The Modern Luddite

A few weeks ago, I visited the Sleep and Dreaming exhibition at the Wellcome Collection. After checking out the exhibition, we took the opportunity to explore the rest of the Collection. Up a spiral staircase we went, tucked into a corner in the Sleep exhibition, and discovered the Medicine Now exhibition, where artists have created works with inspiration from medical concepts. A fair amount of interactivity is encouraged, so you can scribble on postcards which are pinned to the wall. All lovely stuff.

Midway through the room is a cabinet that I found intriguing. The cabinet contained, among other things, a hedge-trimmer and a TV showing some sort of informercial for exercise bikes. It’s an hilarious juxtaposition, illustrating the bizarre problem many people in the western world face: we invest in labour-saving gadgets, only to find ourselves getting out of
shape from lack of exercise. And so we have to pony up extra cash for a gym membership. What a waste of time and money! My daily journey into work takes the same amount of time by bike as it does by the Underground.

There are so many ways that being a modern luddite can save time and money by shunning labour-saving devices and getting things done using a little muscle-power. For instance, if I cycled to and from work every day, my bike would pay for itself in saved tube fares within a few months - even sooner if I’d chosen a cheaper bike! Plus I’d benefit from the exercise - provided I avoid all the maniacal drivers.

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