Legacies

Howard Chen

Introspection unveils a profound metamorphosis within. As I sit by the Sumida River in Tokyo, savouring a chocolate bar from my childhood, I'm struck by the stark contrast between past and present experiences. The memory of saving my pocket money to purchase this once-coveted treat, popularised by incessant local TV advertisements, feels distant now. I recall the excitement of asking the familiar shopkeeper, whom their face I still remember, to reserve one specially for me. Yet, as I indulge in this same confection today, I find myself unable to discern whether the taste remains unchanged. More significantly, I realise it no longer holds the same allure. In our modern society, we face constant pressure to optimise our lives, regardless of our role as consumers or contributors. This pursuit of efficiency, however, comes at a cost. The sense of nostalgia that washes over me stems from an internal shift - a diminishing capacity to derive joy from life's smaller pleasures. As accessibility and efficiency increase, the thrill of novelty fades. This phenomenon extends beyond the mere dissipation of hype. A pervasive ennui has taken root in my psyche, leaving me acutely aware that any momentary elation will inevitably dissolve, much like the cherished memories of the past, lost to the march of time.

berkingurakan

Agreed @sonosero. Most of what we do in our daily lives has become so transactional that there are no unexpected reactions or learnings. In a sense, we’re not exercising our social muscles, nor do we observe or even bother to communicate. I believe this is the phase where we’re beginning to experience the darker side of contemporary technology. And @Howards' point on asking the shopkeeper for a favour, I'm not sure today I have those interactions anymore. I do miss it.