Alternate Worlds Explored Archive b/j

7/27/03: Let it all Burn/ Wheel? What's that?

If your home were to be totally destroyed by fire but you could save just one thing, what would it be?
(Don't forget the reasons behind your decisions!)

I have experienced this prompt before. I was a Freshman in college and I was taking English 101. I think I said that I'd grab my book bag because of the expense of replacing all my college texts. The Prof wasn't convinced that this was a believable reaction and I got counted off for my choice. But a couple weeks later it was suggested that I drop her class and enroll in one that was more challenging as I seemed to have the basics and the next step up would benefit me more.

But when it comes to this question today, there isn't just one thing I would attempt to save. If I saved my computer, then I would lose the backup disks for all my writing. If I saved my back up disks then I would lose every thing I've recently written that isn't on a back up or posted here at writing.com. If I cheated and said I would save my desk, then my computer, keyboard, monitor, back up disks and computer games as well as a supply of pens, paper, envelopes and other assorted desk items would be saved with it. But then I would lose all my books, movies, and music from where I get much of my inspiration to write.

I'd lose all my clothing except for what I was wearing. I'd lose all my old journals from my childhood.

I realize the most common answer is the family photo album or an heirloom that could never be replaced. But I have no family photo album or any heirlooms. I've already lost them through life's little emergency moves and breakups.

When it comes right down to reality and what I'd save, it would be nothing. My mind tends to freeze in a panic and if the house is burning, I would most definately panic. I would save myself and then grieve my losses.

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If you could "uninvent" one thing in the world so that it would no longer exist, what would you choose?
(Don't forget the reasons behind your decisions!)

This is a hard one. My first inclination is to say I'd uninvent the wheel. Life would be physically harsher, but simpler all the way around. When people are concentrating on the day to day basics of survival, there isn't any time to miss the liesure or fear the horrors that we as people experience today and all because of the wheel.

Life expectancy was about 35 or 40. Disease was rampant. Combat was hand to hand. The strong was right and the weak were conquered. Life was black and white and the color grey did not exist. You either survived or you didn't. You either adapted to survival or you didn't. Fear fine tuned your instincts and everyday life had an edge to it. Hell, the stress of trying to survive was experienced by everyone, not just the unfortunates. The concept of equality was buried. The equalizer was that stupity or laziness or foolishness was usually a death sentence.

Unfortunately, cruelty was the rule rather than the exception. It goes with living with everything to lose with a single mistake. Usually, that mistake was any sign of weakness seen by those coveting your status.


Take care and may your road lead to only good places.

Deb

Compassion and the effort to try and understand some thing that was not understood before is a step toward acceptance not only of others but most importantly of yourself.

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