Age of the Electron

I was watching TV, about to go online to post something here, buy some new shoes and all that when the entire block blacked out. No power, no light, as far as I can see... After fumbling for the flashlight and some old candles, I went instead for a book by the candlelight, how romantic and all.

After a few moments sitting quietly in the near darkness, I got struck by how much our modern life is slave to the power of the electron; how different must have been the life of our great-grandparents having no choice but to gather around the fire, light a few candle or just head to bed with the sun. So I will remember this, turn off all the lights and electronics once in a while, and let the darkness sink in.