WILL TECHNOLOGY SAVE US?

 

I listened to industry giants on PBS debate the current, hazardous economy. They described Greenspan as a Chairman on marijuana and Bernanke as a Chairman on crack, as a way to describe their fiddling with the economy. Hmmm. The question is, what happens to the man on the street? 

Also on was the young Greenland Hedge fund manager who wrote the book You Can Fool All Of The People All Of The Time. He concludes the market should be left alone, but it only works if everybody and every institution, does their job correctly, like the FCC, the Banks, the Government, the Federal Reserve, and only if the government enforces the laws already on the books. We all know THAT isn’t going to happen. They all seemed puzzled as we sink into the depths. They decried the bailout as the right thing to do, but that it was handled wrongly.
Technology will save us. Maybe. But which technology?

Truth to tell, I’m a little worried about how much technology we need. Phone communication is often  an ordeal. I ask myself,  do I  have a half or full hour to make the phone call and face the barrage of impersonal robots? Do I feel up to dealing with frustration right now?

I went for a mammogram yesterday, with the new, ultra sleek, exciting, digital machine. I don’t believe the old (new) one our hospital bought  was even paid for yet.  But, the little gadget above seemed like an extravagant toy. I went to register for my appointment at central registration. They took my paperwork and gave me a pager and told me to sit down. I’m only 15 to 20 feet from this person, who basically handed off the paper work to another worker next to her. Then when the pager vibrated and flashed I approached the second woman and she registered me for my appointment and put an armband on my arm. I mean, whatever happened to calling my name? Then I moved a few seats away and waited for them to call my name for the procedure. I actually do know my own name, which they checked on my armband. The armbands are a good idea, I can see how it could prevent mistakes, like operating on the wrong arm, that kind of thing. If you are under anesthetic and fuzzy brained, it helps to know who you are. But, are we turning into zombies?

Well, one consolation, the weather was a beautiful, balmy, shirtsleeves day. The color is developing on the hillsides as I drive. Hopefully, no technology will try to control the weather.

There is that cartoon of futuristic people excavating ground layers from the early 2000nds, that explains, “…this is when the zombies let the computers take over…”   When you are becoming a fossil you get to be a bit cynical.

THERE ARE STORIES IN STONES, (and bones.)

Both the boys and Grandma are delighted every time we have occasion to visit Stories In Stones, a local business in Angels Camp owned by Pam and Russ Shoemaker.
Its Owen and Theo’s favorite store.

From the giant grizzly bear skeleton to giant trilobites, the fossils here of all kinds fascinate them. What’s nice is that Pam and Russ are so willing to inform and educate the kids about everything in the store as well.

A giant geode taller than a ten and eight year old is like an old friend. Worth a small fortune, they are always glad it hasn’t sold and they get to see it one more time.

Their favorite room is the wholesale room even though they have to pay more for their purchases than the listed “wholesale” price. They understand wholesale and retail pricing. Theo came away with a geode pocket in a polished wood base and Owen bought an emerald sphere on a small tripod stand. Such treasures.
We bummed around town a bit before going to Moaning Cave. They’ve been to Mercer a couple times but never Moaning. Theo shuddered a bit at the hand winder that at one time lowered people into the unknown depths in a half barrel “bucket” holding a candle. And, at the skull of a 12 year old girl who fell into the cave during a  distant, unknown past. We enjoyed watching the rappelling while waiting for our walking tour.

The winder-

The skull and other human bones and artifacts. It is now against the law to remove remains from caves. After taking the cave tour, we proceeded to the little gold mining town of Columbia, which is also a California State Park.

A cool way to spend the hot afternoon, playing around in the gold panning trough. No sign of any gold, but they found little pieces of gem stones that are almost as pretty as gold, while the boys were as good as gold. Nope, better than gold.
Before breakfast this morning, Theo picked plums from the tree on the deck with Aunt Dawn. He hopes his mom will make cake with them.

Its a wild plum that just grew. Tasty but small. Just right for little boys.