We hear all the time about how our technology has led to “isolation” in our society.  We ignore each other while sharing rooms or dinner tables–staring at our phones and tablets.  We head off to separate rooms to watch different television shows every night.  We play video game versions of sports and other activities rather than get out and physically exert ourselves.  We get everything delivered to our homes, so we don’t have to go out to eat or shop.  But the technology that really causes us to isolate ourselves from each other–especially at this time of year–is air conditioning.

For centuries, Americans escaped the heat by getting our of our houses.  That is why so many of the oldest homes have big covered porches and huge, old trees in the front yard.  People would spend their evenings on the porch or in the shade enjoying the cooler temperature and maybe a breeze.  And because houses were close enough, neighbors could talk to each other from porch to porch.  Or they would share a cool drink and conversation about the day.  Now, we go from our air conditioned offices with windows that don’t open into our air conditioned cars with the windows rolled up and pull into the garage of our air conditioned home with every door and window closed because Dad “isn’t paying to cool the entire neighborhood”.  And there we sit, because it’s “too hot to go outside”.

And speaking of vehicles, whatever happened to convertibles?  I was at a small car show a couple of weeks ago and was reminded that back in the 1950’s and ’60’s it wasn’t just exotic sports cars you could get with a drop-top, it was the family vehicles like Bel-Airs and Impalas that came in convertible options.  And for kids, there was no greater thrill than when the Old Man would drop teh top on a road trip.

When I had my Jeep CJ’s and Wranglers, the top was never up at this time of year–except when it was raining (and a couple of times when I had left the hardtop back at home–not even then).  Now I see all of these Jeeps and the handful of other convertible vehicles with the top up on the most beautiful of days–and all the doors on and the windows rolled up tight while the AC blasts inside.  What the heck did you buy the vehicle for if you aren’t going to enjoy its greatest feature?

And when you have the top down and you roll up on another convertible at a stop light, you can’t help but look over and acknowledge the people next to you.  Being “exposed” if you will, makes you more outgoing like “Hey, check us out driving around so everyone can see us”.  And since I’m usually rolling with great oldies cranking on the stereo, it puts a smile on your face too.

So the next time a heat wave rolls through, instead of barricading yourself in your personal meat locker, try mixing up a pitcher of Arnold Palmers and enjoying the shade in your yard or on your porch–and actually talk to the people in your neighborhood.  You’ll probably find yourself not sticking all of the other “isolating” technology in your face either.