I often wonder what defines the period in which we live.
Obviously, as I write, the Covid-19 virus that almost instantaneously surfaced around the globe defines this particular period of time. The virus lasts, and probably mutates because no one knows much about it or how to combat it. Even if inoculation and vaccination work, it has a head start on us. It manifests itself even in the bodies of people who hope that by keeping distances apart, washing hands and wearing masks will be of help in avoiding it. At least these prophylactic measures are things we can all actually do.
With the virus has come the demise in the use of paper currency and coinage, and with it the reliance on internet banking with all its pitfalls - like scamming theft.
At this time, computers and mobile telephones have become even more important in business and at home. We no longer wonder why people seem to be talking to themselves in the street, or suddenly stopping mid-pavement to concentrate on a telephone conversation.
With this reliance on the computer comes awareness that we are in the hands of powerful forces about which or whom we know little, except that in dealing with the internet we play into their greedy hands. Their gadgets cause much unhappiness, time-wasting and frustration. The electronic items seem to fail too often, with the users needing assistance, consuming yet more time. And when at home or office there are all those connecting wires to sort out and deal with.
More and more the "takeaway" takes over from proper home cooking. Pizza reigns. At least there are few short cuts when consuming alcoholic drinks, some of which contain elements that are clearly beneficial to health.
The art world continues to be run by the power of the salesroom, gallery owners, promoters, critics, and often gullible customers. Thus, some second rate artists are boosted far beyond their real worth. But the buyer is wise - until coming to sell the objects bought. Sculptors shine, certainly in the form of work by Gormley and Kapoor. But large does not alway mean good.
Architecture prospers more in countries that are willing to take a chance in the lust for progress. Except in London for Renzo's Chard, it must be committees of old codgers that turned down the building of Libeskind's V & A extension yet allowed the monstrous National Gallery extension to go ahead. For imaginative architecture one must look abroad. I still like the I.M. Pei Bank of China Tower building in Hong Kong for its simplicity and power.
It is fashionable at this present time for young men to sport beards. They may think that they look more distinctive with one, but they are beginning to all look rather alike.
As for women's fashion, originality is essential in their world, but most women only keep an eye on high fashion, buying clothes, with a nod to fashion, that suit them personally. Most must be glad that there is not an overwhelming style to almost have to follow - like "the new look" was in its time.
Fossil fuel is becoming a dirty word, with renewable energy sources and non-polluting methods of power and heat much to the forefront. Wind farms and windmills, natural gas, solar panels, pollution-free wood burning stoves, heat pumps and hydrogen are all promoted. Electricity suffers from difficult storage and heavy batteries. I favour hydrogen power from water to make electricity, and using geothermal heat when right below us is an endless source of power if we could only tap it economically. But the two inventions that would surely make the world a better place are: extracting hydrogen from water easily and economically, and creating compact, lightweight, and easily produced storage for quantities of electricity.
Air, sea and land travel will continue to lure business people and holidaymakers toward foreign lands and customs, despite there being conflicts of one kind or another throughout the world. But plagues, like the present virus one, will make people more aware of the pleasures to be gained from their own countries and be only too pleased to have an excuse for avoiding the palaver of airports, customs, handling luggage, currency, mosquitoes, unpleasant creatures, and diseases that are rife elsewhere.
When overburdened with the cares that surround us at every turn during this period of civilisation, I believe that it is essential to completely relax once in a while. This means sitting or lying still and eliminating all thoughts from your brain and, at the same time relaxing every muscle in your body. We might call it total relaxation or mindfulness. The Dutch call it 'Niksen'.
