"in my day..."

[Boozy]

Let's use 1950 as an example of "back in my day":

In 1950, infant mortality was 29.5 per 1000 births. In 2003 it was 6.9 per 1000.

In 1950, US life expectancy was slightly less than 70 years. Today, it is well over 80 years in many areas.

In 1950, US GDP per capita was less than $10,000. Today, it is more than twice that.

I could go on, but I think it's pretty clear that the world is a better place to live today than it was 30, 40, 50 years ago. And the cause of that is all those newfangled gadgets we "don't need". Technology has caused an explosion in productivity, and that means real improvements in our quality of life.

You don't have to buy a cell phone or computer, but it's ridiculous to say that these things haven't improved the world we live in.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Having a mobile is a hell of a lot cheaper than a landline. Using Facebook to keep in touch with relatives living in other countries is a lot cheaper than using airmail.

However, there are some things better about the past; it's silly to pretend that everything about the future's better. I'm sure some of us remember a time when as kids we could go off on our own without everyone having a manic panic about pedophiles. O.o While Pedobear was certainly operating back in the '50s, there wasn't all this "OMG there are pedophiles EVERYWHERE!!!1!1eleventy!" hysteria back then.

[Rapscallion]

Back in my day, I was told that when I got another thirty years behind me, I'd be able to say 'back in my day' and mean it. They were right.

Rapscallion

[muses_nightmare]

Is it bad that I've said "back in my day..." and I'm only 22? I've also said "I don't get kids today!"

[gremcint]

In your day you were in constant fear of nuclear armageddon.

[Bloodsoul]

"I was born before the digital age,
I was born before collective rage,
Have we really come so far?
To see us now I'm not so sure,
Now answer me this:

Do you remember vinyl at all?
Do you remember analog?
And I guess the world changes easier than some of the folks I know

I was born with the rotary phone,
Now there's an internet in every home,
Five and dime stores have come to an end,
Now being pretty is the only trend,
Now answer me this:

Do you remember when you loved someone,
Who wasn't on the front of Rolling Stone?
And I guess the world changes easier than some of the folks I know,
And I guess the world changes easier than some of the folks I know

There was a time when you had to wind your watch,
And I remember mayors like Ed Koch,
Mom and pop stores have fallen away,
But no one seems to care anyway,
Now answer me this:

Do you care about anything at all?
Or have you gone the way of analog?
And I guess the world changes easier than some of the folks I know,
And I guess the world changes easier than some of the folks I know

— "Analog" by Jonathan Ian Mathers

[MergedLoki]

It's cuz people get old. they think 'back in the day' was 'the day' because it was 'back then' no.. it was 'the day' because they were young.

'the day' doesn't matter. YOUTH is good. once that's gone. your fucked.
sorry it sucks but it's true. move on over for other people.

It's also why so many bills etc. get shot down. old people vote... in droves. They don't have to work on super tuesday. they jsut go to the polls and sit outside waiting.. 'why's he smiling? what's he got to be happy about.. vote no. whatever it is he's happy about vote no on it.'

and then they shuffle off to eat pudding and die.