There was a time

A young man from West Demerara who takes care of the electrical problems in my home was pointing out to me this past week that I should get rid of the half dozen or so fluorescent fixtures in the place. Apart from the inconvenience of having to occasionally replace parts of the lamp, I would save on my electricity bill. Also, and this point scored with me, these units, born for the industrial age, are not pleasing to look at.  “This is a long time thing,” he told me, consolingly.

Reflecting on that comment later, I began jotting down examples of changes that have come to our lives making, in some cases, massive alterations in how we live. My intention here, as I relay some of them, is not to debate whether they’re good or bad – that’s up to you – but simply to point out some changes that you may not have noticed.  Whether complaining about the changes, or welcoming them, we all agree that ‘dis time na lang time’ is definitely the case today.

There was a time, for instance, when