The Age of Things

Things matter.

What things impact our lives at this time? Phones, airplanes, cars, social media, computers, cameras, the printing press, agriculture, fire, and more are worthwhile candidates.

Let’s consider the age of things with regard to how they impact our lives.

As a kid, I checked out lots of books from the local library. (The first library was established in the 7th century BCE). I rode a bike (only possible after 1817). I wore shirts and pants, even if I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing that style of clothing today. (The first clothing was available at least 120,000 years ago.) I bought records (1877) and magazines (1863).

Which of these things is going to remain relevant in a thousand years? While I have no way of answering this question, I do know that the new and the old both conspire to fill our lives with meaningful things.

Social media (1997) is young. While people have been collaborating for centuries, it’s only been within the last fifty years or so that we’ve been able to reach a global audience with our musings.

Cars (1886) and airplanes (1903) are each over one hundred years old. But they are also young in this world.

The first phone (1876) was a big improvement over the first telegram (1838). I can’t say how grateful I am for the first modern toilet paper roll (1857).

So, here’s a brief list of things that matter. I look forward to expanding on it later!

• The Children
  • First social media (28 years ago)
  • First rocket (99 years ago)
  • First airplane (122 years ago)
  • First car (139 years ago)
  • First records (148 years ago)
  • First phone (149 years ago)
  • First musical (159 years ago)
  • First magazines (162 years ago)
  • First refrigerator (191 years ago)
  • First computer (about 195 years ago)
• The Adolescents
  • First opera (428 years ago)
  • First dramatic play (almost 2500 years ago)
• The Adults
  • First sex toys (about 3000 years ago)
  • First song (over 3000 years ago)
  • First book (over 4000 years ago)
• The Wise Ones
  • First agriculture (12,000 years ago)
  • First clothing (120,000 years ago)
  • First controlled fire (1.9 million years ago)

Do you think this topic deserves more exploration?