I was in my last year or two of high school when my parents bought their first microwave. It was so exciting! For a child of the 60’s and 70’s, I felt like I had just entered the Star Trek era. In goes frozen food – out comes a beautifully prepared, delicious meal.
Then we began to actually use it. First of all, the thing was the size of a Smart Car – and just about as useful! (Okay, that was a cheap shot.) Then, when we turned it on, it sounded like a 50,000 watt transformer was switched on! I’m also pretty sure the seal wasn’t perfect, which might explain the 3rd eye growing in the middle of my forehead.
The truth is, while a microwave is a useful tool, it’s not the right tool for everything. I love to eat, and when I go to an elegant restaurant, I’m glad they don’t prepare the entire meal in a microwave.
As a “Type A” kind of guy, I need to remind myself constantly that bigger and faster isn’t always better. Better is better. Most often, meaning, purpose and beauty are found in nuance and subtlety. I’m glad that Steinbeck and Dickens didn’t write in Cliff’s Notes. I’m glad my friend and artist Mako Fujimura takes the time to meticulously prepare his materials before he starts creating his amazing works. It takes time to create, and it takes time to experience someone’s creation.
When I read a great book, experience a great work of art, or eat a gourmet meal, I’m glad that not everything can be summed up in 140 characters. (Check out this hilarious video that illustrates this beautifully.)
To be sure, there are many situations where I am glad I have a microwave at my disposal. Like most of us, I’m a busy guy with a busy family, and I often need to move quickly. While I do appreciate the convenience, what I really appreciate the time it saves to free me up to savor moments that are begging to be savored.
What’s your story?
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