I had a family reunion a few years ago at Birch Bay, WA. My great-grandfather homesteaded there, and I grew up there as the fourth generation to live there. I moved away, the fifth generation did not live there. The area changed quite a bit in the 40+ years I didn't live there, and it was odd to stand on the beach at one end and look across the water. So many of the human-made landmarks were changed or gone completely. For instance, the roller-skating rink I had a job at as skate boy wasn't there. It was a big building with a rounded roof, easy to spot. A few landmarks weren't completely gone, but time had touched everything.
I remarked on this to my cousin, who said, "Yeah, they didn't ask our permission, did they?!" This made me smile.
I also noticed that many of the features I remembered - more the geological features - but also the "how humans are" features - hadn't changed at all. This comforted me.
It's this kind of looking that I try to do whenever I'm tempted to be That Guy. Yeah, things have changed, but lots of things haven't changed - it's just the window dressing of people doing stuff without my permission.
There's a real loss. Things we used to do, or have, we can't do or have any more. It's a progression of life, and it's unavoidable. Knowing what it is, though, can allow you to look at the things that are really precious, and it isn't the jar of fish sauce or the roller-skating rink you used to work at that no longer exists.
Since you are a reality based economist, I would expect you to avoid the curse of "Golden Ageism". I.e. The belief that some past era represented the peak of the human condition and achievement. That's a good start on not becoming that guy. Not to mention all your brilliant commenters who strive to keep you humble.
A "That Guy" comments:
As this era passes my reactions to my readings have become more gross. The use of "What a Piece of Shit" and the like leap out of my mouth. Sad.
The "That Guy" thing is a thing for me, too.
I had a family reunion a few years ago at Birch Bay, WA. My great-grandfather homesteaded there, and I grew up there as the fourth generation to live there. I moved away, the fifth generation did not live there. The area changed quite a bit in the 40+ years I didn't live there, and it was odd to stand on the beach at one end and look across the water. So many of the human-made landmarks were changed or gone completely. For instance, the roller-skating rink I had a job at as skate boy wasn't there. It was a big building with a rounded roof, easy to spot. A few landmarks weren't completely gone, but time had touched everything.
I remarked on this to my cousin, who said, "Yeah, they didn't ask our permission, did they?!" This made me smile.
I also noticed that many of the features I remembered - more the geological features - but also the "how humans are" features - hadn't changed at all. This comforted me.
It's this kind of looking that I try to do whenever I'm tempted to be That Guy. Yeah, things have changed, but lots of things haven't changed - it's just the window dressing of people doing stuff without my permission.
There's a real loss. Things we used to do, or have, we can't do or have any more. It's a progression of life, and it's unavoidable. Knowing what it is, though, can allow you to look at the things that are really precious, and it isn't the jar of fish sauce or the roller-skating rink you used to work at that no longer exists.
Since you are a reality based economist, I would expect you to avoid the curse of "Golden Ageism". I.e. The belief that some past era represented the peak of the human condition and achievement. That's a good start on not becoming that guy. Not to mention all your brilliant commenters who strive to keep you humble.