“May you live in interesting times.” I’ve been hearing this phrase a lot lately related to the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting shutdowns of schools and businesses. Curious where this phrase comes from, I Googled it. It was originally attributed to a traditional ancient Chinese curse, although that has since been debunked. Regardless of origin, the notion that “uninteresting” times are easier is certainly true. But it is also true that many of society’s greatest leaps forward have come from adversity.
One of my favorite memes going around social media involves the invention of calculus by a bored Isaac Newton after he was sent home from Cambridge University due to the plague. Maybe that’s because I live with a couple of math nerds, including my 16-year-old son, who is taking AP Calculus. I also have a high school senior, whose graduation ceremony and prom are in jeopardy of not happening, or of being drastically altered. What I have noticed about him and his friends is they are mostly taking this in stride and looking forward to the future. He is busy planning for college, doing online school and keeping up with his friends virtually.