What has happened to simplicity?

Times have changed since I was young. Well, I'm not really that old and since I'm a woman I have to point that out.
Why I am using this old platitude that things have changed is because I think that multimedia, computers and all things technological have certainly changed the way that our children are being educated, not just their outlook on life (forgive me, another platitude, but not a worthless one, I think. One that should be said time and time again, in fact!).
I went to witness my daughter's play, a really well-organised affair, involving all types of computer graphics and what impressed me the most about it was that it was so polished, compared to what we used to put on for our parents in our days (not so long ago, it seems!. It makes me feel sad in a way because I think of our rustic performances using home-made costumes not very dissimilar to teatowels and sheets in 'Good king Wenceslas', and feathers from real chickens used to make our headgear in the case of 'Pocahontas!
I'm wondering now if this reliance on computer graphics for stage performances has not taken away something unique and precious about acting, the real, old-fashioned talent! Are we so into gimmicks that we can not appreciate something simple and homely?
Probably if my children went to see my own school performances or if they had been captured on video, they would have shuddered and teased me relentlessly about it! But in truth, I think that the lack of perfect props added to the value of those experiences and improvisation probably played a greater part in our lives then than it did now. Even I myself have changed because I probably would not be able to sit through a performance like that. Living in Africa as I do, I did recently have this privilege, on World Water Day, of having to sit through about 2 hours of a very rustic, homely, sweet, unchoreographed, imperfect homily to the importance of water. This is in retrospect. The truth is, I felt bored, irritated, annoyed, and kept on looking at my watch wishing for lunchtime to come because I could see the table of eats from where I was sitting and that was so appetising, more appetising than the fare that was in front of me.
So what is the point of my message? I think we should appreciate simple things again. It was quite an inspiration for me to read about the 'No Impact Man' who chose to live one year in New York without the basic amenities, doing his bit for the environment. Unbelievable in fact that someone could go back to the simple and yet be surrounded by a very complex structure where such amenities are vital to life (apart from the TV, of course! We could all do without a bit of TV!).
My encouragement today is to ask you to consider simplicity once again, try to incorporate it into your daily life, try to improvise again, you don’t need to use the computer for everything!! Jesus was so simple, His message was simple. The Bible says: "In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength…” Isaiah 30:15


SOME THOUGHTS ON SIMPLICITY:
 "Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Confucius
 “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, And remember what peace there may be in silence.” Max Ehrmann
 “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo DaVinci