Grampy kept a forge
It was before my time, but my grandfather was the village blacksmith. Funny how my father never showed any interest in following in his footsteps. Then again, my father was a railway man, and I didn’t get into that line of business either. Perhaps it had something to do with evolving economies.
I read a quote today that I want to share. It runs peripherally to the above paragraph, but there is a tie. In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. – Eric Hoffer.
My grandfather was a player in an economy that required the horse. Hence, his forge was necessary. Things changed. My father was a telegrapher, in an economy that required the “iron horse”. Hence, his skill was necessary. Things changed. I am a technician in the world of information technology. My skills are necessary, to the same level that the skills of the blacksmith and the railroad telegrapher were necessary in their respective worlds. Without us, other people couldn’t do their jobs.
At the time, we were learners, and as we aged, we became the learned. The knowledge was pertinent to the time, and when “things changed” each became a superfluous player. There you have it, a model.
I’m unable to picture the next iteration, in the same way that my grandfather and my father were unable to picture what lay in store for their knowledge and ability. All things must pass.
