For those who say we are worse off than ever

[Pouria]

Back in the day I would go out and play in the creek or climb a tree or something, we didn't even have a tv, now I just sit in front of the computer all day. Sure I have all this information at my fingertips and can get in touch with whoever I want just like that, but there are tradeoffs and I'm not sure they are all worth it. I don't have the willpower to deny myself the use of this modern technology and internet, but if it were to all fail tomorrow - no computers or internet or cell-phones - and never return, I feel like it would be a good thing.

[SergioMomesso]

The "good ol days", were when I slept in all summer long, hit the lake up at around 2 pm with a bunch of friends and girls, scrounging up just enough money for a flat of tall cans and 5 gallons of gas. Which we could buy for under 50 bucks.

50 bucks doesn't do d1ck all for me anymore.

[Ghostsof1915]

Born in the late 60's.

My Mom and Dad were able to buy a house for under $10,000. Both my parents worked (They did divorce though).

My uncle won acreage in Mission in a poker game. A POKER GAME.

I didn't get into trouble because we had a huge backyard. I could play soccer, climb trees, kids played, not stuck in front of a tv all day. I played in the mud, jumped into puddles, we had Tonka toys made of metal and they were damn near indestructible.

When I was in high school, gang fights involved baseball bats, and chains. Rarely did anyone hear of anyone using a gun.

Gas was cheap, you could pick up a 1960's car for dirt cheap. Much Music actually played..GASP...music.

There's tradeoffs. But in general I think society is more rude, self-centred, and lacks courtesy these days. I see more people drinking, and doing drugs. When I go to a concert now, people throw stuff at the band on stage. In general people are more tech savvy but they can't act like civilized people in public. There's less accountability across all levels of society. No one admits they screwed up, made a mistake, or does anything to correct it.

Innovation, science, and engineering has taken a back seat to accountants, lawyers, and politicians. No one does things because they are right, they only do it to make a buck. People say they want to help the environment, as long as it doesn't affect their lifestyle. I'm seeing kids that get into serious trouble, and instead of owning up to it, they run to mommy and daddy to bail them out.

In short common sense has gone out the window. Unless people start working together, we're heading on a one way ticket to disaster.

[Buddhas Hand]

If I had to put our cultural change into one word it would be 'carelessness.'

I don't think we take as much 'care' with things as our ancestors, whether that be with possessions, the environment or each other. Granted, we make strides in each of those cases yet they seem to be just against the rising tide.

There doesn't go a day by for me where I don't see people heedlessly damaging things, mindlessly polluting out of laziness, or being callous in their interactions with others.

I think we need to try and rediscover what the term 'gentleman/gentlewoman' truly means.

[S.Mouse!]

Nostalgia isn't as good as it used to be...

[Aladeen]

The Most Important thing from the past... That's Right You all Guessed it:

[CroSen]

Does anyone remember a time when Vancouver wasn't as crowded, and when driving down was easy? One thing I and my parents loved about Vancouver was that even though it was a major city, there was a time, even in rush hour when rush hour wasn't so bad, and you could walk the streets without being shoulder to shoulder with the people next to you. For me it is the population growth that has become a big turn off of BC.

And as others have said, there just seems to be so much carelessness now. Great examples include going to a concert and having to hear the person behind you on the phone, going to a park and seeing all of the waste (most of it needless) just piling out of garbage cans. Trips to the USA for shoping because it's "cheaper" which in some cases maybe true, however I would imagine we all know people who already own 20 t-shirts and then by another 4 or 5 simply because it was a "great deal."

[Zamboni_14]

The Most Important thing from the past... That's Right You all Guessed it:

This was the pinnicale of civilization!

[Grapefruits]

You know what is disgusting now a days

You go to a restaurant, look around and see 2 people going to dinner looking down at their phones.

You go over to a birthday party, sit around the fire, nobody talks they just stare at the phone.

A 2 year old is acting like a brat, throw it an iPad with Dora on it.

Kids can watch hardcore porn with the flick of their finger, they don't even know what passion is, they figure relationships and sex works like porn.

technology is separating us from reality.

[Alchemy Time]

Canada OTOH, has since gotten a lot worse whether the stats reflect it or not.

[MANGO]

With everything at our fingertips now, people are less willing to work for anything. It's the instant gratification generation.

[nuckin_futz]

In short common sense has gone out the window. Unless people start working together, we're heading on a one way ticket to disaster.