Feature ArticleSeptember 5, 2001
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Ancient Wisdomby Bill Rowsome " Every grain of rice wasted is that much less for the grandchildren" - Chinese proverb.
Many of today's grandparents have observed the evolution of the model T Ford into screaming Formula Ones, seen the biplane develop into a man- carrying moon landing rocket, graduated from back houses to bidets, and have moved from quill to computer. We grew up in an exciting world, and paid scant attention to some of the effects we had upon it. Our ancestors straightened and recycled used nails, refilled empty bottles and jars, and composted animal and household waste back into the fields and gardens; they didn't dump their garbage on the neighbours. They repaired most belongings to postpone the purchase of a replacement until absolutely necessary, and recycled left-over food into soup and hash. Many of these conservation chores have become a lost art.
Times have changed - for better, or for worse? There is no doubt that life is more comfortable now, and I was going to say, more interesting, but I have some doubts about that. The present behavior of bored children somewhat supports my reservation.
Past progress has had its cost. Ease of life provided by nuclear power, excessive use of fossils fuels, wholesale destruction of forests, damming of rivers, excessive packaging of goods, and paving over productive fields have left our children and grandchildren a legacy of increasingly barren land and toxic wastes. With ballooning population growth in the world and whole continents wanting our western standard of living, there seems little hope of neutralizing the poisoned environments we have produced. We are reluctant to reduce our standard of living to better that which our grandchildren will inherit, but we must do something. We cannot solely rely upon their ability to clean up the world.
Am I just an old fellow who can't keep up with progress? Granted, I do have a difficult time accepting some of the changes. Are prenuptial agreements (when there are nuptials) a good substitute for an unconditional and life-long family commitment? Does a single parent better raise children, rather than making a concerted effort to maintain family togetherness?
Seems to me that I heard my grandparents expressing similar fears. "The world is going to hell in a handcart!" was one admonishment I heard when trying to explain what life was like at university. I expect I will be telling my grandchildren the same, or should I?
The up and coming generations are going to live longer and be healthier, except for allergies spawned by our toxins and our preoccupation with cleanliness. They will have increased quantity of life - but what of its quality? They have access to a store of vastly increased knowledge, but recently published test results of the provincial grade 10 examinations makes one wonder at our ability to teach and absorb it.
Unfortunately, by example, we are instilling in them the belief that the fast lane is the path to take, competitive consumerism is exciting, so-called disposable objects are preferable, and consider ones self above all else. This is not a legacy that I am proud to leave behind.
