Its a mess out there now. Hard to discern between whats a real threat and what is just simple panic and hysteria. For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900.
On your 14th birthday, World War I starts and ends on your 18th birthday. 22 million people perish in that war. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.
On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy.
When you turn 39, World War II starts. You arent even over the hill yet. And dont try to catch your breath. On your 41st birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war.
Smallpox was epidemic until you were in your 40s, as it killed 300 million peopleduring your lifetime.
At 50, the Korean War starts. 5 million perish.From your birth, until you are 55 you dealt with the fear of Polio epidemics each summer. You experience friends and family contracting polio and being paralyzed and/or die.
At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesnt end for 20 years. 4 million peopleperish in that conflict. During the Cold War, you lived each day with the fear of nuclear annihilation. On your 62nd birthday, you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, almost ended. When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends.
Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How did theyendure all of that? When you were a kid in 1985 and didnt think your 85-year-old grandparent understood how hard school was. And how mean that kid in your class was. Yet they survived through everything listed above. Perspective is an amazing art. Refined and enlightening as time goes on. Lets try and keep things in perspective.
Your parents and/or grandparents were called to endure all of the above you are called to stay home and sit on your couch!!!
Bicyclecamper said
09:01 PM May 12, 2020
Hear, Hear.
Sheba said
09:12 PM May 12, 2020
Good one Bob. Too many people today don't realise just how lucky we are in this day and age. And especially to be living in this country.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 12th of May 2020 09:16:43 PM
Travel Bug said
10:49 PM May 12, 2020
So true Bob!!
Whenarewethere said
07:32 AM May 13, 2020
My grandfather on my mum's side was in both world wars. Then moved to Australia. My Dad was an engineer on planes in England. Dropping bombs on my other half's family in Germany, some of whom fought in both world wars & some dying.
Choosing my timing well I missed out on the latter wars! But as a kid at school I still remember that when one grows up one goes to war!
We have not complained of any hardship over the last short few months!
dorian said
09:08 AM May 13, 2020
It's easy to lose perspective.
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die."
Its a mess out there now. Hard to discern between whats a real threat and what is just simple panic and hysteria. For a small amount of perspective at this moment, imagine you were born in 1900.
On your 14th birthday, World War I starts and ends on your 18th birthday. 22 million people perish in that war. Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two years. Yes, 50 million.
On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%. That runs until you are 33. The country nearly collapses along with the world economy.
When you turn 39, World War II starts. You arent even over the hill yet. And dont try to catch your breath. On your 41st birthday, the United States is fully pulled into WWII. Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people perish in the war.
Smallpox was epidemic until you were in your 40s, as it killed 300 million people during your lifetime.
At 50, the Korean War starts. 5 million perish. From your birth, until you are 55 you dealt with the fear of Polio epidemics each summer. You experience friends and family contracting polio and being paralyzed and/or die.
At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesnt end for 20 years. 4 million people perish in that conflict. During the Cold War, you lived each day with the fear of nuclear annihilation. On your 62nd birthday, you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, almost ended. When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends.
Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900. How did they endure all of that? When you were a kid in 1985 and didnt think your 85-year-old grandparent understood how hard school was. And how mean that kid in your class was. Yet they survived through everything listed above. Perspective is an amazing art. Refined and enlightening as time goes on. Lets try and keep things in perspective.
Your parents and/or grandparents were called to endure all of the above you are called to stay home and sit on your couch!!!
Good one Bob. Too many people today don't realise just how lucky we are in this day and age. And especially to be living in this country.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 12th of May 2020 09:16:43 PM
So true Bob!!
My grandfather on my mum's side was in both world wars. Then moved to Australia. My Dad was an engineer on planes in England. Dropping bombs on my other half's family in Germany, some of whom fought in both world wars & some dying.
Choosing my timing well I missed out on the latter wars! But as a kid at school I still remember that when one grows up one goes to war!
We have not complained of any hardship over the last short few months!
"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die."
- Mel Brooks.