topic Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess? in Community Chat

What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Mominohio — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:09:11 GMT

As time marches on, many skills that are considered essential or universal, are lost due to advancements.

Here we talk about how things like cursive and reading maps (or dialing a rotary phone!!Ha!) are going by the wayside.

Do you carry on any skills that are disappearing due to the rapid changes in our society? Anything from basket weaving to spinning wool and beyond?

Please share.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

deepwaterdotter — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:21:35 GMT

Vocal interaction and cursive handwriting. Hit a target at 50 yards with a bow and arrow.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Preds — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:15:23 GMT

I can use a rotary phone. I can use a typewriter. I can walk and talk without being on a phone. Oh, and I can write on notepads and calenders instead of putting it on my phone. I think I read a map last week. Do you know that they are hard to come by?

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

cosmic1 — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:15:41 GMT

I can still use a 10 key by touch and a typewriter. I started working before the days of voicemail or computers. Remember those pink message slips? Companies had to employ people just to answer the phone and take messages. Lol.

Now I work in IT and use remote deposit from my phone. It is kind of mind boggling that these changes have happened so fast.

We used to marvel at my great grandparents who lived before cars and electricity existed and then got to see a man walk on the moon.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Venezia — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:17:30 GMT

I can write and read cursive (with both hands!). I can do math without a calculator. I can navigate my way to a new destination without a GPS.

Do any of those count as "ancient"? I can also sew my own clothes and do a multitude of other things.

I'm not against modern technology. I spent 25 years as a computer analyst/programmer. But I think we need to remember how to do the basics without a machine, too.

Interesting question.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Venezia — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:21:07 GMT

@Preds - That's so funny! I was going to say I could use a typewriter, but I thought people would say it's the same as a keyboard. (And, of course, it isn't.)

Do you know there was something on the TV a few nights ago about people asking kids to use a rotary phone and they had no idea what it was or how to use it? I hope they never end up in a situation where it's the only lifeline they have.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Snowpuppy — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:21:24 GMT

I can bake breads & pies with crust from scratch. I know what good lard is.

I can sew, mend and even darned some socks this past winter. Knitting & crocheting, while I no longer own needles I could begin again without much help.

I have a co-worker who is younger than me, she can do all of the above + she makes goats milk soap, she can card wool and she's looking for a spinning wheel.

People think we're nuts 😊

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

hckynut — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:23:19 GMT

@Mominohio

I'll have to mull this one over, "ancient skill"?

hnj

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Mary Bailey — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:25:21 GMT

I hang laundry outside to dry. I was swinging today on the swing in our huge maple tree in back yard.

....not skills but ancient, yes.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

VanSleepy — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:26:14 GMT

Stenography.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

sidsmom — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:26:36 GMT

Shorthand (Gregg & Speedwriting) aka "Chicken Scratch". 😝

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Puzzle Piece — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:28:19 GMT

I can cook and bake. Speak foreign language, print legibley, handwrite, and can speak some latin. I like to do my own housework and not have anyone come in to clean and scrub, I do my yard work and enjoy the rewards. I planted fruit trees and enjoy their yields. I also know how to approach people and introduce myself as well as 'work a room'.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

ChynnaBlue — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:30:27 GMT

@Mominohio wrote:
As time marches on, many skills that are considered essential or universal, are lost due to advancements.

Here we talk about how things like cursive and reading maps (or dialing a rotary phone!!Ha!) are going by the wayside.

Do you carry on any skills that are disappearing due to the rapid changes in our society? Anything from basket weaving to spinning wool and beyond?

Please share.

I never thought I'd be saying this, but I know quite a few people who just started wool spinning in the last couple of years. It's growing in popularity here in Austin.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

sunshine45 — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:36:40 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
@Preds - That's so funny! I was going to say I could use a typewriter, but I thought people would say it's the same as a keyboard. (And, of course, it isn't.)

Do you know there was something on the TV a few nights ago about people asking kids to use a rotary phone and they had no idea what it was or how to use it? I hope they never end up in a situation where it's the only lifeline they have.

this was happening years ago.

30+ years ago my younger brother (around 10 at the time) had a friend come over the house. he was supposed to call his mom when he got there. we showed him the phone and he did not know how to use it.....yup, it was a rotary telephone. my dad wanted to save a couple of dollars on the phone bill.

....

debic — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:37:24 GMT

I'm pretty good at pulling weeds by hand in my yard.

I do actually make small baskets out of pine needles and raffia.

With the ends still on.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Mominohio — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:38:39 GMT

@Preds wrote:
I can use a rotary phone. I can use a typewriter. I can walk and talk without being on a phone. Oh, and I can write on notepads and calenders instead of putting it on my phone. I think I read a map last week. Do you know that they are hard to come by?

@Preds

I was looking for a new road atlas, and had a heck of a time finding one. I ended up at a truck stop and picked up two really nice ones, really cheap!

Sometimes when we are in another state, and I don't have my car, I'll go looking for a state map (it seemed you used to be able to get them at any gas station. Am I showing my age or what??!!), and you can never find one.

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

eddyandme — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:39:25 GMT

@Preds wrote:
I can use a rotary phone. I can use a typewriter. I can walk and talk without being on a phone. Oh, and I can write on notepads and calenders instead of putting it on my phone. I think I read a map last week. Do you know that they are hard to come by?

@Preds

I'm kinda like you, but what kind of map?? I can read a print, but kinda get lost looking at those little road maps - actually, I could probably get lost in a bathtub!

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

sabatini — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:55:35 GMT

Yes, I do!

My skill is that I am a worker!...or should I say 'laborer'? Have me physically toil from the proverbial sun up to sundown or later? I can do that.

Just show me what to do, then watch me go!

It's definitely in my blood & probably stems from my hardy Eastern European background.

We are a dying breed.

ETA: The only person I'd ever met who could work as long and as hard as me was...my niece. My sister's child, who looks more like me.

Between the 2 of us, we could [almost] move mountains. LOL!

Re: What 'ancient' skill do you possess?

Mominohio — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:40:10 GMT

@cosmic1 wrote:
I can still use a 10 key by touch and a typewriter. I started working before the days of voicemail or computers. Remember those pink message slips? Companies had to employ people just to answer the phone and take messages. Lol.

Now I work in IT and use remote deposit from my phone. It is kind of mind boggling that these changes have happened so fast.

We used to marvel at my great grandparents who lived before cars and electricity existed and then got to see a man walk on the moon.

@cosmic1

I always think about my great grandparents when I see the changes in the world. Yes, they were born in the 1880's and died after space travel started. Oh the changes they saw!

Re: ....

eddyandme — Fri, 10 Jun 2016 22:42:12 GMT

@debic

WOW! not pretty good - YOU'RE FANTASTIC! I admire your work - beautiful!