Was life simpler in years gone by?

[Coralnails]

I've been watching Classic Corrie from the 80s and 90s recently and it's made me nostalgic for those decades.

Even though I wouldn't swap my smartphone, internet and all the choices we have these days, in some ways I feel like things were better back then.

It's like we never switch off these days, phones are attached to us 24/7, with things like online shopping we've got so much choice it can be overwhelming. Screen time is a big thing for children now with tablets, phones, YouTube. I could think of more examples, passwords for everything, so much more we have to think about now. Everything is so instant these days too, it's convenient but can take the fun out of things.

Back then if you went out, you were out, not attached to your phone and emails all the time.

There were 4 channels, and children's programmes all finished in time for dinner. A comic and a 10p mix up was enough to please most children.

Remember waiting to get your photos developed from your disposable camera.

Going to the video shop on a Saturday evening to rent a film.

Looking through the newspaper to see the film times.

I wouldn't go back knowing what I know now, but I do think modern technology has taken some of the simple joys away.

Calling landlines and having to have small talk with your friend's parents before they put your friend on.

Sigh.

Yes, way simpler.

Smacking, casual racism, sexual abuse covered up, bullying.

I'll stick with 2019

No, it wasn't simpler, it was way more inconvenient. I remember being a student and panicking that the book I needed for my revision was lent out. Being stuck in the middle of nowhere after a car accident without a mobile phone and no change for a payphone. Having to remember to get cash out or go without lunch because no one around my work was taking cards.

Thanks, but no thanks.

Fair point artfully.

Sadly though a lot of that still goes on, less acceptable perhaps.

MUCH less acceptable.

Did you watch Clasdic Coronation Street from the start?

Deidre Barlow, being told that she shouldn't be standing for Counsellor, being called a mere slip of a girl. It helping to break up her marriage, because Ken couldn't stand her priority not being the family. Verbal abuse in the street because public opinion was that she should be happy at home.

The cleaner in the pub having to go on the run again from her abusive husband, living in poverty.

Hilda leaving, she had to put her children into care because of Satan's violence.

Rita nearly getting killed by Alan. Alan getting away with attempted rape.

Neither side of the family accepting a mixed race relationship.

No gay or disabled people.

I will say that my DD likes the lack of sensationalism, though.

Hilda leaving, she had to put her children into care because of Satan's violence did she have children! I never knew that. What happened after?

At least we weren't expected to check our fucking email/respond to msgs at anytime. I hate that. I can never switch off from it.

I grew up in the 90’s and early 00’s and I’m so glad that every stupid embarrassing thing I did wasn’t filmed on someone’s iPhone and posted online. We had bebo and MySpace which was pretty basic compared to now.

You would go out with your friends and actually talk to your friends! Although.. if you arranged to meet someone and they didn’t show up you’d have to go back home and call their landline.

Oh and sweets were a penny in the post office.

Birdsgottofly I've seen some of them but not all. The casual sexism was quite shocking.

I was just being a bit nostalgic but you're definitely bursting my nostalgic bubble.

Although what's making me really fed up now is that most of the things you've mentioned are still going on today. Maybe not in such an obvious outright way, but they still are in some shape or form.

I was a child in the 80s and 90s so will have a limited memory of that time, but I was going to add at the end of my op that it wasn't all rosy. I can remember damp mouldy council houses, rubbish everywhere on the streets, no central heating.

Just having a geek moment now but decided to post it just in case someone else finds it amusing. Non-gamers scroll on past 😀

World of Warcraft has this exact issue. Players who have been around since early on in the game keep complaining that all the various things that make life easier and less boring in the game actually make it less fun by reducing the need to actually put some effort in and especially to team up with other people to achieve your goals. So they’re bringing back the original version of the game later this year.

I agree though. All those modern conveniences in many ways make life less satisfying even though on paper they sound great. And there’s that feeling that whatever you have there’s always something you’re missing out on because there’s so many options. You lose the sense of being in the world because so much is done at the click of a button instead of actually doing something physically.

In the game this is referred to as ‘immersion’ the feeling that you are really in this alternative world. What if we’re ruining our sense of immersion in the real world?

I grew up in the 90’s and early 00’s and I’m so glad that every stupid embarrassing thing I did wasn’t filmed on someone’s iPhone and posted online.

Fuck yes!

I can never switch off from it.

That's on you. I've had my phone constantly on silent (odd days here and there when it wasn't) for the past 7 years. I check my phone when i want, if i want. The same with replying to stuff. Between 22:00 and 6:00 I also have all notifications turned off so they won't even appear on my screen.

Technology is a tool just like everything else. It's up to the user how it's being used.

I’m a child of the 70s. Things I remember are no central heating, being cold for half the year, getting soaked walking to school, strikes, power cuts and cars without seatbelts where you all just piled in and sat on each other.
I like 2019

Yes that's the side of things that might have been better in some ways.

The internet and social media is a fantastic thing, but it's not without its problems.

Modern angst seems a lot worse... because the risks are now hypothetical & not real?

Violence was more normal; drowning unwanted kittens or the back of the hand to put you in your place, were normal. I went outside & my parents didn't know where I was for hours so just hoped for the best until I came home again. Everyone had to be more tolerant of risks & kids had to be more resilient dealing with dodgy situations.

I forget all the ways how we used to get information, but it used to take a lot longer. Lots of library visits to look stuff up in directories or encyclopedia.

It's true that a lot of it still goes on but honestly I think we've seen the tip of a tiny iceberg in terms of sexual abuse pre, say, 2010. I know it still happens but at least now there isn't the "children should be seen and not heard" attitude, along with "respect your elders."

Racism is still an issue but again you get less of the overt stuff.

Drink driving, stinking of smoke after a night out ...

Smacking, casual racism, sexual abuse covered up, bullying

Errr yeah because none of those things exist now do they

I was just thinking this when I posted on a thread about whether we enjoyed the new born baby phase. I loved it and think part of it was because there was no social media.

Femalepresenting excellent post, that's exactly how I'm thinking but you've said it so much better.

I wonder what future generations will look back on in horror, from the way we live today.

Yes simpler, but there were far too many bad things allowed to happen and covered up.

Life may have been simpler but it was harder work. I remember my Mum struggling back from the shops laden down with shopping and half killing herself, now she can shop online.

I used to wait at bus stops for hours with no clue when the bus was going to then up. Now I have an app or a board telling me.

We have more of a social conscience I think, there seems to be less bullying and far more tolerance in general.

Smartphones and social media have their downsides but it’s up to us how we use them and having most of human knowledge in our pockets never gets old for me, although my children would probably think I’m showing my age just for saying that.

And Flightradar24 makes everything worth it. I used to look at planes and wonder where they were going and now I know! 🤓