We live in a time of big shopping centers. Malls, some central streets, they collect all the traffic, and many of the small shops near our living quarters had to close. This is in a way regrettable, but if everybody who regrets it now, had gone out in the past to actually shop there, they wouldn’t have had to close in the first place. That’s how we feel: we cherish the sentiment for a past that we would not want to live in.
“Uhren” is German and means “clocks” as well as “watches”. The Song of the Day is “Out Of Time” from the 1966 Rolling Stones album “Aftermath”. I’ve linked to the UK version of the album, because that’s what I own. Hear the song on YouTube.
There are 7 comments
pinguin_66 (2008-07-11)
I wonder who 'we' are - it's a bit general, isn't it? I still prefer small cozy shops over big malls, and am glad to have local heroes next to me, who will be there when I have a problem.
Your photos are very touching.
Greetings from Germany.
Monika
Andreas (2008-07-11)
Janine,
Yes, it hurts. Your comment and another one of the last made me ask myself what the deeper value of photography to myself and to my visitors is, i.e. why do we enjoy my images or probaly anyone's images? I shall write about it, hopefully today.
Monika,
Who "we" are? Uhh ... Pluralis Majestatis, probably 🙂
Let's say, a vast majority, like the vast majority that reads BILD in Germany, Kronen Zeitung in Austria, The Sun in the UK, USA Today, ...
But even a majority of those who recognize the problem buys in supermarkets. I certainly do. It's much more convenient. The price we pay is the concentration in commerce. When I first was in southern England in September 1989, I was shocked by the degree to which big retail chains dominated the streets. Now, 19 years later, Austria is no different.
Thus, "we" is a statistic value 🙂
Thomas (2008-07-12)
At least as often as I can, I try to be an exception from at least this type of statistic 😉
No problem with adjusting my shopping habbits to the opening hours of those smaller shops and I don't have that many problems with the focussed selection of goods that most of the smaller shops have. Major problems is that for some things they really charge...hm, "extraordinary" prices.
So, I guess, you could say that I'm actively trying to live in the past...🙂)
Thomas (2008-07-12)
I guess, it's a bit too late, so sorry, but I forgot to actually comment on your picture:
I just love it! It really captures that atmosphere of a left-over, small shop that could have been a nice place to shop. And those grrreens!
J. L. T. (2008-07-12)
Dear Andreas,
"why do we enjoy my images or probably anyone's images?"
An interesting discussion! Start it!!
By the way, I like your new profile-photo. You are "nearer" now.
Sunny greetings
Ted (2008-07-12)
You write, "We cherish the sentiment for a past that we would not want to live in."
WHOA!
Myths emerge from our nature to distill out only the glimmers among our memory piles. Obituaries rarely review faults. Sentimentality seems to dull the edge of necessity, eh?
The image is charming, the text soars. Hmmmm... I wonder what would happen if you turned your lens for a brief time to reveal either sentimentality, or.. or the crack between it and reality?
J. L. T. (2008-07-10)
Great photo with a sensible reflection. I know what you mean, it hurts sometimes. greetings from Hamburg...
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