People of the 21st century have been the butt of many jokes for the past decade. We call them 'that other species'. How could they not be? Unsociable, indifferent and difficult to talk to. You'll still find these words in our dictionaries - though not much of anywhere else. As I said at the beginning, this book seeks to shed some light on what is now a legend in sociology. It's easy for us to demonise because life is different now. They hadn't experience the same social renaissance we have. We say we're a truth-seeking, accepting, understanding people.
So let's do just that.
Lets look at the early 21st century, since it's the most relevant. Some 170 years prior to now, people of that culture and time lived in close proximity - but still far away. One 'street' would consist of many 'houses' (you can see where our word comes from). These weren't the open and communal spaces we've grown to love. These were walled-constructs, austere and uninviting. Save for a few mirrors spaced throughout. They even built walls around their walls.
Of course there was privacy to think about. The walls were part of a wider, deeper issue however. It was common for people of the time not to know their neighbours, let alone talk to them. Perhaps they didn't want to disturb one another. Perhaps it was the daunting number of houses surrounding. Though one has to wonder about they're priorities.
I find it intriguing how they defined their communities individually, house by house. We define our communities by just that; communities. We celebrate the birthday of the young boy 100m away, we gather regularly to dine and dialogue daily about our lives. We openly seek and embrace the fellowship of those around. Such things weren't always case for the 'winter humans'. Different lives in a different culture under different circumstances.
Our culture is fascinated with conversation. Instead of falling further into individualism, we've successfully revived the lost art of communicating. It's a shame the price tag was so high.
Take a walk outside your house in 2005 and you'd notice the difference. People could walk by each other without barely a grimace. Studying the plethora of videos they left, I noticed some people would say 'how you doing?' as a greeting. It didn't seem like a genuine question, but a well-intended gesture that wasn't meant to be answered. They wanted to talk. They wanted to stop a moment and get to know someone. Maybe they didn't know how. At least that's how it seemed.
I imagine this isn't the legacy they wanted to leave. We remember them at their worst. How were they at their best? Comforting and compassionate? I choose to believe that.
They tried. They really did. I'm sure. I'm also sure I'm not seeing the whole picture. I don't think any of us are.
Must have been hard. Living under a culture that trusts you'll walk by and leave it alone 'cause it wants to be left to its own thoughts and problems. Must have been hard, when that's exactly what a lot of those people probably didn't want.
Even if it's true, and it was like that. Even if no one came to visit - to knock on your door when you were feelin' down. To ask how you were, to remind you that someone cared. That'd be okay:
There was always the mail-man.
