Ryan and I are finally convinced that this “internet trend” is here to stay, so we got DSL. We held out for a long time, as we usually do. (“Who needs a cell phone? Who needs a garage? Who needs toilet paper?”) Working from home has made it somewhat necessary, especially because when I click “Send” on an email, it’s usually because I need to send it. The same day. It was getting really hard to try to write my emails two days in advance.
Life in DSL is vivid and bright and feels like being behind the wheel of one of those really expensive convertibles people buy to make themselves feel young. At least that’s what I think it feels like. Who needs one of those really expensive convertibles anyway?
So, it has me thinking about all the other technological advances of the past that make such a difference in daily living, there is no way to go back to life before. Here are the top 10 on my list:
10) Microwaves. Just think—without them, we would never know the joy of Hot Pockets.
9) Power steering. It would be impossible to talk on the cell phone, apply mascara, and make a left turn without it.
Email. Seriously, how did people get along without the ability to tell disparaging stories about men, send pictures of dressed-up dogs, and warn others about the guys who try to sell you perfume in the parking lot with the intention of kidnapping and raping you?
7) Garage door openers. Although, I bet the collective upper-body strength of the American population has gone down since then.
6) Can openers. I’m guessing there were a lot of broken teeth and bent butter knives back in the day.
5) Glasses. Okay, I know I’m going WAY back here, but I personally know several people who would be royally screwed without some help in the optical department. Namely, Ryan, my mother, Leslie, Alison, and Janet. I, myself, would have a hard time telling the difference between signs that say “Speed Limit 75 mph” and “Slow, Children at Play”.
4) Cafe Rio. What did people eat before Cafe Rio???
3) Indoor plumbing. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to “hold it” all winter.
2) Sliced bread. People are always talking about it as being the latest, greatest invention and the more I’ve thought about it—I can’t think of anything more burdensome than having to slice your own bread.
1) Feminine care products. Nuff said.
So, what are your top ten modern inventions you simply couldn’t live without?
