Except that actually I'm doing something remarkably like that. I look back at the Britain of 50 or so years ago and I do think life then was a lot better than it is now. There seem to be more and more things today that look like a step backwards and not a step forwards. Things that were better than now:
- Houses were much cheaper
- Rental fees were much lower
- Less cumbersome technology. Fewer passwords, pin numbers, memorable words etc.
- Less misogynistic abuse and hatred
- No social media
- People were more polite and more considerate
- Less traffic on the roads
- Tourism hadn't got out of control
- No Airbnb
- Flying was more comfortable
- University education was free
- No smartphones and no need for them
- Villages weren't full of vacant second homes
- We weren't besieged by news
- Politicians were more serious and more competent
- Transsexuality hadn't been taken over by fanatics
- Much more council housing (public housing)
- More public toilets
- Fewer dangerous leisure drugs
- Less anti-social behaviour
- No food banks
That's a pretty impressive list of "how things were better". I'll have to stop denying I'm nostalgic and start furtively harping on about the good old days. Then I really will be an antiquated old codger.
PS: Jenny has corrected me about misogyny. She says it was much worse - and much more blatant - when we were young.
Good morning Nick, I can not agree with much points in your list. Misogynistic abuse was hidden at those times. We are not obliged to follow social media or have smart phones. Yes more traffic of course the population increases. Politicians more serious ? Food banks existed already in the sixties in France and here also for many many years. I will say nothing about transsexuality , I know you have problems with this subject. Globally I think nothing was better , but we all wear probably rose glasses. Times have changed we can choose what we take for us or not.
ReplyDeleteHannah
Hannah: It all depends on how you look at things, I guess. To mention just two things: the level of misogynistic abuse (and death threats) levelled at women on social media is horrific, and surely worse than when we were growing up. I think politicians at the time of Harold Wilson and Jim Callaghan (1964 to 1979) were a lot more serious about running the country efficiently and helping those who were struggling with their lives.
DeleteThe usual phrase is rose-tinted glasses.
Less misogynistic abuse and hatred - not sure about that one, as Hannah says it was hidden, and people turned a blind eye.
ReplyDeleteWe always live in scary times because we don't know what's going to happen next and humans don't like uncertainty.
Sx
Ms Scarlet: I would say a lot of it is still hidden of course, like the casual harassment of women on the street and all the rape and violence behind closed doors. But you're right about uncertainty. I'd really like to know what the future holds.
DeletePink glasses of course.
ReplyDeleteHannah
There will always be things that were better and worse in every era. As much as I love all that the internet/technology has to offer, I do think that society was better off without it in many ways.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I agree about the internet and technology. It's made life more complicated, it's undermined offline friendships and it requires laborious security procedures.
DeleteI did not have to lock my doors.....the butcher's delivery man would put my order in the fridge....now I have to have a security system!
ReplyDeletePolice were both visible and active, now they are neither.
Fly: Ah, someone who shares my nostalgia! The police are now completely overwhelmed by crime (like widespread shoplifting) and unable to do their job properly.
DeleteI'm happy to hear Jenny set you straight, ha!
ReplyDeleteColette: She was reminding me that sexist language and behaviour was considered quite normal in those days.
DeleteJenny is correct, but in the US we are heading right back there, sorta at warp speed. Decorum, at least here, is a thing of the past. I miss children playing outside, no organized sports consuming their lives.
ReplyDeleteSandra: "Decorum is a thing of the past" That's depressing. And social media is responsible for so much abuse and intolerance.
DeleteGood for Jenny. Yes, misogyny was second nature, including many women. We brought the coffee, remember? Life was easier in many ways, but not better.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Life was easier but not better - an interesting distinction. You have a point.
DeleteI agree, life was easier in the past.
ReplyDeleteMary: Technology was meant to make our lives simpler, but it's done the opposite and made everything more complicated.
DeleteI don't know about Britain but there were food banks in the USA back then.
ReplyDeleteLinda Sand
Linda: I had no idea the USA had food banks way before the UK. "The first food bank in the UK was the Salisbury Foodbank, which opened in 2000. It was started by Paddy and Carol Henderson in their garden shed."
DeleteJ Woolf? Is that Jenny Woolf? Not sure who this comment is coming from. But you make a good point about the past being more familiar to us oldies.
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty comprehensive list of the "good ole days" Nick and I would add that people conversed vs. texting or emailing. More letters and cards were sent vs. electronic delivery.
ReplyDeleteI love what you guys are up too. This type of clever work and coverage!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the very good works guys I've added you guys to blogroll.
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