Dad sent this poignant video of comedian/commentator Louis C.K. on Conan O’Brien my way a week or so ago.
I’ve written and said several times that one of the most tragic things about growing up is that it takes more and more to truly impress you. When the world loses its newness, it can take a little effort to rediscover the marvels of everyday life.
Isn’t it worth it, though? Technological advances are easy to miss because they’re gradual and ever-evolving, but take a snapshot of your life today and try to think back to a typical day of 20 years ago. There’s a hard drive in your iPod that wasn’t available for any computer at any price until very recently. When was the last time you considered how incredibly complex, yet freakishly reliable, your car is? Do you even remember what it feels like not to have access to a robust World Wide Web? I’ve written about that one before.
Louis C.K.’s comments on air travel really ring true with me. I don’t care for all of the logistics of flying, and I really dislike the near-fully relinquished control. But wow, the actual act of sitting in that airplane and looking out the window still rocks me. Flying home from Atlanta—a common last leg of any trip that only takes about half an hour—I usually look out continuously. I don’t expect I’ll ever “get over” that, because I don’t intend to.
The wonder isn’t only looking up into the heavens, or feeling the ocean lapping at your toes, or gazing out across a tree-lined valley. Sometimes it’s on an IC in your pocket. That wonder is just as genuine, if you remember to consider it.
You might also like:
- On Conan and Leno
I’m more interested in the latest late night talk show war than I’d like to be, but…there it is. S… - "Gathered together, from the cosmic reaches of the universe…"
Both of my boys are into SuperFriends. We have DVDs and everything. Well, that’s what I was into onc… - Leno (probably?) retires; Fallon takes Tonight Show reins
So now that Jimmy Fallon has lost his Tonight Show cherry, can we safely presume that Jay Leno is wa… - Martin Landau dead at 89
Martin Landau has just died at 89. Martin Landau has been in and out of most of my life. Some of my … - Of flying boats
I remember one of the times that Ahmadinejad was boasting of Iran’s military prowess, he talked abou…
That commentary is right on target. I remember when our next-door neighbor got a remote control (with the cable running from the TV to the remote). I thought it was the coolest thing. Or when FOX started broadcasting. Four channels! Wow!
What the hell did we used to DO, anyway?
Cheryl, I think we talked to each other (face to face) and played outside more. 🙂
Great video clip.
Terri, I enjoyed it too. I wish I could embed it.