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Simple Things MAG

May 11, 2013
By E.J.Mathews GOLD, International Falls, Minnesota
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E.J.Mathews GOLD, International Falls, Minnesota
19 articles 2 photos 145 comments
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How did we get where we are now? That question isn't historical or scientific. Instead it is a mere curiosity. How did we go from Elvis Presley to Jay-Z? When exactly did we start wearing our hats backwards and saying things like “swag” and “yolo”? Can someone tell me when teens stopped talking on the phone all night and started texting until we fell asleep? When did it become lame for a guy to take a girl out on a date instead of hanging out in couples all the time?

My real question is what was wrong with the way things were before? When's the last time you and a friend talked about the meaning of a book? Now all I ever hear are discussions of whether a movie was good. Why is a story full of characters and life just reduced to “good” or “it sucked”? Am I the only one who sees things beyond the literal? Am I the only one who treats a person as if he has a voice and is not simply text on a screen?

For some reason I enjoy hearing laughter over the phone instead of reading “lol.” I dream of taking a girl out for dinner and to a movie instead of talking to her with all of my crazy friends around. I watch a movie and see the joy, despair, and anger lash out beyond the screen without the help of 3-D glasses.

I prefer the simple things. Doesn't anyone else?

© Monica L., St. George, UT

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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 12 comments.

LittleRedDeliriousPrince SILVER said...
on Aug. 27 2015 at 12:28 pm
LittleRedDeliriousPrince SILVER, Parma Heights, Ohio
7 articles 0 photos 100 comments
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Congrats on being in print! :). You totally deserve it.
rheame said...
on Feb. 8 2015 at 2:32 am
rheame, Anand, Other
0 articles 0 photos 64 comments

Favorite Quote:
turn a mess into a lesson<br /> <br /> a test into testimony<br /> <br /> a trial into triumph<br /> and a victim into champion

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i do like simple things but i think the world changes....but superb writing!!!
LaChouette GOLD said...
on Jan. 4 2014 at 10:41 pm
LaChouette GOLD, Mount Vernon, New York
12 articles 0 photos 146 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;And then there are the times when the wolves are silent and the moon is howling.&rdquo;<br /> - George Carlin

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As much as I try to avoid it, I realize I am feeding into a lot of what society determines as 'appropriate' behavior nowadays. I think you're absolutely correct in what you're saying and your piece offers a convincing argument and a great perspective. Great job and congratulations!
TheSkyOwesMeRain GOLD said...
on Sep. 12 2013 at 1:51 am
TheSkyOwesMeRain GOLD, Irvine, California
13 articles 1 photo 299 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life isn&#039;t measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments which take your breath away.<br /> <br /> You are only as strong as your weakest link.

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I completely agree! I wish that people didn't feel the need to be "cool" and fit in with all the cool kids all the time. 
JRaye PLATINUM said...
on Aug. 27 2013 at 9:21 pm
JRaye PLATINUM, Dorr, Michigan
43 articles 10 photos 523 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.&quot;<br /> <br /> &quot;Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, &#039;I just don&#039;t care.&#039;?&quot;

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First off, congrats on the Editors Choice, because you earned it :) Second, I completely agree! Now, I don't have anything against popular things or people nessicarily, but really, some things are ridiculous. Following stupid trends just so we fit in with everybody else, it's just sad. I wish more people would just be unique, be themselves, not try to please everyone else.
nautiicaled BRONZE said...
on May. 25 2013 at 8:59 pm
nautiicaled BRONZE, Elk Grove, California
1 article 0 photos 28 comments
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Unfortunately not as many people appreciate the simple things. We have become so used to this change that we believed was for the better. We thought evolving in such a  way was going to be a positive outcome and maybe for some it is but it has left many of us nostalgic. Somewhere inbetween all thsese movements and wars something changed. We developed new technology and lost the intimate contact we once had. However I do appreciate the time we live in now because we are as far as we could ever be but it does leave some with questions like is it really for the better? Anyway great piece, made me ramble which is actually a good thing! :)
Minkerbell BRONZE said...
on May. 23 2013 at 4:10 pm
Minkerbell BRONZE, Sosua, Other
1 article 3 photos 45 comments
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I liked this. It is siple and I agree. Things have changed and they continue to change, and no one can stop it. It's very unfortunate but it's the truth. I enjoyed reading your piece of work. Good job! :)
Eshshah PLATINUM said...
on May. 23 2013 at 12:12 pm
Eshshah PLATINUM, Galloway, New Jersey
32 articles 31 photos 239 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep.&quot; -Robert Frost

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I get this.  I love a good conversation about a movie or book. Somehow talking about characters helps me get more out of a book/film, you know what I mean? anyways- your article is very well written, very put together.   Good job and congrats on the editor's choice :D
Laugh-it-Out PLATINUM said...
on May. 18 2013 at 5:25 pm
Laugh-it-Out PLATINUM, Brooklyn, New York, New York
38 articles 0 photos 445 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light&quot; --Dylan Thomas

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I totally agree!! I mean, I don't really text as it is, but I absolutly hate itwhen people say lol to your face! I mean, if it is funny, LAUGH!! Anyway, great peice and congrats on the editors choice! Amazing job, love love love. Oh, and btw's I dont really like Jay-Z :P Keep rockin E. J.
Wings10FeetTall GOLD said...
on May. 18 2013 at 8:31 am
Wings10FeetTall GOLD, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
17 articles 0 photos 332 comments

Favorite Quote:
May your words be sharp.<br /> - Christopher Paolini<br /> <br /> <br /> Nobody&#039;s going to wait for you, so do it now.<br /> -Ingrid Michaelson<br /> <br /> <br /> Broken hearts heal, but never the same.<br /> - Jessica Romo<br /> <br /> Idiots rely on luck.<br /> -Sherlock Holmes

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I agree. People just don't slow down anymore.
GreyGirl ELITE said...
on May. 18 2013 at 12:17 am
GreyGirl ELITE, Pohang,Kyungbuk, Other
170 articles 122 photos 391 comments
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I liked this. You framed your argument well. And I liked how you used words to create good imagery. You deserved the Editors choice :) Good Job!
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on May. 17 2013 at 3:19 pm
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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I liked this a lot.  I feel the same way that you do. People hardly stop to smell the roses or to read between the lines.  It sometimes is like the ability to think deeply is gone. :/ Congrats on the Editor's Choice. I think it deserved it!  It was very nicely written. :) Well done.