I suppose it is a new feature. At least I never noticed it before. But the thirty second video our daughter sent of our granddaughter counting to ten in Spanish repeats in a loop. Which comes in handy since it is in fact a moment I want to savor. 

 

I can see her smile, hear the lilt of her voice, and even enjoy the pauses as she looks at her mom for a hint. 

 

Perhaps there is a techie person somewhere who gets credit for inventing such video loops. Thirty two years ago my oldest son made one on a tape deck, if you even know what those are, for a science project. He rigged it to the refrigerator, and if someone left the door open for more than ten seconds the reprimanding voice kicked in and wouldn't quit until it closed.

 

"You left the fridge open! We are the food inside and are getting warm. Remember to shut it! You left the fridge open! We are the food inside and are getting warm. Remember to shut it. You left the fridge open..."

 

For an eight year old it was epic. These days he is a Senior Engineer for Deloitte, and takes on even more complex projects. Plus for what they pay him he can keep the fridge open as long as he likes. 

 

Perhaps the seminal repeating feature is the one inside the human brain. How many times do we have to rehash stale conversations, and imaginary reprimands before we pull the plug? Why do we endure the same diatribe over and over as if it will, you know, improve? 

 

Much more nourishing are the sweet memories of my family. Those I can watch trescientas veces.