The Upside of Inconvenience
Thoughts of Michael
A colleague and I reminisced briefly today on how we miss going to record stores. There was something exciting about it. It was a chance to go out with a friend and check out what’s new. The hunt was a big part of the excitement, the chance for your fingers arriving at some great tunes. It was social too.
As much as I love our current ability to access any song that was ever created at any time, there’s something missing.
Similarly, it’s fun being able to click a button and purchase something on Amazon. With the acceleration of technologies, we’re likely to soon experience even less effort put into our shopping habits. It won’t be long until you press a button, a drone lands at your door, and you’re using the product within minutes. This is already happening in some areas.
I often think about humans taking the easiest route through a park. Will it be the same with technology? Will people always take the route that requires the least effort?
Did our prehistoric ancestors ever enjoy the hunt for food, or would they have preferred for it to be delivered to the cave?
…Me… want change! Change wife. You me no go out no more. Gods deliver meat now. Me sit in cave and wait a bit. You.. and me. We eat soon. We wait. Kiss? Mmm.. Not long. Mmmm…[rubs his tummy] Yum yum.
They wait for one whole day.
…Me… not happy! Gods delivery LATE! Me hungry. You hungry. Want REFUND!
Suddenly a knock on the cave wall. Cave man jumps up, and grabs his long spear.
…You… Who you? I kill you. Package LATE!!
The delivery boy [aka gods] is shaking, he drops a package of meat at the cave entrance, the cat gut wrapping splits open. Big cave man looks growls with fury.
The delivery boy [a.k.a. gods] pleads, “Me sorry…big man. Please… good review for me anyway? Please. Me hungry too. Please?”
Big cave man is still grumbling but considers, scratching his hairy face. He picks up the meat, sniffs it, then violently throws his spear toward the delivery boy as if to only scare him then hovels inward with the dripping package. Cave woman throws a big ladle at cave man’s head. Big cave man falls. She steals the meat and leaves.
I have a feeling this type of setup for prehistoric people would’ve been bad for their health.
No hunt. No risk. No discovery.
Safety? Yes. Longevity? No.
Less chance of predators, yes, but perhaps early death due to a lack of exercise.
The social aspect is missing as well. He might not meet other neanderthals and not create more children.
In terms of our modern day situation with the pandemic, we are also missing out on so many opportunities, especially when it comes to food.
I don’t order through Skip the Dishes because it’s too easy and unfulfilling. If I walk or drive, at least there’s a chance I’ll smile at someone or say hello (even though they can’t see my smile nor hear my muffled voice, I still try). I might wait in line for picking up my food and have even the smallest interaction with another human being. Like making eye contact.
If it’s inconvenient, it might just be a bit better for us. A chance encounter, a partially covered smile, and the tiny acknowlegement of our existence.
That’s better than no contact at all.
Now go out and find some great music and enjoy the hunt for dinner!
With Gratitude,
PS. If you enjoy this blog, please share it with a cave man or cave woman you might know. If you don’t know any, then it’s time to get to know some.
I totally agree - the easy way isn't always best .... and we need the interactions with people