Some Things are Different and Some Things are the Same

It occurred to me today, while I was sitting around thinking about stuff, which I have plenty of time for these days, that it has been twenty years since I graduated from law school. (Not quite, really -- I think the graduation was in May or maybe June, but close enough, right?) And it occurred to me also just how much the world has changed over the course of these past twenty years. But also, how much it has remained the same. A few examples to illustrate:

• President?

• 1993: Clinton

• 2013: Obama

• Phone?

• 1993: Hanging on my kitchen wall.

• 2013: In my pocket.

• Flying cars?

• 1993: Nope.

• 2013: No, but check out this awesome phone. Seriously.

• Space Colonies?

• 1993: Nope.

• 2013: See above.

• DFW?

• 1993: IJ*

• 2013: RIP

• Age of the Earth?

• 1993: Approximately 4,540,000,000 years old.

• 2013: Approximately 4,540,000,020 years old.

• Me?

• 1993: 30 years old and looking for a job.

• 2013: 50 years old and looking for a job.

• Porn?

• 1993: Dial-up.

• 2013: Broadband.

• World Trade Center?

• 1993: Yes.

• 2013: No.

• "Mind if I smoke?"

• 1993: "Not at all."

• 2013: "Are you out of your mind?"

• Streaming movies on Netflix?

• 1993: Huh?

• 2013: Of course!

• "Trial of the Century"?

• 1993: The People vs. O.J. Simpson.

• 2013: Apple vs. Samsung.

• Salmon Rushdie?

• 1993: Fatwa still in effect.

• 2013: With the publication of Joseph Anton: A Memoir, Rushdie somehow manages to make the Ayatollah a sympathetic character.

• Best college football team?

• 1993: Florida State

• 2013: Sorry, I can't remember . . . . just really didn't pay much attention.




Anyway, that's what I was thinking about. Probably ought to go wash dishes now or something.




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* Yes, I realize Infinite Jest was published in 1996, but he was definitely working on it in '93. I mean, hell, it takes almost that long just to read the thing.