Technology has added much to our lives but along with it has come side effects. First, we’re so accustomed to these technologies that life would seem unbearable without them: electricity, gas, clean water, supermarkets, medicines, etc. And, arguably, some side effects may cause more harm than benefit. We have come to feel our luxuries are really necessities such as television, microwaves, phones, automobiles, etc. Can’t live without them. But can we?
I was taking in all the beauty while walking the path along Spring Creek when I realized I could not enjoy this beauty without the my glasses. For me my glasses are both a luxury and necessity. I had to laugh and knew I wanted to write about it. But first, I wanted to know who invented or discovered eyeglasses? Using one of my other technological tools I did a google search.
Wikipedia states: The earliest written record of magnification dates back to the 1st century AD, when Seneca the Younger, a tutor of Emperor Nero of Rome, wrote: “Letters, however small and indistinct, are seen enlarged and more clearly through a globe or glass filled with water”. Thus began the invention of using optics so “I” could see on my walk. Without optical technology I would not be looking at the world through my glasses or camera or writing this post. And, that would not be a good thing. 🙂
And, it’s snowing this morning.
2 Comments
paul
I think that your glasses are a necessity, not a luxury. You need them to function properly in your life. They’re not something that you just have because you want them, or you feel more comfortable with them, etc, like a cell phone. Sometimes, if I leave the house without my cell phone, even if I’m just backing out of the driveway and, I’ll leave it. I don’t necessarily miss it. I remember that my ex-wife would be almost in a panic if she were out without her cell – I would reminder her that no so many years ago, we survived without them, but she wasn’t hearing it! 😀
Monte Stevens
When I got these glasses I was astonished at how much better I could see with them. The reasons were 1) my previous prescription was not correct, 2) I believe the technology continues to improve. But, just like the phone I could function without my glasses but admittedly poorly. Nor, I do not want to live that way. Yet, there are people in this world who do not have glasses? So, when I think of it in that respect it can be a luxury.