I recall as a child, overhearing my Grandparents speak of the “Good Old Days.” My parents would politely nod in agreement while sipping cocktails that my dad would make a little too strong for a family holiday gathering. As the oldest child I the family, I would listen to these conversations and take these opinions as the gospel truth. Sadly, as I grew older and wiser to the ways of the world, many of these comments I treated as certain fact began to peel away like layers of an onion.
Reasons why we romanticize our youth could fill volumes of thick reference books in our libraries. When I look back, it feels things were so much simpler than they are today. In fairness, nobody expected much of me, and I rarely surpassed those low expectations. But when I recall single events, I have a different viewpoint altogether.
I grew up during the Cold War. I recall having air raid drills in school where we were told to duck under our desks, as if we would somehow be protected from a nuclear attack on the floor.
The Vietnam war was underway, leaving fifty-eight thousand Americans dead, and many more disabled physically and mentally.
The air was so polluted there were days when we were not allowed to play outside. I was twenty years old before ever seeing a Bald Eagle in the wild.
We had race riots, assassinations, airline hijackings, and political corruption.
In contrast, today we have a greater life expectancy, much cleaner air, and Bald Eagles routinely fly over my house.
Yes, things are different, and in many ways more complicated, however, the world is still run by humans who are flawed by nature, and I am doubtful we will ever achieve any degree of Nirvana.
So, you might be wondering what bee got in my bonnet caused me to spew all this negativity… well… It was Apple Music. I no longer must call a radio DJ and make a request to hear a song. Nor do I have to get in a car and drive to a record store to purchase a record. All I to do is type an artist name into a search bar and I can listen to every recording in their catalog. It is an amazing advancement in technology, with the cost being close to the same as the purchase of two albums back when I was in high school.
I hear some of you screaming about how the artists are getting screwed by streaming music services. I really get it. I do believe at some point musicians will unite and get a more equitable deal than they now enjoy. I am certain that the cost will be pushed upward to make available more of the revenue with the artists.
Until that day, I will continue to enjoy the convenience of not having to leave my house listen to obscure recordings from those days of my youth.
DE Haines
Twisted Words OF D.E. Haines 