That was my husband’s and my favorite joke years ago, when drastic changes were happening at work. He hasn’t changed his opinion since then, but I’ve softened a lot. There have been some changes that I love, especially blogging and searching for information on the internet. I would hate to have to give that up.
Product Recall
I was reminded of this a few days ago. We received an automated phone call from Sam’s Club saying we might have bought some food that was being recalled. They mentioned three products, the first two being pistachio nuts. The third was a mixed-nut product. The information came too fast to write down the names, product codes and lot numbers, but I didn’t have to worry. When the message was over I checked to see if the mixed nuts my husband likes contained pistachios. Yes, they did. So I Googled “pistachio recall”, which gave me a link to the FDA site listing all the products affected. So within a matter of minutes we knew not to eat any more of those nuts but instead take them back for a refund.
I’m an information junkie, and it blows me away that
- Sam’s Club knew we had purchased the products,
- Sam’s Club could automatically phone us and the other consumers who bought the suspect nuts, and
- I could so easily find the details of the recall for myself.
Sharing Via the Web
I also love the internet because of the sharing. I love Flickr… especially the people who so generously share their pictures using the Creative Commons license… and Wikipedia and the community of fellow bloggers. It warms my heart just thinking of them.
We’re living in drastically changing times, and I certainly don’t like all of the changes. But by no means am I “agin ‘em all”.
What About You?
What changes have you experienced in the past few years? Which ones do you like? Which ones don’t you like? What further changes do you think will be coming? How do you feel about them?
40 comments ↓
I think the thing that bothers me about change is that it never stops. By the time you’ve bought the next great thing, it’s almost obsolete.
When the next great operating system came after Windows 98, I opted out, until my next computer, which ran on a newer operating system – XP. The next computer was Vista capable, but it’s running just fine on XP. Maybe the change after Vista will be an improvement.
My great “new” camera that my wife let me get for a retirement present is no longer being made, even though it was camera of the year in Japan that year. The next model is much the same, except “better.”
The Clinton administration changed the rules in 1998 so that you could sell your house without having to pay any taxes on the gain in value. I missed that and was still saving receipts on improvements while others were buying and selling within the time constraints of the tax code, making tons of money, and inflating the housing market for everyone else — until the bubble burst.
Change is “good.” Change is “bad.” Things are always going to change. We can count on that.
Mikes last blog post..REO Speed Wagon
I like the convenience of google and mobile laptops. I like the growing emphasis on organic and sustainable.
The major change over the last 20-30 years has been computers. The biggest consequence for our normal live is speed of communication and the consequently increased speed of change – eg. stock market crashes can be bigger and faster.
I’m not agin all changes but I do think we need some innovations to deal with some of the consequences of the changes. Eg. ways to get human physical touch instead of the isolation that can come from living on line.
Jean, change? The past ten years have brought about so many changes in my life that I hardly get used to one when I have to change all over again. One after the other, non stop, unrelenting change to my life style, bank balance, peace of mind, relationships, career, society, institutions, business, my marriage,name it, I have experienced change. Luckily, I am of the frame of mind that rarely passes value judgments like it is good change or bad change. Change is never good or bad. It is just change from one situation to another. How we handle it is what makes the difference.
That is about my personal life. The world around me has been changing at even a greater pace than my personal world. The city that I live in has changed so much, that one of the pleasures that I enjoyed, of driving into town to do some shopping or go to my club or visit, has just become impossible. So much so, that I have sold my car and use a three wheeler cab to go to town on the rare occasion that I have to. Wherever I go, I see more young people than I used to. Their language, both body and verbal is vastly different from what I used to notice a few years ago. The merchandise in shops have all changed dramatically. Gadgets have replaced so many other things that used to be on sale. I see more women driving around in cars and two wheelers. I see more restaurants and kinds of food that I had never even heard of a few years ago.
Have I changed? In the last few years, I really do not think so. I continue to be as impossible as I was a few years ago.
rummusers last blog post..I Really Need To Change My Image.
It looks like everything is changing. We used to carry loads and loads of music cassettes and record discs but now we can carry 50+ songs in a finger size device. Travelling has also become faster, we do not have to spend much time travelling from one point to the other. The change I would like to live to see is when teachers will be replaced by computers, as some people do prophet.
Lizwis last blog post..The name change and its possible consequences
The changes that give me most concern are those in the world of medical science. Modern medicine is wonderful but in many ways cruel as it at times it gives us such high expectations. We expect cures for all ills. Now. We force nature to prevent pregnancy then force it again to produce children at our whim.
Mike,
I agree that change is the only constant. About computers–Microsoft switching to Vista converted me to getting a MacBook when I decided to get a laptop. I love it. I have it hooked up to my big screen, have a wireless keyboard and use it as a desktop computer. It’s quiet, and I’m in hog heaven. Sometimes a change we don’t like is enough to get us to try something different, something we end up loving.
A lot of people think that Darwin’s lesson was survival of the fittest. In fact it was survival of the adaptable.
Evan,
I live in a small town and it’s easy enough to find a community or two to join if one is so inclined. Church groups are an option for most people, and there are also a lot of volunteer organizations that provide an opportunity to be of service and still have social interactions. Do you have the same opportunities where you live?
I do notice that people are connecting with other people through their cell phones when they are in public places. Presumably they’re talking to people they have face-to-face interactions with and the phoning just keeps them in closer contact. The problem there is they’re less apt to connect with people they don’t know. Has anyone else noticed this phenomenon?
rummuser,
“Luckily, I am of the frame of mind that rarely passes value judgments like it is good change or bad change. Change is never good or bad. It is just change from one situation to another. How we handle it is what makes the difference.” Part of me agrees with this, and I’ve been surprised that this attitude hasn’t always come through in your own posts. Can you really adopt this attitude when you think of what’s going on in Pakistan and Afghanistan?
“Have I changed? In the last few years, I really do not think so. I continue to be as impossible as I was a few years ago.” Whew! I’m glad to hear it. As a maverick myself it’s nice to know I have company.
Lizwi,
I don’t think computers will completely replace teachers, but it’s clear that college education for the dedicated student could be a lot less expensive and more accessible than it is now. The problem is employers pay too much attention to the degree and not enough to what the person knows. I, for one, would love to see that change.
Grannymar,
The part that bothers me the most is the emphasis on keeping people alive regardless of the suffering. We don’t treat our beloved pets that way. I think patients in sound mind should have a choice when the disease is terminal. I’m afraid you disagree with me on this one?
I love change. I think change brings opportunity on the physcial level and opportunity for our soul on the spiritual level.
I think change is rapid these days but maybe because I’m getting older.
Mike: Do I sense you blame Clinton? Or am I interpreting that wrong?
Rummuser: I like impossible people.
Lizwi: I think we’re beginning to see teachers be replaced by computers.
Hope you don’t mind me commenting on others:)
Tess The Bold Lifes last blog post..Magical Mondays Make Them 1/7 Of Your Life
Tess,
“Hope you don’t mind me commenting on others.” On the contrary, I actively encourage it. Thank you.
Jean, I am with you on the end of life treatment. I have watched & cared for both my parents, my husband and several friends in their final illnesses. The treatment was a real lottery depending on the Dr’s, hospitals and country where the care took place. When my time comes, please shoot me!
Grannymars last blog post..Food Monday ~ Eggs
Grannymar,
I’m glad I didn’t offend you. I contribute to an organization called Compassion and Choices which advocates for expanded choices and quality end-of-life care. It seems to be doing some good. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I’m not sure I would like to be shot. I hate loud noises! I was thinking more of a “generous” dose of a drug to put me to sleep for once and for all. If they can do it for dogs and cats, why not for me?
Jean,
I am not in love with loud noise either, a shot of a different kind will do me fine thanks.
Grannymars last blog post..Food Monday ~ Eggs
Tes – No, I don’t blame Clinton personally. It was well intentioned and done to encourage home ownership. Unfortunately, it overshot the mark. If I had known about it at the time, I might be living in a paid off home much better than the paid off home I am living in now. I’m one of the few people in my area who will admit to voting for Clinton as governor AND president.
Mikes last blog post..Eyes of the Great Depression 023
Grannymar,
Well put! I hadn’t thought of that and am chuckling as I write.
Mike,
The way I see it there was a lot more involved than that move by the Clinton administration. (And I thought the money you gained had to be invested in another house within a year or so. We live in an apartment, so I’m no expert.) There was also the fact that people no longer had to put 20% down. Since house prices would always go up, it was no longer necessary and you would be crazy not to borrow to the hilt to cash in on the rising values. Once you get that much leverage in the system it can’t help but turn into a house of cards.
We read an article the other day that said one of the big problems was the rising price of housing wasn’t included when the government computed the inflation rate. So its monetary policy was completely out of whack. What do you think?
Jean,
I think there were a lot of variables that led to the housing market being a “house” of cards ready to collapse, including monetary policy and white collar crime. I wish that I had had a way to capitalize on it in advance…, and the courage. I used to listen to National Public Radio very often and vividly remember listening to Yale University economics professor Robert Shiller on June 3, 2005, talking about the coming bursting of the housing bubble. He was right, of course. Interestingly, he also predicted the dot com bubble bursting.
Going back to your original post on change, I found Yale Professor Predicts Housing ‘Bubble’ Will Burst by searching “housing bubble book site:npr.org”
Mike,
Thanks for the link. That’s the problem isn’t it? It wasn’t hard to guess the bubble would burst, the question was when. The same thing could be said of the stock market…it was a good guess it was too high, but when to sell and when to buy back? My husband and I have decided to be long-term investors and hope for the best. Some people, such as my sister, like playing with the market. My husband and I don’t… there are a lot of other things we’d rather do with our time. And that time, of course, gets shorter and shorter every year.
Jean, I still believe that the change that is taking place in Pakistan and Afghanistan is change. I do not remember ever having called it bad or good. What I worry about is the implications that it will have on India and for that matter the world. I am not tying myself into knots over it. I have cautioned my readers and whatever I have predicted have so far come true. I am confident of handling myself when adverse situations arise around me but, that is what I am talking about. It is all about acting, not reacting. Yes, if one does not react immediately to a changing situation, it will be abnormal behaviour. But staying in a reaction mode instead of either acting to the best of one’s ability to tackle the development at hand, or if nothing is possible, accept the situation without staying is what I avoid, and mostly succeed in doing.
rummusers last blog post..Indian Democracy In Action.
rummuser,
So you don’t judge terrorism as bad? It’s just change?
I like change because if you don’t like something just wait and it will probably change.
Dan Mihaliaks last blog post..Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids
rummuser,
In particular you don’t judge the Islamists taking over the Swat Valley and setting up training camps there as bad? Presumably that’s just one more step in an attempt to take over Pakistan. How do you feel about the possibility they will eventually get Pakistan’s nuclear weapons?
Dan,
It sounds as if you’re a great optimist. I had a pessimistic office mate once who used to say, “Cheer up. Things are bound to get worse.”
Okay Jean, terrorism is bad. The point is , my first reaction to it is that it is bad. “I am horrified. I hate all terrorists, I hurt because my friend’s son was killed in the massacre etc.” I am so far in reaction. Perfectly normal and nature provided us with this mechanism to cope with emergency situations. If I LET THESE REACTIONS RULE MY LIFE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, that is not being normal. I should get into action mode. What I can do about it, I must and if I cannot do anything
about it, I must accept and get on with my life.
I feel that Pakistan is paying the price for its duplicity of six decades. I feel that the monsters created by Pakistan and the USA have now started to feed off the creators. Can I do something about it? Yes, I can warn all my contacts in various positions of authority and responsibility, of my feelings and conclusions about it. (I have done so.) I can blog about it to spread my sense of dread about it. (I have done so.) I can suggest to my Member of Parliament that we must cooperate with the USA on this matter but on different terms than hitherto. (I have done the last just two days ago.)In my own way, I can start building up public opinion to generate a groundswell of action to force the Indian establishment to protect its citizens in a better manner than they have done so far. (I have started the process.)
I cannot however tie myself up in knots and start building a bomb shelter. I cannot allow myself to become paranoid and go after every Muslim in India. What else I cannot do about it , is to start a counter movement of Hindu extremists!
And if the mullas do gain access to the bombs, and if there is a nuclear war between the mullas and India, I shall cross the bridge when I come to it. The chances are that the mullahs will destroy themselves before all that happens.
rummusers last blog post..Good News, And Just News
I think the changes in the last decade have been mind-blowing in terms of communication and the speed/convenience of the whole new universe in cyberland. While I struggle to constantly learn and update my working knowledge of everything to keep up with the times, I also miss some things of yesteryear – like real letters in the mailbox, grocery stores that you didn’t have to push a cart 2 two miles in to shop, little things. Great post and wonderful dialog with the comments!
suzens last blog post..The Choice of Forgiveness
rummuser,
Thanks!
As you well know from my other blog, especially the Traits of Stress-Hardy, Resilient People, I agree with you. I was just having trouble with your statement “Luckily, I am of the frame of mind that rarely passes value judgments like it is good change or bad change.” Some of your own posts have not been that sanguine.
It seems to me when we decide to try to push the world in the direction we would like it to go we can’t help but be making value judgments.
suZen,
I agree the changes of the last decade have been mind-boggling, and it seems the speed of change is accelerating. I, for one, am fastening my seat belt!
Ramana – I have a very similar philosophy. If I can do something about an issue, then I do it. If I can’t do something about it, I don’t worry about it.
That’s part of the reason that I have been learning about climate change. While I can’t do much about the misinformation on it, I can share with others what I’ve learned — and I read about it in news articles, learned papers and books every single day, but I’m not going to write about it every day, just once in a while. And I’m certainly not worried about it — much.
(I also look at the latest information on changes inarctic sea ice extent and sunspots every day.)
Mikes last blog post..Wednesday Weigh-In for April 15, 2009
Mike and rumuser,
Yes, it’s the age-old wisdom isn’t it?
The interesting part comes when we have trouble doing it.
One issue that we haven’t talked about directly is we don’t have time for everything. We have to make choices about what information we will try to keep up with and what actions, if any, we will focus on. Even if we don’t use the terms “good” and “bad” we are making choices based on our values.
I remember reading a study of a fellow who was quite bright and had no trouble thinking logically. But he couldn’t make decisions because a part of his brain that involved emotions didn’t work right. Choosing means you care about something. And if we care about a lot of things that means the choices aren’t always easy. Is that a problem for anyone else here?
Jean – that is an excellent point. That’s part of the reason that I choose not to “do” Twitter, text messaging, chat, or instant messaging and, most of the time, my cell phone is off. I choose NOT to be constantly connected. We also don’t watch much TV, which is quite a change from when we were younger.
I have, however, started using Facebook, but, then again, how could I not? My mom and her “little” brother are both on Facebook. However, I only check in on it every couple of days so that it doesn’t become an obsession.
I think that some of the things that have changed have changed me in a positive way. I have always been a “laid back,” easy going sort of person. However, interacting on-line, largely through blogs and online forums, has helped me be more accepting of some things and some choices than I would have been a few years ago — and some of my views have changed significantly, though I still reserve the right to be a curmudgeon about some things — in a friendly, curmudgeony kind of way.
Mike, I too am like you. It is hard enough to live with what we already have an overload of without these new fangled things like twitter and facebook.
Jean’s concern however is very valid. It does get extremely difficult to choose one particular path which appears the most harmonious to our own value systems. Let us take a simple thing like corruption. I abhor it. There are however situations where, a few bucks speeds up the processes. What do I do? In my corporate life, it was simple – I had specialists who were handling it without me having to dirty my own hands and pretending that nothing was going on. What do I do now when someone deliberately delays issuing a certificate of death? Do I meet his expectation and expedite or do I say, I shall wait? What about my mental situation in a delicate matter like this? Do I let off steam and assault the petty bureaucrat who could not give a fig for my mental state?
No, the choices are not always easy. Compromises are necessary and one does one’s best depending on the circumstances in a friendly curmudgeonly kind of way!
rummusers last blog post..Good News, And Just News
Come on you guys, there is a place for IM, Twitter & text messages. In Ireland & the UK we pay for all phone calls. In my case Northern Ireland (UK) calls to all my family and several friends are to the South (ROI), and although they are on the same island the calls are charged at an international rate. Using Twitter, Skype or IM I can say in few words and no extra cost, what would take 15 to 20 minutes on the phone.
Since I have health issues, my daughter can check If I have IM open each morning and that way she knows I have made it to another day!
I no longer have the strength to change a wheel on my car so I have used the mobile/cell to call the RAC for help to change it, when I had a puncture while driving through a difficult area of Belfast.
My finally to Twitter. We had a day of biblical floods while I was in Dublin last summer. That day I was involved in a photoshoot for bloggers followed by a lunch. It was a dry morning when I left the house. While having lunch we became aware of other patrons arriving in very wet clothes. A ‘Toyboy’ friend had arranged to meet me at the end of lunch and when we left the rain was torrential. We managed to get a Taxi but alas, we quickly got stuck in unmoving traffic. It took two and a half hours to travel 15 klms. I was unable to get to where my car was parked so my friend offered to take me home and provide a bed for me that night. Thanks to Twitter friends we were able to provide updated traffic news for the driver and let my daughter and friends from the restaurant know that we were safe and dry. My poor young friend has never lived down the fact that he picked up GM and brought her home!!
We were all aware on Twitter long before CNN, SKY etc of the landing of that plane in the Hudson River!
PS You can keep Facebook!
Grannymars last blog post..Thursday Special ~ The Burglar
Grannymar, I yield.
rummusers last blog post..Why Do Men Wear Earrings?
One down, one to go!
Every innovation will have a benefit for someone, somewhere. It will often have costs too. How these things are evaluated is tricky.
Rummuser, I think it depends on what is wrong with corruption. What is ethical and what is illegal are not identical.
Mike and Grannymar,
It seems to me it’s not what technology we use, it’s how we use it. My husband and I talk to my daughter over the phone for a couple of hours every Sunday evening. She lives about 1400 miles away and it’s a good way to keep close. The calls are not expensive now, but when she spent her junior year of college in Scotland we talked a lot too. Then the calls were very expensive and were well worth it to me.
She and my husband like phone calls better than e-mail, but if they liked e-mail or Twitter or Facebook instead that would probably work for me. I do have a Facebook and Twitter account but don’t use them. I keep in touch with my friends in other ways, but I’m like Mike, if they preferred one of those ways that would be fine too.
Thanks, Grannymar, for telling us how you use Twitter and the other methods. Again, it’s not the technology itself, it’s how we use it.
rummuser,
I personally wouldn’t assault the petty bureaucrat because it would make me feel worse. As to whether or not I would slip him a few bucks, it would depend on how strongly I felt about getting the issue settled. It might be worth it for my peace of mind. Later I would see if there were anything I could do to make the system less corrupt.
Years ago when we bought a made-to-order car they had mistakenly ordered an automatic transmission instead of a stick shift. When it came in the dealer phoned us and told us what had happened. If we would accept the car they wouldn’t charge us extra for the automatic. We said all right, even though it wasn’t our first choice.
When we got down there they showed us the car and kept us waiting a long time, to make sure we would fall in love with it and be excited about driving it off the lot. But after the wait, when we sat down to conclude the deal, the fellow handed us the total bill. It was too high. We had him break it down and they were indeed charging us for the automatic transmission. If we didn’t accept that, it would be months more before we got the car we ordered. He was shocked when we said no thanks, we could wait. We still remember that incident with pride.
The best part was when we finally got the car the dealer said he hadn’t made any money on it, his incentives had gone away. I smiled sweetly and said, “Well, it has been six months.”
Thanks for sharing your experience. We certainly have our share of corruption here in the US, but it’s not on that petty a level.
Evan,
I must say when I hear about some of the innovations coming down the pike I shudder about the possible consequences. Who knows what the costs will really be?
Speaking of phone calls from Scotland, once, in the mid 70s, I called home collect after getting back to Holy Loch after a 90 day deterrent patrol. We were expecting a $75 or more bill for that call, but it never showed up.
I agree that there is a place for twitter, IM, and texting, but NOT in my current lifestyle.
Mikes last blog post..Bull
Mike,
That must have seemed like a gift from heaven.
Back in those days, when we were first getting started, it certainly helped.
Mikes last blog post..Bull
Some of what I used to experience is fading away to make room for what has always been there, waiting for rediscovery.
Liara Coverts last blog post..How to build unshakable confidence
Liara,
Sounds like a great strategy!
“What changes have you experienced in the past few years?”
Changes in my life was when I married six years ago. Like get a special gift from God.
The biggest change is when I got a female baby 2.5 years ago, when I almost despair because have no baby as long as 3.5 years married. Changes from almost despair to be a great hope.
tiknos last blog post..Why Vote for Nuances Religious Party Go Down
tikno,
I’m happy for you.
Thank you Jean.
I like your inspiring posts, one of them is “My New Role Model”. Learn that I must put the priority first. If not, I will trapped.
tiknos last blog post..Why Vote for Nuances Religious Party Go Down
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