We Always Think We Are Modern

     Every generation of mankind has always felt that they were modern. Modern means of or pertaining to or characteristic of recent times or the present. In that light they were in fact modern. In that light every generation of mankind truly is modern. As it pertains to the here and now or of recent times. 
     I enjoy watching old movies and TV shows. Not only for their content but also the contrast of the here and now. Most of us think of the early part of the twentieth century to be ancient times. But in the urban areas they had a lot of technology that we have and use today. Plumbing, electricity, skyscrapers, electric rail public transportation including subways, really precise items and the such. If you take in account of construction of bridges and building they used a lot of steel and a lot of that infrastructure is still in use today. The fact that they did not have computer or satellite technology really proves that these people were very skilled engineers. Most power assistance was from steam. If you look at the old factories a common axle driven by steam was ran by a belt to particular machines for a power source. The products produced were often of the highest quality that would be hard to reproduce even today. 
     So at any given time we are modern. Even if that may mean that we are not as advanced or skilled as a previous generation. Who at their given time were modern at that era. We think that we are modern and skilled. But in reality we are probably some of the most unskilled and lethargic generation that has ever existed. I hate to be the one breaking the bad news but clutching a smart phone and having the ability to eat prepared food does not make you skilled. And if your skill set contains a great ability to be clever enough to find a way not to do something you are quite modern by today's standards.
     The ancient societies were modern as well. If you think about all the engineering marvels they created. And we assume that they did not have some sort of machinery to help them. But let's say that they did. Maybe they did. And perhaps cell phones too. Then they evolved into what plunged the world into what was known as The Dark Ages. And we may be again on the verge of another Dark Ages as history does repeat itself. 
     Interesting enough this morning on the History Channel (actually a new show I think) was about Medieval times. Our common thoughts is that they were dirty and just unorganized is not true at all. They did build all those castles didn't they. They were civilized then as the Europeans are today. This was a good documentary covering things from agriculture, medicine, housing, clothing, warfare, food and many other aspects of daily life. Very good, I suggest watching it if they ever show it again instead of American Pickers all day long. 
     So by definition we are only are modern as the hour. And I feel that we do not possess the skills that other generations have had in the past. That does include myself.