Was the past a more optimistic time than the present?

midnight rain · 02-19-2013, 07:51 PM

This is mainly a question for you 30+ year olds

I only just became an adult a few years back and so I lack the overall perspective, but I'm looking for relatively mature perspectives of the 80's and 90s.

Were these better times? Better economy, homeland security (for you Murrricans), more thriving music scenes, pre-internet days where people's childhood wasn't corrupted by internet access. I enjoy the internet as much as anyone but it also damaged me in a lot of ways that probably never would've happened if I had grown up without it.

Most of this comes from my personal obsession with 80's culture at the moment, I feel like I really missed out.

Stephen · 02-19-2013, 07:59 PM

I'd say the biggest concern back then was the feeling that we were facing inevitable nuclear annihilation. Ah, fun times.

midnight rain · 02-19-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stp

I'd say the biggest concern back then was the feeling that we were facing inevitable nuclear annihilation. Ah, fun times.

How old are you if you don't mind my asking?

Stephen · 02-19-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

How old are you if you don't mind my asking?

Born in '67.

TheBig3 · 02-19-2013, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

This is mainly a question for you 30+ year olds

I only just became an adult a few years back and so I lack the overall perspective, but I'm looking for relatively mature perspectives of the 80's and 90s.

Were these better times? Better economy, homeland security (for you Murrricans), more thriving music scenes, pre-internet days where people's childhood wasn't corrupted by internet access. I enjoy the internet as much as anyone but it also damaged me in a lot of ways that probably never would've happened if I had grown up without it.

Most of this comes from my personal obsession with 80's culture at the moment, I feel like I really missed out.

Well yes, but only because they knew this was coming.

midnight rain · 02-19-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

Well yes, but only because they knew this was coming.

They knew our current state was coming?

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 02-19-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

They knew our current state was coming?

I think it was predicted.

I am 25 (close enough) and I remember the 90's being incredibly secure, Clinton was in power, music was experimental and fresh, and money went further. Food wasn't as expensive, nor oil and people actually made an effort to meet each other in person. TV was brilliant - Friends, Captain Planet, Gargoyles, Rugrats, Fullhouse (I was a kid). Even the internet was better (apart from dial-up) because forums were new and I met great people then. It wasn't all of this Facebook and Twitter rubbish. Games like Age of Empires seemed to lead the way and of course Fallout. I remember some brilliant electronica and even the radio was bearable.

**Janszoon** · 02-19-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

This is mainly a question for you 30+ year olds

I only just became an adult a few years back and so I lack the overall perspective, but I'm looking for relatively mature perspectives of the 80's and 90s.

Were these better times? Better economy, homeland security (for you Murrricans), more thriving music scenes, pre-internet days where people's childhood wasn't corrupted by internet access. I enjoy the internet as much as anyone but it also damaged me in a lot of ways that probably never would've happened if I had grown up without it.

Most of this comes from my personal obsession with 80's culture at the moment, I feel like I really missed out.

No, they weren't better times. As stp mentioned, everybody in the 80s was terrified that the entire planet was going to be annihilated in a nuclear war. It really can't be overstated how much this was in the public consciousness. Also, as the 80s wore on people were absolutely terrified of AIDS and thought it was going to be the new bubonic plague. And Merkins were scared of being sucked into another Vietnam in Central America. Plus, the stock market crashed in 1987 and everyone thought we were going to spin into another great depression. And the Challenger blew up and obliterated all the hope and optimism of the space age. And people were terrified of airplane hijackers. And everybody thought crack cocaine was going to destroy civilization. And everybody was scared of child abductions. And us Merkins had an empty suit in the White House who stood for everything shallow and lame about our culture. And that was just the 80s. I'll save my 90s rant for later.

midnight rain · 02-19-2013, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

No, they weren't better times. As stp mentioned, everybody in the 80s was terrified that the entire planet was going to be annihilated in a nuclear war. It really can't be overstated how much this was in the public consciousness. Also, as the 80s wore on people were absolutely terrified of AIDS and thought it was going to be the new bubonic plague. And Merkins were scared of being sucked into another Vietnam in Central America. Plus, the stock market crashed in 1987 and everyone thought we were going to spin into another great depression. And the Challenger blew up and obliterated all the hope and optimism of the space age. And people were terrified of airplane hijackers. And everybody thought crack cocaine was going to destroy civilization. And everybody was scared of child abductions. And us Merkins had an empty suit in the White House who stood for everything shallow and lame about our culture. And that was just the 80s. I'll save my 90s rant for later.

Lol fair enough, I guess I just liked the pop culture of that era the best and didn't take into consideration all the political and social issues

Black Francis · 02-19-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuna

Lol fair enough, I guess I just liked the pop culture of that era the best and didn't take into consideration all the political and social issues

im with you lol

i was oblivious to those back then

02-19-2013, 07:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
midnight rain Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,711	Was the past a more optimistic time than the present? This is mainly a question for you 30+ year olds I only just became an adult a few years back and so I lack the overall perspective, but I'm looking for relatively mature perspectives of the 80's and 90s. Were these better times? Better economy, homeland security (for you Murrricans), more thriving music scenes, pre-internet days where people's childhood wasn't corrupted by internet access. I enjoy the internet as much as anyone but it also damaged me in a lot of ways that probably never would've happened if I had grown up without it. Most of this comes from my personal obsession with 80's culture at the moment, I feel like I really missed out.

02-19-2013, 07:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stephen I sleep in your hat Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne, Vic. Aus. Posts: 1,848	I'd say the biggest concern back then was the feeling that we were facing inevitable nuclear annihilation. Ah, fun times.