We use diametrically opposite expressions to mean the same thing. When we “wind up” something we finish it. When we “wind down” we indicate that we are preparing to do so. Both herald, or are, the end of something. And most things do have an end. Periods of time (‘eras’) have ends when we bundle some behavioural or identifying similarities together. Humankind may now be winding down an era of sensitivity that produced feelings we have begun to think of as emotional rather than practical.
Has the Butterfly era given way to the Japanese Hornet era?
One thing is clear. The era of reacting to events is winding down and a new era of self-determination is beginning, increasingly controlled by the technologically brilliant. It also looks as though the era of philosophy is winding up. I hope not for all our sakes. I see that the creativity we understood as vital is mechanistic rather than humanistic. Beautiful robots rather than beautiful human minds.
Do my thoughts merely define my age? Maybe.
The experience of age is only an advantage if it is correctly qualified by the relevance of context. The first heavy lifting age ended with the invention of the wheel, the second with the implementation of hydraulics. Now we condemn heavy lifting as dangerous so we’ve made it illegal. On discovering that it is essential for health we built gyms so we can go and heavy-lift safely. I notice exercise is increasingly a matter of mechanics and manipulation rather than walking ten kilometers.
Is the era of common sense surrendering to one of sales?
Whatever is happening in any of these domains, it is happening very fast. So much so that I wonder if the practice I was taught – to ponder about something important before concluding what to do about it – is being cast aside for F1-speed response and decision making. To cram more into life is a worthy objective provided there is no loss of quality in the process. But can we still compare the value of quick with quintessential?
You may like to ponder that.
Change does not, of itself, onset decay but they are often lumped together. Can we find a way to change without decaying? Philosophically I think we can. We don’t need to wind up or to wind down. We need to rewind humanity. Our human assets should master our technology, indeed should be valuable tools if they are handled correctly.
So what would be my rewind of humanity were I in a position to do so?
Fundamentally to understand happiness. We can all illustrate it, have mostly had some fleeting experiences of it. Many claim they know how to reach it. But none of us can define it and yet we all aim for it as our primary goal. If we understood it we might reach it.
Have a Happy Christmas and look forward to a Lively 2026.
My purpose will be to define happiness.
Please make your purpose to achieve it.
Good morning
John Bittleston
A word of gratitude to all those who have written to me in 2025. I try to respond as often as possible. If I have not succeeded in your case please forgive me and know that I read and ponder on all the comments I receive. Keep your pen sharpened for 2026 please. As always to [email protected].
22 December 2025
