Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has worked to improve the standards of living. Innovations aimed at improving life have been are an important part of development. Millions of people depend on electricity and gas for virtually everything: from washing and drying clothes to transportation and communication. Because of the conveniences available today, it is hard to picture a life without them. In his book ”Into the Forest,” Hegland covers the story of two sisters who have to live without ordinary day conveniences like electricity, gas, and processed food (27).
Commercial electricity has changed people’s lives. Bright lights that are able to banish the night’s darkness and lengthen the day were the first significance consequent of electricity (Kyvig, 44). This made a 24-hour economy a reality. People can go to a favorite shopping mall at any time because electricity lighting improves security. This is important when one is working late shifts. Additionally, there are other devices and gadgets that need electricity to run. Waking up in the morning, I flick a switch expecting the light to come on before I can prepare for the day. The air conditioner is running; keeping my room cool enough for occupation. After a hot shower I iron my clothes and prepare for school. I use my computer for research in school work and in general topics which interest me. All these gadgets and equipments which are part of my life run on electricity. TV and computers are important as sources of information and as means of communication. Life without electricity would mean limited communication because of unavailability of phones, email, and rapid transport railway systems. For lighting, people would revert to candles and kerosene lamps whose smoke can affect the air quality.
One of the most direct uses of gas is in cars. Cars provide a cheap and convinient form of transportation. They get students to school and worker to the offices and factories in time. Gas is also used in running generators for backup power. Without gas life would be a lot more different. To get to my classes in time would require waking up earlier and taking a bicycle. This would be tiresome and would affect concentration in class. Some people would result to walking and the distances involved may be hundreds of miles (Hegland, 52). Production and distribution of many consumer goods depends on gas. Lack of gas would see shortages of consumer goods leading to price hikes. This would make life more expensive and for students it would mean expensive educational inputs such as; books, pens, school bags and geometry sets.
Besides electricity and gas, lack of contemporary food would change life significantly. Processed food is present in all meals including juice during breakfast, canned, and frozen food during lunch and dinner. These foods are important in providing a balance diet leading to good health. People lacking this food would revert back to garden farming and keeping poultry (Hegland, 49).
Conclusion
Modern day life comes with many convenient things that can be taken for granted and expected to always be there offering convenient services to people. Of this, food, electricity and gas are crucial. Reflecting of life without these services is a way of appreciating them.
Works Cited
Hegland, Jean. Into the Forest New York: Bantarn Books & Calyx Books, 1996. Print.
Kyvig, David. Daily Life in the United States, 192-1939: Decades of Promise and Pain. New
York: Greenwood Publishing Group. 2002. Print.
