Developments in the 20th century

[brucewenham]

Developments in the 20th century

- let's talk about changes that have taken place in agriculture, fashion,
commmunications, transport, employment, medical care and family life.

1. In what ways do you think we are worse off now than we were in the past?

2. How do you think the world will be different in the 21st century?

3. What influences have affected family life in your country in the last ten
years?

4. What do you think has been the greatest achievement of the 20th century -
best inventions etc ?

5. What should we be least proud of in the 20th century?

Bruce Wenham
English Language Training

bw5.republika.pl

[Gość: Kasia Z.]

brucewenham napisał(a):

> Developments in the 20th century
>
> - let's talk about changes that have taken place in agriculture, fashion,
> commmunications, transport, employment, medical care and family life.
>
Dear Bruce,
the questions you asked are not simple at all and require a thorough look at
the abovementioned items.
Firstly, I don't understand whether you want us to reply taking the whole World
into consideration or just GLOGOW - since it's the town's forum.
I will try to endeavour your questions best I can.

> 1. In what ways do you think we are worse off now than we were in the past?
Being a born optimist, coming from a country - humiliated & destroyed by
our "friendly" neighbours - I fell we are much better off now than in the past.
It's the freedom that we all longed for.
Agriculture - always was and still is a big part of our country's economy. They
fed us and with our help and support will in the future as well.
Fashion - finally just over 10 years ago a hardship of having nothing to wear
or buy, I should say, is finished. In the past, I remember getting a cupon from
school enabling me to purchase a pair of shoes! Now, I get as many pairs as I
please - but I would have been narrow minded if spoke of shoes only. It is true
to all.
Communications - much better off. Mobile phone phenomena bursting through the
country enables us to reach places, people, goals at any time, anywhere. Also
hopefully no one listens to our conversations anymore. The censorship is over!
Transport - much to wish for - as it still resembles what was 15 years ago.
However one must notice that more and more of us are owners of vehicles.
Whether it's good or bad it's another debate for which I don't have time nor
energy.
Employment - well, lots of people struggle with it. It's not just hard to get a
job - but it's hard to live off the money you can make there. That is why a
Polish Master of Science is a well common painter in Germany... It's just the
struggle and hope for the better that drives us to it!
Medical Care - big changes and unfortunately not so good for the common people.
However, hardship is inevitable on the way to Capitalism. So people stay
healthy and away from hospitals.
Family life - as good as you make it. Mine is just fine.

> 2. How do you think the world will be different in the 21st century?
Mate, it's the 21st century now. Not that we have not progressed but still
there are downfalls.
Agriculutre - World - just recently read about 15,000 live stock of sheep -
died while being transported by ships. Ship carier had been baned from
exporting live stock again - but it happened and it's our fault.
Fashion - currently - you can wear whatever pleases you. There isn't anything
there that people don't put on. I think we got a free hand here!
Communications - fast internet, state of the art mobile phones, portable
computers, palm handsets it's all progressing man! And it's more and more
popular and affordable every day.
Transport - Let me see. We have feet, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses,
trains, yachts, ferries, ships - just as hundred years ago. It's all however
improved, faster, safer, more reliable. If we kept it all cleaner it would be
just splendid.
Employment - unification of countries allow us seeking employment even on the
other side of the world. One must only want to get one - the rest should be
easy.
Medical Care - much improved - whatever part of a body can't we now get new? We
can get new blood, new heart, new kidney, eye, liver, new leg and arm and tits
if you think yours are too small...
Family Life - again - whatever you make it.
>
> 3. What influences have affected family life in your country in the last ten
> years?
based on my family, as I can't speak for all:
agriculture - we are still not too good farmers however we do have access to
new plants, fruit that we can look after in our garden.
fashion - not much into it neither. As long as it's clean and ironed my mum is
happy :)
commmunications - all got mobile phones - mum can not text as the letters are
too small for her, all use internet - I sometimes forget that the Polish
Telecom charges us per minute and stay online for ages - to my parent's
despair. Maybe one day we will have a fixed 0.25gr a conversation (just
dreaming!).
Transport - yes sure, we use it all. We have cars but despite don't mind a taxi
ride or a good old train. Depends on the destination of course. Busses - way
off poluting our environment - ought to be upgraded.
Employment - so far so good. All of us had jobs, lost few and got new ones. As
I say one just has to look for it - so don't give up.
Medical care - don't mention. Had not seen a dentist in 10 years and don't need
to for now. Go Cologate :)
Family life - full of joy as always. Have our ups and downs but nobody there is
perfect!

> 4. What do you think has been the greatest achievement of the 20th century -
> best inventions etc ?
Agriculture - Polish farmers developing crop's fuel. I hope someone will have
heaps of money to sponsor the ordeal!
Fashion - go colours. From gray, black and navy we have emerged into greens,
red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, maroon, burgundy, salmon etc. Could go on
and on. The greatest achievement of our country in fashion is that we are not
afraid of it anymore.
Commmunications - Monopoly does not exist anymore! Yuppie.
Transport - Space ships. The greatest of all. Even an average millionaire can
go to space! I am looking forward to my first trip :)[always optimistic as
mentioned at the start].
Employment - lots of new jobs are created as the world progresses.
Medical care - cloning but again whether that is good or bad I don't have the
time to elaborate. IVF is good I guess.
Family life - the appreciation for the elder.

> 5. What should we be least proud of in the 20th century?
The wars: I & II WW, Japan, South and North Koreas, Thaiwan, Vietnam. Intro to
heroine, growing popularity of nicotine. African wars, spread of Aids, and
increase of crime. Hiroshima, Chernobyl - disasters.

Well, mr Wenham, the questions raised were most complex really and I tried to
simplify them as I could. I hope you will read it and maybe add your comments.
I would also like to add that I am quite sad seeing no replies to your forum
questions. I hope I can stirr someone up there. Glogow, wake up!