OJ,
You also certainly call the way you see things.

That was written last night just as the library was closing, so I ended more abruptly than I intended. Our story was more give and take and a real discussion, less abrupt than the way I ended it here.

It seems to me that we have as a society become more self-centred, less concerned with the welfare of others and of the community than was true in earlier generations ... and "locations", possibly, as I grew up on a farm near a village and our village and church was mainly long-term residents, so it had become somewhat like larger, or extended family.

As a farmer I learned of the importance of being in tune with the earth and using resources carefully and with discretion, not wasting them. The fact troubles me that while small, single-horse-drawn covered wagons delivered milk, bread and ice to homes in cities, about 70 years ago, that they began building refrigerators about 60 years ago, that a substantial percentage of the ones that they built 50 years ago lasted for 40 years ... but that a substantial proportion of the ones that they build today last for about ten years.

I feel doubly troubled: that we're wasting precious resources, of petroleum and iron ore, smelters, cutting and shaping machines and trucks to haul the parts ... including plastics, which are also sourced from petroleum.

It took millions of years to produce it, and we've been using a major portion of the earth's supply in the last less than 100 years. It seems to me that our grandkids will be angry with us for our wastefulness, our profligacy.

Secondly ... when the engineers, who haven't become stupider in the last 50 years, build a fridge and sell it to me with a smile on their face, that'll last about a fifth as long as they could make it to last ...

... I feel cheated ... sort of like being mugged (without a gun).

That's without making reference to all of the pollution and global warming that are being generated by these wasteful ways that we've developed in recent years.

And are guaranteed to become more acute, as millions in various parts of the world become more prosperous.

Dad taught me that when I was doing a job ... that I should do it RIGHT! (And when I didn't ... I had to do it over again).

Plus ... when you work with folks scores of thousands of whom have left their former lives and become refugees in another part of their war-torn country with nothing but the clothes on their backs, as you learn how the small things of life become precious to them, you learn of the value of all aspects of this, what I believe to be God's world, that S/He's entrusted into our hands and expects us to make use of as responsible stewards.

ole joyful

Ole Joyful:

Your article has the makings of good editorial. I wouldn't be surprised to see it inside the back page of a chruch bulletin.

Your remarks about refrigerators rang a bell since the company I worked for made thermostat controls for many refrigerators. I agree that refrigerators made 60 year ago were different to the ones produced today. First and foremost, those old fridges were as simple as could be. They had just enough parts to be a refridgerator. The only extra was a compartment that was extra cold for freezing ice; There were no other features to go haywire. The materials were quality. Reliability, or the downgrade of reliability is related to the number of parts and the 'stresses' (loads) on those parts. Pile on more features and gadgets and reliability reduces. Some reliability can be regained by using higher quality parts, but that has a limit that was already reached in the older fridges.

Cost containment takes a toll as well. Cost reductions were necessary else the newer models (with added features) would not be affordable for the average home. Greater use of aluminum is present and aluminum is a difficult material to work with for making cooling colis.

Those drink and ice dispensers in the door adds complexity and provide more sources for things to go wrong. The same goes for electronic control boards.

The older refrigerators used a very good refrigerant, but environment concerns about the ozone layer all but stopped the manufacture of that matrerial. Different formulations had to be found and developed. New compressors and controls were required for the change. In spite of these changes, ways were found to increase the efficiency and today, you get more ice cube per kilowatt.

From 1965 to 1976, I struggled with a badly design refrigerator. It was replaced in 1976 and that one is still with us merrily humming along. As a home owner, I 've had a bad one and very good one. The good one has given 38 years of service and continues today.

Ed - your observation is 'spot on' as my Dad used to say. It's a sad commentary on our current progress as a society. All too often we find ourselves caught up in the rat race to succeed and sometimes we need to slow down and reflect on what real success is.

Thanks,
Maire

I agree with your thought processes. I wish Christians (and we've had a hard time with this from the very first Christians, note I am lumping myself in this category) were greedier about who and how they helped.

An inspiring story below.

Here is a link that might be useful: how about a beggar in ragged clothes helps