I’ve no idea what they’re called. I feel so embarrassed for anyone actually wearing them that I’ve never pursued the idea of finding out more about them.
Call me a Luddite if you want - I’d rather be someone steeped in actually talking to other humans than wearing one of those awful things attached to mostly younger heads that are now apparently taking over the brains of so many. |
You might have seen them in ads.
he wearer seems to strap them on to his/her head over the eyes. It’s huge, almost takes over their face, making them look like an overgrown, confused and imbecilic ant. The person underneath this appendage is closed off in his own world, making ridiculous gestures that no one around them could even begin to understand. I’ve no idea what this is supposed to accomplish. |
Well, she was lovely to look at, but quite honestly, there wasn't much that was very interesting about her. I don't think I ever named her - no I'm sure I didn't. But I was careful to look delighted, because I didn't want to hurt them. She gradually fell out of favor with me. It was the guilt of knowing she was so pretty, but didn’t fascinate me in any meaningful way. I don't remember when she actually disappeared. I felt guilty, because I thought she must have cost my parents more than they could afford.
My father made stilts for the children. They were very simple, but I can remember them vividly. Sturdy scraps of wood, attached to other scraps of wood! The part that your feet went on was situated really close to the ground when you learned, then he could just take them off and place them higher up as you became more confident. Finally you were high up off the ground, incredibly comfortable, and having a wonderful time playing all sorts of games on them. I adored them. Every day was so exciting.
One of my most memorable times was when Dad, my brother and I collected can lids. Dad showed us how to snip them just so with some tin snips, then we bent them carefully, made little axles for them, and we climbed a hill. We dug a tiny channel all the way down, inserted the lids at various spots, poured buckets of water carefully into the channel, and the fascination of finding out how water wheels work was our joyful reward.
There weren't any plastic toys. We learned crafts instead. There certainly weren't any electronic gadgets. I'm very sure there weren't any of the kids on anti-depressant medications. Heck, I’m not even sure there were anti-depressant medications for anyone!
Time flies
Strange times, these. Many elders are treated as though they’re no longer keepers of history and bringers of knowledge. In the world of enormous reliance on and ability with technological advances the old way of learning has been turned on its head. Many older folks are the new illiterates, and made to feel this way on a daily basis.
The young burnout
Children grow up immersed in screen technology now. The world around them seems to have ceased to exist. Just like the adults they emulate, they are determined to become YouTube stars. But that’s not all it seems. They find in order to get and keep their followers and advertisers it’s a constant job of being “on” 24/7. It works for a while, but even that young energy cannot always fight the stress that leads to burnout.
Deeply disturbing is the knowledge now that brain development continues into the mid twenties. Life pressures of different kinds have very unwanted effects on minds of all ages, but for the very young they can be devastating.
You know there’s a problem when you have to strap one of those goofy things on your head and escape from reality.
Just a thought...if you really want to give a special gift to someone you love, send them a card with an IOU for however much time you can spend with them, on an activity of their choice. Baby sitting doesn’t count!