The More Things Change

The more things change, the more they remain the same. I’m not certain who first said that and, as I write this, I’m not taking the time to do a quick search on the internet, but it’s true all the same.

Look, for example, at our shopping habits. There was a time a little over a century ago, when you took your own basket to the market to carry your purchases home. Then, stores started providing paper sacks, then plastic, then a choice. Now, environmentally conscious people take their own, reusable bags to the store with them in order to carry purchases home. Not so different, is it?

A few weeks ago, I was at a farmers’ market to buy locally grown, in-season, slow-grown produce for my family’s table. While there, a local hospital gave me a go-mug that included a clip to attach it to my belt or bag when it was empty. It was designed to encourage me to take it more places with me and use it more often than just the car. Looking at the design, I could not help but smile.

I’ve attended more than one Renaissance Festival in my day. I’ve worn made-to-look-like period clothing and I’ve admired the people who had far more interesting and authentic costumes than mine. I was just a weekender. There for a one-time, fun shot. There are people whose lives revolve around Ren Faires and their costumes are something to see. They spend months, if not years, researching and getting them right. One thing many of them have in common is they have a cup attached to their belt. When they get thirsty, they unclip it, have it filled, drink from it, and, when it is empty, the reattach it to their belt for the next use.

The concept is almost exactly like the one the hospital used for their go-cups, except using modern materials and a modern twist on the carrying mechanism. Oh, and all of the go-cups have lids. Only some of the Renaissance mugs did. These are the differences.

In the fullness of time, everything that is old will become new again.

In this environmentally conscious world, what will come around next? What's your best guess?