Village of Widows (storey 6 of 40)

Fort Norman, N.W.T., Canada

You complain that your life is too fast. That there is not enough time to do all of the things that you have to do, to see the people you have to see. If you truly want to slow your life down get rid of your cell phone, and your computer for that matter. There are few phones in 1966 in Fort Norman. Our phone number is three short rings two long rings; anyone can pick up the phone regardless of the ring, this is a community line. The telephone is wall mounted and built out of wood with actual metal bells, the handset weighs a ton. I can not say what it is made of, a heavy composite, it is not built for long conversations, your wrists would give out with the weight of the handset.

When you have something to say, you walk over and talk directly to that person. How can you pass information along without seeing each other’s faces? Without eye contact and the shrug of your shoulders how can you exchange your true feelings? Your body language is lost without visual; someone could take your conversation totally out of context. It is difficult to hide body language. People can say whatever they want without eye contact, without standing beside the person they are talking to. It removes us from the situation and makes us less responsible for what rolls off of our tongues.