Ha! Your comment means the world to me, @jbreheny. Writing in this format is a new for me as you know (that critical voice). Thank you!
I have often pondered on the whereabouts of the torch-bearers, light-bringers as you have so aptly named them. I believe this stems from our current dependence on technology and innovation.
I believe you are right. I always feel like a fish out of water when I'm in social groupings these days as everyone is so linked to their iphones....it's become an appendage to conversation. I'll say something and someone is already 'looking it up' and answering with the first link that comes up and that becomes their opinion on the topic. Email has even fallen by the way side replaced by text messages in small little bite-size pieces of incomplete sentences and emoji's. I am definitely no fan of iphones - I use mine as a camera and gps and seldom answer if someone texts or calls on it ;) I don't like the EMF issue with them either. But for the most part, I just don't like what they have done to human interaction and conversation. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not behind someone on the cell phone texting while driving, too. Ugh No fan. I'm quite sure this is here to stay though...it gets harder and harder to maintain my stubborn stance when this is the way the rest of the world communicates.
So, amazing to read about Thomas Jefferson and the slaves. I will have to spend a considerable amount of time digging into this interesting history. My son loves history so much so maybe we will dive in together (the beauty of homeschooling). :) Thank you for the link - prompted my interest.
I find myself doing research on something that will pop into my head when I'm reading posts, like I did with Thomas Jefferson while reading your post. Turns into a whole educational affair. How long have you been home-schooling your son? Our sons last day of school is 5/18 (next Friday) and then we will be home-schooling him (road-schooling actually). We can't wait. He's so ridiculously intelligent. He learns so much watching YouTube videos and blowsboth my wife and myself away with some of the things he's learned.
You are absolutely right in the fact that phones / technology aren't going away, we just need to learn to be more considerate of others while using our technology. Especially when driving.