Nicholas Bate

What's Changed? 1-50: 39

Friends, that's what.

Once upon a time 'a friend' was someone you trusted, who put you safely in a taxi and sent you home when you had too much to drink and someone with whom you had a reunion fifteen years after leaving college and last seeing them. Now? They are a status, a definition and an acquisition.

Yep, friends, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 37

Sandwiches (UK), that's what.

Once upon a time, sandwiches were cheese or jam or marmite. Maybe post the weekend a nice slice of cold beef with mustard. Now? Well, now an amazing assortment of layered salads, meats and healthy organic dressings. We've never had it so good.

Yep, sandwiches, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 35

Sundays, that's what.

Once upon a time, Sundays were Church, Family and a drive in the country. Now? Well, now they are sort the e-mail back-log, pack for Boston and clear the hang-over.

Yep, Sundays, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 34

Politics, that's what.

Once upon a time, politics was something politicians did and journalists recorded with some comment. Now? It's something journalists analyse and politicians respond.

Yep, politics, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50?: 33

Greetings, that's what.

Once upon a time, a greeting was a bit of an art form. As in:

How's your father?

Or what about:

Top of the day to you, Sir!

And the rest of the day to yourself, Sir?

Now, well, you're as likely to find most eye contact is given to the tray of finely balanced lattes. Shame, really.

Yep, greetings, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 32

Thrift, that's what.

Once upon a time, thrift was a worthy value. Now? Well green is great, re-cycling is cool and love the planet is a core metric. But steady old thrift? Seen as a little dull to be honest. Shame, really.

Yep: thrift, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 31

The tie, that's what.

Once upon a time, the tie was the way a man expressed individuality, membership of a club or regiment or his simple poor taste. And now? It's a rapidly disappearing piece of cloth. Sad, really.

Yep: The tie, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 29

Books, that's what.

Once upon a time, books were where you found ideas. They tended to come first: the book revealed the ideas. Now books are simply too slow to assemble (even if they are finally disseminated in e-format) for the tumbling of necessary thoughts in a busy world. So the book is now the summary, the reminder, the souvenir. First the ideas and then maybe the book. Plus ca change.

Yep: Books, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 28

Meeting Up, that's what.

Once upon a time, 'meeting up' agreements needed to be precise as in "see you in the Red Lion Pub-the one by the canal-at 730pm". Now texting allows an iterative process as in "Drink tonight? Let's try Salisbury. I'll text you as I get close....

Yep: Meeting Up, that's what.

TBC.

What's Changed 1-50? 27

Personnel, that's what.

Once upon a time, the personnel team were a fun lot. They knew they were about people. And then one day they became Human Resources professionals and wedded to glowing laptops reviewing competency wheels, relative bench-marked KPIs and taking things very seriously.

Yep: Personnel, that's what.

TBC.