My father once said that in the future, people would see each other while talking on the phone. I disbelieved him; I believe it was in the 1970s. He died in 2007, and I don’t think he realised how close he came to experiencing what he said.
In my childhood in the 1950s, my mother walked or biked to one of the telephone boxes in our town. She wanted to call her mother of siblings. Sometimes, there would be a queue of people standing outside. We could never guess how long those in the box would talk before she could get in. When the one she called didn’t answer the phone, there would be no chance to leave a message.
My mother was so happy when she finally got a telephone installed at home. My twin brother and I weren’t allowed to call anybody, but we occasionally made fun when our grandmother called, trying to convince her that I was my brother and vice versa. We had time to read, sow, and do other creative activities in childhood and youth. I can’t help but collect things my grandchildren can use for creativity: Paper of different kinds and qualities and many other things. I can easily imagine using them for hours of creativity. When they visit, it doesn’t appeal to them in the way I remember.
Back to the phone subject from our time now. We use our phones for many purposes every day. I pay my bills in the stores with my phone. Find my way on trips abroad and buy tickets for transportation and events on my phone. What would my father think if I told him?
