Time and Change and Complexity

The Tivo in the bedroom records old episodes of Friends and for awhile now, we’ve watched one or two before turning the lights out. The world of Friends really doesn’t seem that long ago – it ran from 1994-2004 – but I guess it was.

I’m struck by how much simpler life appeared to be. What’s really weird is that they’re not always looking at smartphones. When Ross and Phoebe and Rachel and Joey are hanging at the coffee shop, they talk to each other rather than burying their faces in a device.

The season that Monica and Chandler get together is what we’re currently watching. Computers are not a permanent fixture in their living spaces although in one episode, Ross does use a laptop. It is unlikely that several times a week the Friends were asked to create a user id and password with the password comprised of some random combination of uppercase, lowercase, numeric, and symbols. And, told not to use the same password for everything because that could be a catastrophe should someone steal it, like yesterday when it was reported millions of gmail passwords were hacked. The complexity of the world today can be hard.

For example, we bought a new Samsung washer and dryer last month. They are not even top of the line but can do practically anything you want done to your laundry. The control panel has so many lights and buttons and knobs I feel like I’m in a cockpit. And get this – there’s an app. Yes, I think we can wash and dry remotely! Why, I have no idea.

Our former washer and dryer were purchased immediately following 9/11. The economy was in a tailspin and we thought buying appliances was a way to help. Those Maytags were fine machines – lasted 13 years – and were not complicated in any way. I miss that.

Best we can figure, the Friends episodes we are watching now were from the spring of 2001 because in practically every one, some transition shows a panoramic view of NYC that includes the old World Trade Center.

Seeing the twin towers gets me every time.

Would love to know what you think about the increasing complexity in our lives. Share your thoughts in the comment section.

My goal is to write 30 blog posts in 30 days the month of September.

#30in30