I love the modern technology. I like the fact that you can turn on a computer without knowing anything about it and use it to navigate the information throughout the world. I love gadgets and hi-tech gadgets of all kinds, even if you don't understand them always. However, I think there is something that you lose the opportunity to children with all this high-tech stuff.
When I was a kid, my dad had an antique pocket watch which he inherited from his father. He let me look at it every once in a while--although he would closely monitor myself to make sure I didn't do anything for it. Loved that old clock, and looking inside I could easily understand why. It was an extremely well crafted. Some antique pocket watches can keep time that almost rivals that of quartz crystal display power. This was such a clock. Intricate gears were calibrated to be closer to perfection, as was possible.
I always wanted to dismantle that antique pocket watch to see what has done checkmark, but of course my Dad wouldn't allow it. That's why when I reached the age of 15 years, I bought an old broken pocket watch. Naturally I was curious, and I thought it would be a doddle to understand. Boy was I surprised-restoration of a clock is not a picnic.
However, a feeling of satisfaction. I had to remove every single piece of antique Pocket Watch, check it for flaws, clean it and put it back in exactly as it was. Since it was done, had spent hours, but I was able to witness the inner workings of antique pocket watch. I knew what he did every piece and knowing that it was very satisfying. I felt like I really mastered it and come to understand its inner workings.
When my kids get a little older, I hope they have learned to appreciate antique pocket watches, as well as fact. Computers are so abstract, information processing in chips with circuit breakers that are so small that no one can see with the naked eye. The beauty of an old clock is that you can really watch what's going on. This is something that you lose connection with modern technology. All things that feels like magic. It's nice to have something really can look inside and get to know.
