From what Im gathering , it seems we are in near the same state as cigars were back in the 90's during the cigar " boom years " , which they were , Back then , cigars became a big thing and many brands were hard to get or unobtainable . Then came a shit ton of inferior product that people bought up as well , which was shocking to me to be honest . . It seems to be the way the online pipe tobacco situation is , in my eyes of course .
But is it really the golden age ?
It would depend on perspective I guess . Yes , there is a lot available on the web as far as product and thats a cool thing . I mean , click an icon and in the mail youll get what you ordered .
Contrast that with mail order from back in the day , which was very much available in the past to a point . I mean , in 1900 maybe not so much , though Im sure it existed .... but people had ice boxes back then , so .. lol . But by the 50's/60's a pipe smoker who was paying attention could either find mail order or work with a B&M
Hmmm ... the idea of B&Ms . That is something sorely lacking these days and the feel of the comradery has changed hugely without them . Of course , PSF is the next best thing but we are not in the golden age as far as all that goes . Typing online is fine but actually hanging with people in person is a whole other thing . Sure , communicating with people youd never meet far away is awesome but face to face ... you know what im saying
Along with the ability to order online is the ability to hoard easier , which is a good thing if you're a hoarder . So , its golden age to those who hoard and good for them because thats comradery
[ sorry , couldnt help it ] Guys and gals that are my age that have been at this for decades have a unique perspective , which of course I didn't see coming , in that we get to live in both the pipe smoking past and present and probably a limited future ... so , you younger guys .. this is the pipe smoking past and you get to experience the pipe smoking future .. good luck with that .
However , the pipe smoking future might be very bright !!!!
Imagine , you roll over after a 5 hour session with your " love robot " and she gets up to fill your pipe with a blend that she grew and processed herself [ possibly ] , we are assuming the government hasnt taken over everything and youre still able to smoke legally . She wont need a lighter because fire will shoot out her finger or God knows where else , light your pipe , go fix some food , which who knows what that will be like ...... beyond meat baby [ its just the beginning ] ... and put on your favorite hologram sport of what will probably be the equivalent of hybrid people that more resemble cartoons that spew sports and politics simultaneously [ oh joy ]
Id imagine , at that point , you will look back at today and either think its the golden age or an archaic shit show of Neanderthals
All that bs said ... all in all , it is a golden age because we get to live it today and we have all we need plus a whole lot more . Enjoy it while its here
