Past Prompts

Before streaming and cable offered thousands of channels and infinite choices, television variety shows gave us music, comedy, and entertainment of all kinds. Without DVRs to capture the broadcasts, we gathered in front of the TV set at show time and might have watched Ed Sullivan or Carol Burnett with the whole family. Think back … about your favorite variety shows. What do you miss most about them? Would you watch these types of shows now? Would young people enjoy them today? Share your Variety Shows stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

May I have your attention please? You have probably heard those words many times in your life, but these days, many seem to have the attention span of a goldfish. Perhaps it’s the influence of smart phones or social media, with their ability to provide instant gratification. Think back … Do you recall listening to a program on the radio? How about lectures and speeches without accompanying power points or video presentations? Has your ability to pay attention changed? Share your Attention Span stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

What was mealtime like as you were growing up? Did you sit down with your family for home-cooked meals at a certain time every day? Were you expected to remain at the table until everyone had finished eating? Was there lively conversation or was it relatively quiet? Or maybe you enjoyed those convenient TV dinners while watching family friendly fare on the tube. Think back … how did your mealtimes as a child compare with those as an adult, or with your mealtimes today? Share your mealtime stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

In 2017, the last time Retrospect asked about 9/11, memories might have been raw. But with today’s global pandemic crisis, which has killed more than 4 million people worldwide, 9/11 might seem distant—a single day when the threat to our security, a sudden blow from a terrorist force, killed 3,000 people. Think back … about your recollections now that 20 years have passed. What stands out about 9/11 now? What would you like today’s children and teenagers, who were born after 9/11, to know? Share your 9/11 Twenty Years Later stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories

On this Labor Day weekend, let’s focus on the “going” to work as well as the “working.” Think back … as a child, did you know how the grown-ups in your life got to work? In your own working life, did you ever have trouble getting there? If your employer did not provide parking, did you drive anyway, or use public transportation? What about carpools? Has the pandemic affected how you or someone you know goes to work? Share your Going to Work stories forward. Start Writing Read Stories