What's Done Isn't Always Done

Yesterday morning, a bright yellow ambulance showed up in front of our house. That's always a troubling sight even when it's not your ride. Later in the day I learned it had been summoned by our neighbor who suffered polio as a child and is now experiencing the troubling symptoms of Post-polio Syndrome, specifically new weakening in the muscles that were originally affected by the virus 20, 30 or 40 years ago and had recovered, as well as in muscles that were originally unaffected. A terrible turn of events, and so unexpected, it's proof that nothing can be counted on except the fact that nothing can be counted on.

Then this morning I heard two radio deejays excitedly discussing the fact that "vinyl is making a comeback." They went on to suggest that "if you've still got one in the attic, it's time to dust off your old turntable." That got me wondering what the next big thing will be now that Facebook has suffered a glancing blow that could prove fatal. Like the Titanic, many people are already fleeing the sinking ship. Before too long we might all be saying, "Hey, remember Facebook?"

Since the human brain is only that big and not much bigger, it's likely that a past obsession will make an encore appearance. But which one? Hula hoops? Board games? Drive-in movies? With any luck, face-to-face conversation between actual people who are in the same place at the same time will become popular again. You never know -- worse things have happened. (See opening paragraph.)