Lessons from the Fishermen: Making the Most of Unproductive Days

Question and Thought for the Day February 4, 2025

Thought of the Day: When fishermen cannot go out to sea, they repair their nets and tools.

Question of the Day: What 1980s technology would you like to see make a comeback?

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Life doesn’t always let us do the thing we want to do. Some days, the sea is too rough. Some days, the opportunity just isn’t there. But the people who thrive—the ones who make it through the storms—know how to use those quiet times wisely.

Fishermen don’t waste days stuck onshore. They mend their nets, sharpen their tools, and prepare for when the water is ready again. There’s something deeply practical and reassuring about that mindset. It’s easy to get frustrated when life tells you “not today,” but maybe those moments aren’t about stopping. Maybe they’re about getting ready.

How many times do we sit around, scrolling through our phones, waiting for the next wave of motivation or opportunity to hit? What if, instead, we spent that time preparing? Learning a new skill, strengthening relationships, fixing what’s broken in our daily routines?

I think about this a lot when it comes to old technology. There’s a reason certain things from the past hold a grip on us. We didn’t always need an internet connection to enjoy music. We didn’t have constant notifications pulling us in a dozen directions. We used what we had, and we took care of it.

That brings me to today’s Question of the Day: What 1980s technology would you like to see make a comeback?

Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Walkman make a return. There was something about popping in a cassette, pressing play, and being locked into an album without the infinite distractions of streaming. No skipping around. No algorithm telling me what to listen to next. Just music, the way the artist intended.

Or maybe it’s arcades. Sure, gaming is better than ever, but there was something special about dropping quarters into a machine, standing shoulder to shoulder with friends, and feeling the pressure of beating a high score. It was a communal experience in a way that playing online can never fully capture.

But that’s just me. What piece of 1980s tech would you bring back if you could? And more importantly—how are you repairing your nets today, even if you can’t go out to sea?

Let me know in the comments.