past-present-futurist myself, and I’ve reached that happy stage in life where I can give something back by paying to keep a stock of fine writing. If I’m one of the annointed ones, an autograph please (it’s also the way I am) but no need for any other cutesy words.
I’ll stay subscribed in any event. ;-))
The "new technology" stuff reminds me of this scene in Master And Commander https://youtu.be/rEZqisCYz8U?t=57
Back before he ran into his troubles, Louis CK had a nice rant about how we don't appreciate how good we have it. Basically a longer version of "You got to fly! in the air!" ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUBtKNzoKZ4
Dan the extinct invention sounds like a challenge. I’d expect something recent such as magnetic core memory might fit. Still exists in museums though but is completely replaced by other technology.
Well, I'll tell ya Dan. I'll follow Jonathan Haidt on your advice, but I won't replace you with him, on your advice or not. Add Ottawa to the list where you are read. And lastly, sign your books with pride. I, like many. I presume, speak highly of you to people. How would it be if we could show our jealous friends a signed copy of your new book, or one of your previous ones.
I, too, admire Haidt. I've been tweeting at Musk to get him and Jaron Lanier locked in a room together to create a better Twitter.
There's just nobody home in South Dakota at the moment, I'm sure.