Living in modernity definitely has some perks. Running water. Electricity. Rapid advances in tech. Please, smartphones are so 2013; smartwatches are the new frontier. It’s almost scary how easily and inextricably tech devices are integrated with our daily lives.
Which got us thinking: what if they had modern tech devices during the Renaissance? How would their routines have differed? Who would have used what? Get comfy because we did some speculating and now it’s story time.
More info: medium.com
Cecily is not amused.
She’s already had to repeat this particular Latin lesson to Henry and Jacques twice, and there’s no way she’s willing to go for a third. She points to the screen, indicating the verb that needs to be conjugated. Jacques tries to find the answer in the dictionary, but it’s just so hard.
The laptop buzzes when Jacques gives the wrong answer. Cecily closes her eyes momentarily, feeling very dejected. Isn’t gamification supposed to make learning easier?
Henry isn’t even paying attention; he’s just spotted Francois out the window. Francois is his idol, so suave and charismatic and avant-garde.
Francois notices Henry and flashes a coy smile.
He’s an arrogant sap who’s fully aware that the poor kid admires him to the ends of the earth. Or rather, all around the world? Since the planet isn’t actually flat. So they say, anyway.
He peeks down at his phone — no new messages. If only he could charm the ladies as easily as he charms chickens…
Aunt Agnes gives everyone a stern look.
“Come on, children, concentrate!” Kids these days. She slides her headphones back into place, reveling in the heavy bass, bobbing her head along in anticipation and waiting for the drop. So pumped for the next EDM show — LiveMau5 is playing the Leaky Cauldron next week, can’t wait.
For good measure, she gesticulates vaguely with one hand and says, “Why can’t you guys behave like Jean? Look how hard he’s working.” Then she dives back into page 57 of Jane Austen on her eReader — such scandal! Much juicy! Very good. Carry on.
Jean’s not even paying attention.
Like, what is Aunt Agnes mumbling about over there? Whatever, he’s thisclose to beating 2048 again. Thisclose, guys, literally.
Why can’t people these days multi-task anymore?
And why on earth would Aunt Agnes point out Jean as the role model when Martha is clearly so much more competent? I mean, seriously — spinning and weaving hipster tanktops from 95% certified organic cotton and hemp and still managing to cheer on Olicity (OTP, FTW) on Arrow at the same time? #winning. #swag #yolo #tablet #iluvtech #tv #suchagoodshow #greenarrow #Olicityforever
Cousin Jacob snorts.
Martha is so annoying, constantly thinking she’s all that. He’s a proper Renaissance Man, the real polymath of the family. Poet. Writer. Artist. Musician. Song lyricist. Always on point, always aware of the next big thing before it’s the next big thing.
Francois’s always accusing him of being addicted to his tech toys, but honestly, what does Francois know? He’s just a pretty boy anyway.
Sir Gabriel levels an annoyed look at his brood.
These little urchins used to be little monsters, but at least back then they were confined to the kids’ room. Now they just run wild all over the place.
“I’m the head of this household and I call for silence! Hear me, for I have spoken!” he roars, a little bit of spittle flying through his beard. There, that’s better. Sir Gabriel settles back into a meditative state, trying to keep an imposing and regal expression on his face. He’s paying good money for this commissioned portrait, something proper — not like those #selfies that all the kids are into these days.
“Really, Gabriel, no need to be so harsh!”
Margaret is not impressed by his outburst. Head of the household, what; where’s the partnership at, yo? She sneaks a glance at the portrait-in-progress. What a caricature! A massive head, so befitting for a self-absorbed man. He probably has more portraits than the kids do selfies.
Whatever. Scrolling through cat pictures on her iPad will make feel so much better; it always does. Have to keep the phone close by too — she has a video chat date with Janine later, who has a new baby to show off.
Janine’s so tired, all she wants to do is take a nap.
It’s 2pm — that’s perfect nap time, right? Recent studies have shown that humans should nap at about 2pm. We may not be heathens any more, but we should still keep doing some of the things that worked for our ancestors: fragmented sleep, the caveman diet, that sort of thing.
Her eyelids are getting droopy. Maybe she can just text Margaret and take a rain check on that video chat, make up some excuse about the baby being asleep. Nobody has to know…
“Sup?” asks Joseph.
“Not too much, you?” Janine responds.
“Don’t you have a video chat scheduled?”
“Aren’t you still supposed to be at that party?” Janine retorts.
“Nah, I ghosted,” responds Joseph, turning back to his laptop. “The new season of Upton Abbey is out. I have some serious marathoning to do.”
Oh, mon Dieu, Old Man Thomas thinks to himself. Priorities, people, please.
There are more important things to be focusing on right now, stranger occurences that should be questioned! For example:
Why is Mars attacking?!