Imagine Being Transported Back About 50 Years

[CanDB]

I was thinking about what it would be like if one of the younger generation folks today suddenly woke up to find themselves in the era when some of us "seniors" grew up. How would they handle the transition? For starters, it would be very, very quiet in terms of what to do to fill the day. Lets just think about this...........no internet (there goes facebook, email, etc.), no wireless phones (and texting), only a few tv channels on black and white tv, and if we go back a few more years, no tv at all! Yes we did have phones, but they were typically one colour - black, with rotary dial, and pretty much stuck in one place. No voice messaging, call display, and all the other telecom goodies. As for games, well lets just say they were board type games, which the youth of today would call "bored" games I'm sure. It was all manual.....

But just imagine the differences in lifestyle, just in terms of commuication alone. For one thing, the only basic ways to make contact were face to face, on the one "fixed" household phone, and basically via letter. In fact, getting a letter was a pretty exciting thing indeed. A nice, handwritten letter......so cool.

But for this poor time traveller, they would soon discover that the onus would be to make things happen anytime you had a glimmer of chance. When you left each other, you often had a solid gameplan for the next meeting. Maybe you were going to a movie, or a game or a dance, or to one of the wealthier kids' houses (bigger / more room) for some fun. Clearly you knew of no other way, but you certainly could not instantly reach any one. For a youth of today, it may be angonizing to have to have to fill in the time, not that they wouldn't adjust sooner or later. And even the phone wasn't such a great communication device, because often it was in a place where you had little or no privacy, and typically others in the house would expect you to get off it with some urgency. Then again, we were just happy to have these modern technological gems at our disposal.

In the end, I can't imagine the sudden change in lifestyle, for that first month or so. I mean, how would one use all that free time? How would you meet anyone? How would you to stay up to date? Boredom may become a medical issue.....

Well, before thinking that I am in favour of the old days, lets just say that we did all right........ignorance was so bliss. It was like the wonder years, because we were in awe of anything new in the world. And when something good happened, it was that much more exciting. Getting that letter in the mail. Meeting someone at a friend's house or school dance. Staying busy in sports and clubs and whatever. Being creative was at a premium. And we all, parents included, knew so much less about what was going on in the world, every minute......this is one area that for me has its serious pros/cons, because in today's world we are able to be on top of every possible thing that someone wants to tell us, but at the same time, we are overloaded with info and much of it is crafted to sell something.

But in support of today's world, technology certainly has made life better in so many ways. Being able to reach someone instantly is a great safety net. Making things happen could not be easier. Staying close to family and friends is a blessing. Learning online is really amazing! In fact, the list of positives is very long. For sure, we would not be in this or any other online forum back in the day.

~~~~~~~~~~~

This is not a "we were better / tougher / more creative" thread. I just thought it would be interesting to imagine the lifestyle shock, if one had to go back in time.

[BroncoManiac_69]

I think about this stuff too Dave when I hear and see kids these days.

I'm going to be 48 here in a couple of months so I'll just go back 40 years.

My sister and I would sit on our front sidewalk and play with our Hot Wheel track, Lincoln Logs and then fry up some grasshoppers in my sister's Easy Bake Oven.

My Big Wheel ended up with a square front wheel and GI Joe would visit Barbie from time to time.

We would watch Mutual Omaha's Wild Kingdom, Hee-Haw and I Dream Of Jeanie.

We played kickball, head light-tail light and ghost in the graveyard.

We were never bored and came up with creative ways to keep ourselves amused.

Kids these days and their Playstations, Cell Phones and iPods would probably go into convulsions and break out in hives being subjected to such torture.

[Frenchy180]

Haha please oh please give me another 30 or so years before I have to launch back 50 years lol... I'd be interested to go back to the 80's and see what that was like

[BroncoManiac_69]

Haha please oh please give me another 30 or so years before I have to launch back 50 years lol... I'd be interested to go back to the 80's and see what that was like

The 80's were a thrill. I graduated high school in 1980.

What is funny to me, is that we used to hate when our parents would say "I remember back when I was a kid" and give their opinions and examples.

Now I'm saying it.

[JakeNbake]

Old people..........

[samparnell]

Leave ...

... it to Beaver.

What does Ward do, anyway?

[Fargo]

Well, if that happened, I'd have to avoid my mother in the event she fell in love with me. I'd also probably start playing all the big hits from the 70's before they were recorded and buy myself an internet of my own.

Wait... I missed the point again, didn't I.



Great thread Can. There were many things to do back then that aren't available now if you think about it. There really aren't street sports so much anymore, pinball is hard to find anywhere, the little hobbies also played a bigger role. Still, my favorite music is from that era, so I'd be pretty well satisfied regardless.

The way I see it, we changed a lot of values and entertainment since then. The leash, so to speak, has been tightened since. You could have done things back then that really aren't available to day. The same goes the other way around. I'm sure society 50 years from now will seem a lot more bleak to me with the rate our lives are being engulfed by agendas and schedule, but who's to say there won't be bright spots then too?

[Frenchy180]

The 80's were a thrill. I graduated high school in 1980.

What is funny to me, is that we used to hate when our parents would say "I remember back when I was a kid" and give their opinions and examples.

Now I'm saying it.

I can imagine lol... I'll be talking about "when I was your age" asap with my kids... I get nostolgia playing video game consoles I never played when they were first out. I love my original nintendo system... Would love to go back and see bands like Ozzy and Metallica play in their primes... Who knows, maybe go see Elway masterfully march 98 1/2 yards to send the AFC Championship game into OT... Oh man... Maybe I was born to live in the 80's? I'm getting misty eyed at the times I miss... And I didn't even live in those times!

[BroncoManiac_69]

I can imagine lol... I'll be talking about "when I was your age" asap with my kids... I get nostolgia playing video game consoles I never played when they were first out. I love my original nintendo system... Would love to go back and see bands like Ozzy and Metallica play in their primes... Who knows, maybe go see Elway masterfully march 98 1/2 yards to send the AFC Championship game into OT... Oh man... Maybe I was born to live in the 80's? I'm getting misty eyed at the times I miss... And I didn't even live in those times!

I remember when dad brought home the game Pong. We were really enjoying the technology.

I can tell you that sitting in Mile High Stadium that whole 80's decade during Elway's career was most thrilling. I miss those days a LOT!

Times were much easier back then and there were no real cares in the world speaking of my life.

And the music! :dance:

[2 Minute Warning]

glad I was a kid when I was a kid

I have been following these topics.

Brings back lots of memories.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tv/866201-whats-first-tv-theme-song-you.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tv/872698-sound-off.html

>>>>

http://www.skooldays.com/

[ParkHill-71]

Great Can

I think about things like this as well. I'm often reminded of it as my girlfriend/wife is 10 years younger than me. Sometimes things happen and I laugh, while she is like I don't get it. Some joke on television someone makes or something I notice while driving.

My daughter has Mp3 players, playstations with internet browsing. She takes my wifes phone texts me. 6 years old...lol. I tell her all the time, you know what I did for fun at your age, road a green machine. I mean it was the new technology for big wheels. We played football in the street from sun up to sun down. At sun down, it was hide and seek, or red light green light. Oh, and don't forget the Karate movies. Every kid in the neighbor hood watching kung fu theatre and then about 4 p.m. was out fighting each other thinking they were Bruce Lee. Taking your own popcorn to the Crest theatre in Parkhill. We would walk 15 blocks, a whole group of us kids.

Now days, I cant find kids playing outside. Maybe some of the younger kids, but kids from ages 8-14...not on my block. We were all so much safer back then too. I guess thats why. I just recently had a situation where my daughter wanted stay the night at another kids house. It was so tough for me because we don't know this family. When I was growing up there was alot less fear about those things.

The communication thing, yesss. I sometimes watch the show that 70's show. So nastalgic to me. They all just ended up at Eric's house. No phone calls. No texts or special arangements. They just sat in a room and talked. Or went to water tower and hung out. T.v. only had 4 channels...lol back then. Technology has made life better these days, still sometimes I do wish for the older days.

[ParkHill-71]

I remember when dad brought home the game Pong. We were really enjoying the technology.

I can tell you that sitting in Mile High Stadium that whole 80's decade during Elway's career was most thrilling. I miss those days a LOT!

Times were much easier back then and there were no real cares in the world speaking of my life.

And the music! :dance:

Speaking of the Mile High Thing....So do I....
I remember freezing almost every Sunday the whether was bad. My grandfather would only give me those tickets. He would buy others at times for me to go. I then took a job as vendor. Man it could get cold in that stadium..lol..

[Frenchy180]

I remember when dad brought home the game Pong. We were really enjoying the technology.

I can tell you that sitting in Mile High Stadium that whole 80's decade during Elway's career was most thrilling. I miss those days a LOT!

Times were much easier back then and there were no real cares in the world speaking of my life.

And the music! :dance:

I would LOVE to find an atari! Lol... I truly enjoy gaming technology from the 80s. About Mile High, I was only able to make it once, in 1997 when we played the Seahawks. It was amazing... Being so young, not knowing if the stands would survive the thrashing our feet were unleashing upon them... Amazing is the only word for that magical building.

[CanDB]

I think about this stuff too Dave when I hear and see kids these days.

I'm going to be 48 here in a couple of months so I'll just go back 40 years.

My sister and I would sit on our front sidewalk and play with our Hot Wheel track, Lincoln Logs and then fry up some grasshoppers in my sister's Easy Bake Oven.

My Big Wheel ended up with a square front wheel and GI Joe would visit Barbie from time to time.

We would watch Mutual Omaha's Wild Kingdom, Hee-Haw and I Dream Of Jeanie.

We played kickball, head light-tail light and ghost in the graveyard.

We were never bored and came up with creative ways to keep ourselves amused.

Kids these days and their Playstations, Cell Phones and iPods would probably go into convulsions and break out in hives being subjected to such torture.

Cool memories eh Joe!! (i'm refreshing - no not ME!!...owe you some!)

Haha please oh please give me another 30 or so years before I have to launch back 50 years lol... I'd be interested to go back to the 80's and see what that was like

Life was good......the late 50s, 60s and 70s were amazing!!

The 80's were a thrill. I graduated high school in 1980.

What is funny to me, is that we used to hate when our parents would say "I remember back when I was a kid" and give their opinions and examples.

Now I'm saying it.

Peace brother.......what goes around.....

Old people..........

Hey JNb.......50s are the new 20s........

... it to Beaver.

What does Ward do, anyway?

Loved that show!!!!! Mind you, that family was terribly dysfunctional....too normal.

Well, if that happened, I'd have to avoid my mother in the event she fell in love with me. I'd also probably start playing all the big hits from the 70's before they were recorded and buy myself an internet of my own.

Wait... I missed the point again, didn't I.



Great thread Can. There were many things to do back then that aren't available now if you think about it. There really aren't street sports so much anymore, pinball is hard to find anywhere, the little hobbies also played a bigger role. Still, my favorite music is from that era, so I'd be pretty well satisfied regardless.

The way I see it, we changed a lot of values and entertainment since then. The leash, so to speak, has been tightened since. You could have done things back then that really aren't available to day. The same goes the other way around. I'm sure society 50 years from now will seem a lot more bleak to me with the rate our lives are being engulfed by agendas and schedule, but who's to say there won't be bright spots then too?

....that's the deal, 50 years from now will make us (well, not me) look back and smile....this may be the best days ever!!! And I'm sure it will look very simple compared to 2060....

I can imagine lol... I'll be talking about "when I was your age" asap with my kids... I get nostolgia playing video game consoles I never played when they were first out. I love my original nintendo system... Would love to go back and see bands like Ozzy and Metallica play in their primes... Who knows, maybe go see Elway masterfully march 98 1/2 yards to send the AFC Championship game into OT... Oh man... Maybe I was born to live in the 80's? I'm getting misty eyed at the times I miss... And I didn't even live in those times!

Hope you have sweet memories when you get old like me!

I remember when dad brought home the game Pong. We were really enjoying the technology.

I can tell you that sitting in Mile High Stadium that whole 80's decade during Elway's career was most thrilling. I miss those days a LOT!

Times were much easier back then and there were no real cares in the world speaking of my life.

And the music! :dance:

Pong......gee that was fast!!!!!!!! The kids now would make a shot, go for some food, and come back to hit their next shot.....

And the music..........to this day, the late 50s - the mid 70s was one of the greatest music eras of all time!!!......Some of it may never be matched - The British Invasion and the fall out period I believe was created by Viet Nam and other political "concerns", which brought out the best in pop/rock, folk music and more....that was a period whereby people stood up for their rights, and the outcome was amazing music!

I have been following these topics.

Brings back lots of memories.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tv/866201-whats-first-tv-theme-song-you.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/tv/872698-sound-off.html

>>>>

http://www.skooldays.com/

Hey 2MW......always nice when you join in....

Great Can

I think about things like this as well. I'm often reminded of it as my girlfriend/wife is 10 years younger than me. Sometimes things happen and I laugh, while she is like I don't get it. Some joke on television someone makes or something I notice while driving.

My daughter has Mp3 players, playstations with internet browsing. She takes my wifes phone texts me. 6 years old...lol. I tell her all the time, you know what I did for fun at your age, road a green machine. I mean it was the new technology for big wheels. We played football in the street from sun up to sun down. At sun down, it was hide and seek, or red light green light. Oh, and don't forget the Karate movies. Every kid in the neighbor hood watching kung fu theatre and then about 4 p.m. was out fighting each other thinking they were Bruce Lee. Taking your own popcorn to the Crest theatre in Parkhill. We would walk 15 blocks, a whole group of us kids.

Now days, I cant find kids playing outside. Maybe some of the younger kids, but kids from ages 8-14...not on my block. We were all so much safer back then too. I guess thats why. I just recently had a situation where my daughter wanted stay the night at another kids house. It was so tough for me because we don't know this family. When I was growing up there was alot less fear about those things.

The communication thing, yesss. I sometimes watch the show that 70's show. So nastalgic to me. They all just ended up at Eric's house. No phone calls. No texts or special arangements. They just sat in a room and talked. Or went to water tower and hung out. T.v. only had 4 channels...lol back then. Technology has made life better these days, still sometimes I do wish for the older days.

I know what you mean........and I'm sure you'll agree, it's a nice balance, the old days (saved in our memories) and the new days.....

(I repeat this one over and over) I always believe that my best day is yet to come, even though I've had an outrageous number of great ones along the way.

[BroncoManiac_69]

Cherry-O

Chutes and Ladders

Ker Plunk

Operation

Rack-O

And do you remember clackers before they were banned?