Ok, so, to date, I’ve never re-visited a book on my blog. Especially one I posted about so recently, but I just can’t help thinking about Watching Glass Shatter. That makes my book hangover for this, what… like a week so far? Not that I mind. I like thinking about characters and books. I feel like I frequently know them better than the people I’m physically around. So, what was I thinking about? Olivia and how her story mimics reality so well. Let me explain.
Olivia now lives in a world where so many things have changed. Not only is she dealing with technology, but there are additional topics that are treated much more sensitively, such as LGBTQ+. It’s not that Olivia is against these things occurring… just that they’re new to her. She really struggles with first thinking through them. How does she feel? What’s her opinion? How does she navigate these topics in a way that’s appropriate for the culture she’s now a part of?
What this really got me thinking about was… is aging different now than aging 80 years ago? Do each of us experience this wave of new ideas/topics/tech that feel completely foreign to us? Obviously they wouldn’t be the same set, but are they there? Elvis was taboo at one point because of his music and dancing. Did the change in the music scene and how “the kids” were interacting at that point cause as much distress to older generations as Olivia experiences while navigating her life after her husband’s death?
Since I’m only 31, I really don’t know the answer… at least I won’t for another 30-40 years. Even then, will I truly have an answer? Maybe things will feel totally different, but will the shift have been as significant as it is right now? Mind you, I think a lot of the changes occurring/topics being shoved in the spotlight right now are important, but will there be a whole new wave of equally important things to work through once I’ve doubled in age?
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Maybe you’ll help me break out of this stream of consciousness. ♥
Reading Minds 
Hi. I can’t begin to explain how excited and honored it makes me feel to see this post. The Glass Family is in my head all day long, probably because the surname is a family name for me, but also I’m currently drafting Ethan’s short story, the first in the collection, and the outline for the overall sequel, this month. I live and breathe these people… that said, on to your topics… change and how people deal with it from today to 80 years ago.
When I thought about Olivia’s reaction to the world, I had to visit what she grew up in during the 1950s and 1960s. Even TV was just starting out at that point, her familiarity with anything beyond family was minimal. The drastic differences between her and Diane, her sister, are what ultimately push her to become more open and tolerant of things being different. Like you (or maybe a bit less than you), I’ve got 30-40 years before I can see this accurately playing out in front of me, but I am beginning to feel some of the concern with things like Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence. That will open a whole new ball game of what’s acceptable in terms of people’s behaviors with things that are not necessarily human.
I stayed away from social media the first few years it became popular, claiming I wanted a real connection with people. But as a shy person, social media ultimately made connecting easier, as the initial base was behind a ‘wall’ that kept me comfortable in sharing my voice on a blog. Could you imagine Olivia or Diane writing a blog? Yet, I’m friends and friendly with dozens of women over 65 via my blog who may or may not be just like those two women from my book.
I think it comes down to everyone’s got a more personal side within them, and as technology gives us more access to explore things, and they change more quickly, our minds open up more. In the 1920s, clothing was the big thing. People only saw new fashions in a few cities around the world. In the 2020s (or almost), we now see it anywhere before it’s even public. There’s time to adapt behind the scenes without others knowing, so when we make the big leap / conversion, there’s been a lot of time to ponder it without knowing you pondered it in the back of your mind.
So much more I could say, but I don’t want to take up your whole blog! 🙂 Great way to open dialogue! I might have to re-blog this tomorrow… (with your permission)
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the discussion. Part of me feels like the weird kid on the playground that keeps bugging you (and any other author I post about) to play and all of you let me in order to make your mothers proud.
You can absolutely re-blog!
I hadn’t even thought about AI and Virtual Reality coming out and how that will impact us as we move forward. The examples for fashion you gave or connecting on social media presents maybe even a sub-topic now that I’m thinking about. Will technology push us to silo ourselves more to those with whom we share similar interests? The internet is crazy and huge and opens up all the possibilities, but will we use it to search out those with shared ideas/interests and stay there? Or maybe we’ll all end up having awesome unrelated interests like motorcycles and mayo. Perhaps that is also something that falls on the personal side you mentioned. So much to think about!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So much! I will reblog later today. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never read this book, but I think I may have to!! I’m in my 30s and I just joined social media a little over a month ago (I know, unheard of) so, I am one of these strange people who is already shaking their fists and saying *kids these days don’t know what it was loke in my day! * I feel like there’s even more of a generation gap than there was 80 yrs ago… But maybe I just feel that way because I’m FEELING the generation gap! Lol! There is too much information out there that’s too easily accessible and not monitored properly, to the point where younger people think they know everything. People are feeling more connected through all of this social media, when really they’re all isolating themselves more and more. As someone who’s big girl job is in retail, I see it all the time. People ordering online more so they don’t have to go out, and those that do go out have no social etiquette. If they don’t have a phone or computer to auto-correct for them they don’t know how to interact. I have teenagers who come in and hold out money asking me ‘is this enough?’ or who can’t write their names… It’s a scary world out there already… Sorry if this made no sense pertaining to your book. Lol! (and sorry for my rant!) I’m an old soul,what can I say? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally understand! I don’t have children, so it’s a different interpretation. I can’t imagine how things will evolve in this way. I’m glad to hear you like the sound of the book. I hope you choose to read it and that you like it too! Michelle’s generated a great conversation here, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it totally applies! I didn’t even think about the impact tech can have on potentially diminishing “in person” interactions with others. It’s a great point. And you should definitely check out the book. It’s not my in my “go to” genres, but I’m so glad I stepped out of them for this read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think ageing now as opposed to 80 years ago (as an side, any particular reason you chose 80 as the gap?) is much different. I look at my grandmother and great grandmother both of whom are still around to assess this question. My great-grandmother, for instance has;t really changed much of her mind set. What she was taught was right from wrong and a young girl remains constant for her and she judges by those standards. My grandmother, about 20 years younger, is a bit different. She’s still stubborn about some things but has embraced technology. When she was in her mid 60s she got her first computer and taught herself how t0 type so she could send email to her sisters who live in different countries. Today she uses her smart phone and trolls my FB account (and those of her other grandchildren)! Really, we’ve considered blocking her. 😄
I think as our world is more connected these days for many of us we can use it to learn about and empathise with people different from ourselves. That’s how I hope it will work for me anyways. 🙂
LikeLike
I started to say 100 years ago and felt like maybe that was too big a gap… and 50 felt to small. So I just Goldilocks’d it went with an in between. So maybe as we age in a time when so much is changing we’ll be more open to any future shifts in culture/technology? That’s a nice thought. I hope we have that one happen! Thanks for stopping by. Also, your grandmother sounds awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fair enough. I see what you mean about choosing 80. I do hope we become more open to change. Not all change is bad after all.
My grandmother is certainly a character 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this book with a passion and these are such good questions some of which certainly haven’t crossed my mind before. I love the way that you’ve thought about this! And it’s lovely to meet you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the kind words. It’s great to meet you too!
LikeLike
I have several decades of life experiences to fall back on, and I can guarantee that growing older today is much different than it was “way back when” (I won’t say HOW far back!). Technology has boomed unbelievably. When I was born TV was just beginning to come into the family home. Black and white, of course. As a teenager I could receive only one channel with rabbit ears. If you were fortunate enough to afford an antennae you could also pick up the next nearest channel 90 miles away (although not always clear). And of course, you had to get up and change the channel by twisting the tuner dial if you had the two channels. Party lines still existed for telephones in many areas. Zip codes were practically non-existant. There was no NASA or satellites or space stations. Airliners were all props for most of my childhood. Polio was still a threat, but as a young school kid we received the first vaccine available, a drop of pink liquid taken with a sugar cube. I could go on, but you get the picture. And for my parents, there were even more shocking changes, as you can imagine. My grandparents were alive before man ever took flight; before automobiles rolled down the streets; before most medicines taken for granted today existed and the death rates for babies and children were sadly very high due to commonly cured diseases today.
I’ll end by saying I’m much closer to 80 than I am to 31, and yet I often stop and wonder where did all the time go? I ought to be that 12-year-old playing Little League baseball; the boy who emulated Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Enjoy life while you can. It goes by so quickly, and faster as you grow older. Thanks for a great post! 🙂
–Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an interesting take on the discussion. I’m so glad you stopped by. I hope to one day help provide this kind of insight to someone else!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am not going to reiterate what was said already but add a couple of things. I just turned 60 and really notice a lot of changes that I didn’t think bothered me, but do. I have two kids and 2 grandchildren. The biggest thing is communication. It really bothers me when I see a group of people, especially in a restaurant using their devices instead of talking to one another. I am sure this has my parents rolling over in their graves. The second is how parents let television, video babysit their kids instead of spending time with them. As a teacher and school administrator, that is a frustration. So much good has come out of technology over the years, and I have tried to keep up (I don’t tweet) but everything in moderation.
What a great post to get us all thinking about our lives; past, present and future, as well as highlighting a book you really enjoyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great reminder! Anything good can quickly become a nightmare if we don’t practice moderation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people text me when we’re in the same room. It always feels weird no matter how many times it happens!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this musing, Michelle. I don’t think it’s changed much over the centuries. Young people by nature push the envelope forward and old people are comfortable with what they know and grew up with. I grew up without computers! To my grandson, they’re part of his everyday life at 4 years old. I’ve kept up with technology to a degree, but do find myself more and more steps behind every year. Concerning attitudes, here’s an interesting quote: “The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.” Guess who said that? Socrates. 😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s an awesome quote! It makes sense that its cyclical in nature; the whole “history repeats itself” idea. I’m just not patient enough to wait to learn myself so I spend my time wondering about things like this. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wondering is good though! Wondering leads to understanding and inspiration. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think aging was different 80 years ago. If you lived to be old, you suffered aches and pains, Urination issues were probably common(no prostate checks then) It was all a part of being old. Now your doctor hands you a fist full of pills for every little issue. Things you lived with are checked and cured now. It’s a new world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. This is true. And if we can’t fix the physical, just hand me another pill to forget who I am completely!
LikeLiked by 1 person