Were They Really the Good Old Days?

[dodge man]

I think for every two steps forward we have taken, we have taken on step back, for a lot of the reasons listed in other peoples posts. I'm 51 years old, and the biggest advance I'd say I've seen in my lifetime is the electronics. Computers, TV, in cars, etc. When my grandmother was born, it would have taken several days to cross the U.S in a train, now in a modern jet fighter, the same trip can be made in hours. I also think back to the original Star Trek show with the communicaters, they remind me of how we use cell phones now.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Who needs modern conveniences anyway?

I was looking at a book of Toronto of 1967 yesterday. YES, those were better times. At least in this country and particular socioeconomic class. Change was slow but good. We had a new shopping mall (Yorkdale). It was the only one in Canada. Now there is one every few miles in urban centres.

You could actually drive on the 401, at any time of day, not sit parked!

We had maybe six TV channels and there WAS something to watch!

And yes, we left our doors unlocked!

The kids were gone (somewhere) all day long without worry.

I could go on and on.

Sadly, we were destroying the planet.

I don't have kids and I'm glad I don't, for I don't see a bright future. Whether it be terrorism (if this even really exists) or a super bug, something will likely come along and cull the nine billion or so population, and it will be a very ugly experience, especially for those of us that have been so spoiled for so long.

 

[Egbert]

When I ponder on this question, I always come to the conclusion that advanced medical care is the only real improvement that matters.

Yes, many thousands of advancements have been made but most of them are convenience items - not necessities.

The flip-side of all this - we have become rudderless. As a nation, we have lost our will, our way, our faith, our morals and our history.

 

[Industrial Toys]

May I remind you of antibiotic resistant "super bugs"?

We have painted ourselves into so many corners it's not even funny!

 

[tcartwri]

My Fathers generation lived through two world wars, lost many siblings at birth or to disease, had no social services whatsoever, had parents who were lucky to see 60, went to work full time by 15, got the wee beaten out them by their teachers, had to run in a gang or get beaten up just because he was english and or catholic, etc, etc...

 

[Egbert]

Yes, but resistance to antibiotics is a relatively new problem. We have enjoyed a good stretch of freedom from fear of most infections. This issue is more serious than most seem to realize and we could rapidly see a return to huge death numbers along these lines.

Having said that, I believe "we" will be able to respond to this challenge when medical researchers/companies see a profit potential. The fact is, little research is being done because the quick money is to be found in less important drugs.

To the larger picture, the "bright future", I am with you. I truly believe the best days of this country are behind us. We are dying, and I believe the illness is terminal. Look at our government - Corrupt, Cowardly, Feckless. Look at our debt - $17 trillion is just what is admitted but the actual debt is many hundreds of times higher. Even at $17T, it will N E V E R be repaid - eventually leading to complete financial collapse. Look at our power grid - wide open to any number of threats, including EMP, that could result in millions dead. Look at our borders - we secure the borders of countries on the other side of the world, while getting our panties in a wad when anyone suggests the same for here at home. Our culture is being destroyed. This list could go on all night but each of these mentioned is a symptom of our failure.

I pray for my daughter, as she will likely be living through the social chaos of our death spiral.

 

[tallyho8]

When I think about the old days I remember how much simpler our life was back then. We have many more luxuries now but we pay the price for them but also we earn so much more now that we are able to afford our lifestyles. I got my first regular job, a paper route, at age 12 in 1957. I worked about 21 hours a week for $8 and now I make much more than that in 21 minutes.

I tried to figure out how much I could save monthly if I lived the same simple life now that I lived in 1965 when I got married.

Over the air TV, no cable.............................Save $65
No computers or internet....................................$95
No cell phones...................................................$80
No video games.................................................$20
Used car. No a/c, power, auto anything,..............$300
Small 900 s.f. house.........................................$800
No A/C, clothes dryer, dishwasher........................$50
Electricity for above items..................................$100
Cruises and other luxury vacations......................$500
Dining out........................................................$200
TOTAL saved monthly $2210

Would I like to live the simpler life and save that money? NO
Would I like to go back to 1965 and be young and healthy again? YES

 

[ultrarunner]

I tried to figure out how much I could save monthly if I lived the same simple life now that I lived in 1965 when I got married.

Over the air TV, no cable.............................Save $65
No computers or internet....................................$95
No cell phones...................................................$80
No video games.................................................$20
Used car. No a/c, power, auto anything,..............$300
Small 900 s.f. house.........................................$800
No A/C, clothes dryer, dishwasher........................$50
Electricity for above items..................................$100
Cruises and other luxury vacations......................$500
Dining out........................................................$200
TOTAL saved monthly $2210

Would I like to live the simpler life and save that money? NO
Would I like to go back to 1965 and be young and healthy again? YES

Glad you didn't mention tractor!

Actually, most of those I still don't have...

 

[oldballs]

Glad you didn't mention tractor!

Actually, most of those I still don't have...

Come to think of it, "most of those I still don't have"....either....at least not to that extent...e.g.no vacation in over 30 years, no dining out, no video games (except TBN), used truck nothing electric, no cable, no dishwasher, no big pension....but thank God for soc.sec.and my fairly new Kubota with all the trimins'. And thank God for my good genes and health, one good Wife, one good rifle and one good dog.

 

[newbury]

About '73 I and many of my buddies in college realized we were at the peak of civilization -
Science and medicine were greatly improving our lives.
The electronic age was upon us.
War was winding down.
You could hitchhike across America fairly safely, and I did, from Burlington, Vermont to San Diego and back.

But we realized most of the benefits were based on our fathers and mothers fighting and winning WWII and cheap energy.

Well hopefully with the blip of fracking and the final ending of the wars we can have one more round of prosperity before we sink back into the big business dominated world like proceeded 1929. Because at this point I'm becoming one of those people that think "I've got mine" and I'm getting off this merry-go-round.