People from the Future

I’ve been thinking about how life will be for people in the future, many generations from now when the earth’s resources have been depleted.

Early in the autumn last year we had a blackout in our area, a very rare happening. It was a strange experience - when I looked out through the windows it was completely dark all around accompanied by an eerie silence.

Made me wonder how the people of the future will live without any electricity, gas and petrol. I’m trying to picture life without cookers, fridges and washing machines, heating and cooling systems, PCs, TVs, phones, cars, trains and planes. How will people cook their food, how will they keep warm, how will they earn a living? What will happen to shops, offices, schools and hospitals?

I’m reminded that some people already live life with very little use of electricity. People like some relatives I have in India. The few days I spent with them last year in their village opened my eyes to a different way of life. Practically everything was home grown, from the wheat to rice and even spices like turmeric. They have their own water supply and milk. Cooking is over a clay stove using fire wood from the fields. The crops they grow are also their source of income. Sure, things would change for them too, they wouldn’t be able to use their tractors if there were no diesel, but then they already know how to farm without one and are happy to get around by bicycle. They have a very independent and self-sufficient way of life. Things don’t grind to a halt when there’s no electricity, they can still cook food, keep warm, wash and earn a living. I wonder if they are the people from the future …

Health and the Seasons

The snow has really created a holiday atmosphere with everyone I spoke to or met today. It’s been too long in coming for someone like me.

I have a theory regarding optimum health and the seasons. For the past few years I’ve noticed as soon as it hits 1st September and the days begin to get cooler, an internal alarm clock goes off for me. The colder and darker the days become, the happier and healthier I am. By the December holidays I’m really thriving.

My theory is that our bodies recognise the weather conditions we were born into and it responds positively to them. I’m born in early January at the height of the winter, so the frost and icy temperatures bring out the best in me, making me feel energetic and bright.

I tested my theory out on a friend, at first it seemed completely way off. She likes high temperatures with lots of rain, not really typical kind of UK weather. Delving a little deeper, I discovered she wasn’t born in England at all; she’s actually born in an African country which does have those weather conditions around the date of her birthday.