“Does faster always mean better?”

As many of you know, I am an American history buff. Ever since Walt Disney took me to a largely fictitious Alamo with Davy Crockett in 1955, I have enjoyed learning about things past.

There’s an old saying: “Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.” True?

March 6 marked the 190th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. Approximately 200 defenders were all killed by thousands of seasoned troops under the command of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Mexican General and President. The defenders had held out for 13 days.

The Alamo commander, Lt. Col. William B. Travis, repeatedly called on fellow Texians to come to the aid of the garrison.

Only 32 men from Gonzales answered the call. One of the major problems Travis had, of course, was that the only way for him to send a message was to write it on paper and have a currier on horseback try to get through enemy lines and ride many miles to deliver it to its recipient. That could take days, or weeks.

So, I wondered what might have happened if Col. Travis had had a smart phone. The most likely source for help was the 300 or so troops under the command of Col. James Fannin at Goliad, about 95 miles away, two days at least by currier.

Travis might have been able to text (or call) Fannin. “Jim, we need your help, pronto. Here’s a video of the thousands of Mexicans outside our walls. Without your help, we’re toast.”

Fannin might have replied, “Sorry, Will, no-can-do. Got my own problems here at Goliad. Good luck!”

At least Travis would have known, instantly, that help wasn’t coming. He may have then made other choices and history may have changed.

Just think of the wear and tear on himself and his horse if Paul Revere had a smart phone. Just send a text ahead to everyone.

“The British are coming! Men, grab your AR-15s, lots of ammo, hop in your SUV and meet on the Green in Lexington. We can stop ‘em there or at Concord.”

We would have missed out on Longfellow’s famous poem, “Listen, my children, and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere…” But, again, history might have changed.

Finally, what if Gen. Robert E. Lee, at Gettysburg, had sent a text to Gen. Pickett. “George, I’m ordering you and your ten thousand men to march across that mile of open ground and attack the Union troops. You can do it!”

Pickett probably would have replied, “Are you nuts?” History again would have been altered.

Communication techniques did get faster and easier.

Dick Tracy, the cartoon detective, got his wrist radio in 1946 allowing him to talk to other cops from anywhere. Sue has an Apple watch so sophisticated it does almost everything but cook her breakfast. Progress?

Almost every person in the country, and most of the world, has a cell phone in their pocket. They can reach out to anyone, anywhere with pictures, video and texting.

Yet, we still have problems. We still have conflicts. We still have turmoil. So, I ask you, does faster mean better? I’m still hopeful. Are you?

Contact Rick at editor@pageone-inc.com