Nationalism (2 Viewers)

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

Again assuming that all older people made the calculations on affordability and no younger people do. It's lazy assumptions. Why did those people rent a TV/wireless/white goods in the 50's/60's? They were unnecessary luxuries. What about those people in the 50's/60's that were the 'Carnaby St' set spending huge amounts on fashionable clothes? Others that would spend a fortune in places like record shops? There are people on here who talk about loads of gigs they went to when they were younger - how is that not a luxury expenditure? Trips to the cinema to see films were frequent. If everyone was so poor and scraping by paying their mortgage how were such industries able to survive, let alone be thriving as they were? There were people then who were profligate with money just as there are now. Just as there are plenty of people now who are careful with money as there were then. Difference is that those that want new things and to show off now can do so for everyone to see on SM. The ones who are quietly going about trying to earn an honest living to have that 'normal' life and raise a family aren't courting attention so you don't hear about them. But they exist and there's LOADS of them.

So let's take the ones where the mortgage came first. Do you assume the same is not true today? Except for most people it's rent, because they can't get a mortgage. They try and save to get a deposit together so they can get one but wages are going down in real terms while house prices rise above inflation. So by the time they've raised the amount they needed when they first started saving the amount they actually need to save has doubled so it feels like they're chasing an uncatchable target. Whereas back then the amounts required for a deposit were much lower, if any was needed at all because with secure jobs lenders were much happier to hand out 100% mortgages than they are today.

Then you take into account the fact the older generation either had free higher education along with a grant and the ability to sign on while a student, or it wasn't necessary for them to earn a decent living, could leave school get a well-paid secure job in a factory and that was them sorted. Nowadays it's almost standard to require a university education just to be considered for a low-paid entry level job which will hopefully lead at some point to a more well paid one unless you want to spend your entire life in minimum wage dead-end roles. And that isn't free anymore so they've got that to pay for along with all the associated costs. And if you're doing that you're reducing the time available to work to get the money to pay for it. So many have to resort to student loans which need paying back, and the level of debt they incur doing so affects their credit rating making it harder for them to obtain a mortgage. Not to mention the profligation of the buy-to-letters who can afford to gazump them on anything they can afford because as a business they can raise more capital. So then those youngsters then have to rent these houses off them for a bigger monthly outlay than a mortgage repayment would be so they've got somewhere to live, giving them less ability to save to get a deposit for a house. It's a vicious circle.

People rented TV etc because they couldn't afford to buy them. Its not rocket science.
What's Carnaby Street got to do with the real world ? Do you think people in fashionable Carnaby Street were financially at the same level as those working in shops, offices and factories around the UK ?
Yes , they went to the cinema and the theatre, shock horror. It was a treat.

Are mobile phones and netflix a treat, or a necessity?

Lenders were happy to give 100% mortgages back in the 50s and 60s were they ? That's news to me .

I suppose they didn't even have to go into their local bank and sit down and discuss it with the bank manager. No. That never happened. Its all a myth.
You write a lot but where do you get all of this nonsense from.
You ought to interview someone in their 80s and establish the facts.

 

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[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

Not sure why this is so difficult for the older generation to grasp. Had the same with my Dad who was convinced I was pissing my money away as he couldn't get his head round me having the job I have, and working the hours I do, and struggling. In the end I had to sit him down and literally go through my monthly budget and even then I'm not convinced he's grasped it.

Seems there's an issue with the modern equivalent of what they did back in the day being seeing as extravagant. Going down the local for a couple of pints was fine but the modern equivalent isn't. Popping down the video store to hire a video fine, Netflix or Sky subscription is blowing your money. Even bigger things, we went on a family holiday to the south coast every year. Self catering in a caravan so far from extravagant. The place still exists and a week there next summer is a couple of hundred quid more expensive than a week all inclusive in the Balearics but we all know which one would be viewed as more extravagant.

Nobody is saying that every minute of every day was fantastic for the boomers but if you look at the thread that was on here about when people would live if they could go back and choose there's a reason why people pick that generation.

This was shmmeee's post that seems to have upset some but the posts they are making to dispute it are perfect illustrations of the point he was making.

That's because what he said was complete bullshit.

 

[derbyskyblue]

On a lighter note I've just seen it would take 225 million years to walk 1 light year... How mads that... As you were

Duly noted for a random tiebreak question on quiz nights at the local...

 

[Grendel]

Not sure why this is so difficult for the older generation to grasp. Had the same with my Dad who was convinced I was pissing my money away as he couldn't get his head round me having the job I have, and working the hours I do, and struggling. In the end I had to sit him down and literally go through my monthly budget and even then I'm not convinced he's grasped it.

Seems there's an issue with the modern equivalent of what they did back in the day being seeing as extravagant. Going down the local for a couple of pints was fine but the modern equivalent isn't. Popping down the video store to hire a video fine, Netflix or Sky subscription is blowing your money. Even bigger things, we went on a family holiday to the south coast every year. Self catering in a caravan so far from extravagant. The place still exists and a week there next summer is a couple of hundred quid more expensive than a week all inclusive in the Balearics but we all know which one would be viewed as more extravagant.

Nobody is saying that every minute of every day was fantastic for the boomers but if you look at the thread that was on here about when people would live if they could go back and choose there's a reason why people pick that generation.

This was shmmeee's post that seems to have upset some but the posts they are making to dispute it are perfect illustrations of the point he was making.

How old are you? About 40?

 

[skybluetony176]

People rented TV etc because they couldn't afford to buy them. Its not rocket science.
What's Carnaby Street got to do with the real world ? Do you think people in fashionable Carnaby Street were financially at the same level as those working in shops, offices and factories around the UK ?
Lenders were happy to give 100% mortgages back in the 50s and 60s were they ?
I suppose they didn't even have to go into their local bank and sit down and discuss it with the bank manager. No. That never happened. Its all a myth.
You write a lot but where do you get all of this nonsense from.
You ought to interview someone in their 80s and establish the facts.

They couldn’t afford TV’s because in real terms they were many multiple times more expensive than they are now in relation to average earnings. I’ll pay less to replace my all singing all dancing flat screen TV than it cost me to buy my first ever flat screen which I thought was the dogs because it had a second scart socket. The cost of electrical items has dropped massively over the years.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

They couldn’t afford TV’s because in real terms they were many multiple times more expensive than they are now in relation to average earnings. I’ll pay less to replace my all singing all dancing flat screen TV than it cost me to buy my first ever flat screen which I thought was the dogs because it had a second scart socket. The cost of electrical items has dropped massively over the years.

So what's your point ?

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

People rented TV etc because they couldn't afford to buy them. Its not rocket science.
What's Carnaby Street got to do with the real world ? Do you think people in fashionable Carnaby Street were financially at the same level as those working in shops, offices and factories around the UK ?

I see you didn't mention about the job security, well paid low-skilled work, free education and grants.

So they were renting a TV as a luxury item. Just like people having netflix/Sky now. If people were working all hours god sends to keep a roof over their head why bother renting a TV? Surely there'd be no time to watch it? Extravagant waste of money. We keep on seeing things like iPhones brought up on this thread as luxuries but a lot of jobs now having a smartphone/laptop/decent broadband is not just desired but essential, as is a car for travel outside of London.

I used Carnaby St as a catch all for people that wanted fashionable clothes and would spend a large amount of money in the high street on their clothes. All relative to earnings.

As has been mentioned pubs were full every night, men especially would go for a drink after work, cinemas would be doing a roaring trade, the record industry was booming. How if no-one had any spare money?

It's this inability to see that things they did at the time where the equivalent luxuries of now. But they seem to look back on their expenditures as 'necessary' because you needed it to unwind from the stress of work. Whereas it seems apparently the modern generation have no need to do so despite the pressures and uncertainty for them probably being far greater than previous generations. But of course when they complain they're entitled snowflakes.

 

[skybluetony176]

So what's your point ?

People didn’t rent because they were poor, they rented because the outlay was so much. It’s more akin to car “ownership“ these days. We, like many if not most people these days don’t own our car. We change it every three years and are essentially leasing it. We’re not doing this because we’re poor, we’re doing this because it makes sound financial sense and keeps our car updated. Same as people used too with TV’s.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

I see you didn't mention about the job security, well paid low-skilled work, free education and grants.

So they were renting a TV as a luxury item. Just like people having netflix/Sky now. If people were working all hours god sends to keep a roof over their head why bother renting a TV? Surely there'd be no time to watch it? Extravagant waste of money. We keep on seeing things like iPhones brought up on this thread as luxuries but a lot of jobs now having a smartphone/laptop/decent broadband is not just desired but essential, as is a car for travel outside of London.

I used Carnaby St as a catch all for people that wanted fashionable clothes and would spend a large amount of money in the high street on their clothes. All relative to earnings.

As has been mentioned pubs were full every night, men especially would go for a drink after work, cinemas would be doing a roaring trade, the record industry was booming. How if no-one had any spare money?

It's this inability to see that things they did at the time where the equivalent luxuries of now. But they seem to look back on their expenditures as 'necessary' because you needed it to unwind from the stress of work. Whereas it seems apparently the modern generation have no need to do so despite the pressures and uncertainty for them probably being far greater than previous generations. But of course when they complain they're entitled snowflakes.

They complain that the previous generation had it easy. You obviously agree. So far you've failed to say anything that proves the point. Which generation that is, I'm not actually sure. Everything post WW2 I assume. That's two generations, my parents' generation and my generation.

I know about my generation more than you do unless you're my age and I don't think you are. I also have 3 kids in their 20s so I know how difficult it is for them .

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

People didn’t rent because they were poor, they rented because the outlay was so much. It’s more akin to car “ownership“ these days. We, like many if not most people these days don’t own our car. We change it every three years and are essentially leasing it. We’re not doing this because we’re poor, we’re doing this because it makes sound financial sense and keeps our car updated. Same as people used too with TV’s.

The option for car leasing didn't really exist in the form it does today. Most people had to buy a car and it was unusual for any family to have more than one car because of the costs involved. They had no option but to keep that car until they fell apart, literally. Rust buckets were everywhere.
Leasing a car and changing it every 3 years is far easier. Good idea I think and dead easy.


If people rented property because they simply couldn't afford to buy, which is what you're saying , I assume, then what does that tell you about their financial position? No different to today surely .

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Yes , they went to the cinema and the theatre, shock horror. It was a treat.

Are mobile phones and netflix a treat, or a necessity?

Lenders were happy to give 100% mortgages back in the 50s and 60s were they ? That's news to me .

I suppose they didn't even have to go into their local bank and sit down and discuss it with the bank manager. No. That never happened. Its all a myth.
You write a lot but where do you get all of this nonsense from.
You ought to interview someone in their 80s and establish the facts.

But I thought there was no money available for treats? Just like someone now deciding to order a takeaway or go out for a coffee whereas before they'd go for a beer at the pub. Smoking was commonplace.

Mobile phones are pretty much a necessity nowadays. Whether some people need an all-bells-and-whistles iPhone over a cheaper model - debatable. But just like the older generation would get the most expensive and advanced TV they could afford, be it either renting or outright.

I didn't say lenders were happy to give 100% mortgages or they were commonplace. I said they were more likely to be given. This is fact.

Don't see what sitting down with a bank manager has to do with it. If anything it could have been better for them. A bank manager might have decided to give someone the benefit of the doubt over whether to offer a longer mortgage or lend a bit more because the person in front of them seemed genuine, honest and talked rationally and sensibly about their commitments and how to pay for it even if it meant going without some things to do so. Nowadays it's all fed into a computer and that's that. Doesn't matter what type of person you are or if you'd be willing to make sacrifices to pay it off. If computer says no, it ain't happening.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

But I thought there was no money available for treats? Just like someone now deciding to order a takeaway or go out for a coffee whereas before they'd go for a beer at the pub. Smoking was commonplace.

Mobile phones are pretty much a necessity nowadays. Whether some people need an all-bells-and-whistles iPhone over a cheaper model - debatable. But just like the older generation would get the most expensive and advanced TV they could afford, be it either renting or outright.

I didn't say lenders were happy to give 100% mortgages or they were commonplace. I said they were more likely to be given. This is fact.

Don't see what sitting down with a bank manager has to do with it. If anything it could have been better for them. A bank manager might have decided to give someone the benefit of the doubt over whether to offer a longer mortgage or lend a bit more because the person in front of them seemed genuine, honest and talked rationally and sensibly about their commitments and how to pay for it even if it meant going without some things to do so. Nowadays it's all fed into a computer and that's that. Doesn't matter what type of person you are or if you'd be willing to make sacrifices to pay it off. If computer says no, it ain't happening.

100% mortgages ?
Who said there was no money for going out ? You're contradicting yourself because surely life in the 1950s and 60s was an absolute piece of piss compared to today. That's the whole point of the discussion isn't it ?

They were loaded compared to today's poor Costa coffee generation. They could even afford to use the phone box at the end of the road.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

100% mortgages ?
Who said there was no money for going out ? You're contradicting yourself because surely life in the 1950s and 60s was an absolute piece of piss compared to today. That's the whole point of the discussion isn't it ? They were loaded compared to today's poor Costa coffee generation.

It's funny how many generalisations you come up with about my generation that don't apply to me

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

It's funny how many generalisations you come up with about my generation that don't apply to me

Your generation ? I think you're getting too old .
Why do you stay in Brighton if you want a mortgage and you have to rent there?
Brighton is the playground of Londoners . Its overpriced and hasn't even got a proper beach.
Move away, find a teaching job elsewhere where property is affordable rather than bang on that it's too expensive. Its always been expensive. There's a national teaching shortage everywhere and has been forever.
I moved out of London towards the end of the 1980s because I wanted a house and couldn't afford one. Best thing I ever did.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Why do you stay in Brighton if you want a mortgage and you have to rent there?

Brighton's so 2014 for him.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Your generation ? I think you're getting too old .
Why do you stay in Brighton if you want a mortgage and you have to rent there?
Brighton is the playground of Londoners . Its overpriced and hadn't even got a proper beach.
Move away, find a teaching job elsewhere where property is affordable rather than plead it's too expensive. There's a national teaching shortage everywhere and has been forever.
I moved out of London towards the end of the 1980s because I wanted a house and couldn't afford one. Best thing I ever did.

I live in the Midlands not Brighton, would like to live there again though. We've owned our house here for over a year now.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

Brighton's so 2014 for him.

What went on in 2014?

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

I live in the Midlands not Brighton, would like to live there again though. We've owned our house here for over a year now.

Haha. Good for you. You won't go back, the pull of home is too great Get a car instead. You can't go to school on a bus. Too many books to carry unless you're a goody goody and do all the marking on the premises.

 

[Grendel]

100% mortgages ?
Who said there was no money for going out ? You're contradicting yourself because surely life in the 1950s and 60s was an absolute piece of piss compared to today. That's the whole point of the discussion isn't it ?

They were loaded compared to today's poor Costa coffee generation. They could even afford to use the phone box at the end of the road.

Went abroad every year I’d imagine. Flights were so cheap.

 

[Grendel]

Brighton's so 2014 for him.

he’s also one of the privileged 7% education wise. According to some of his compatriots that gives him a huge advantage

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

Went abroad every year I’d imagine. Flights were so cheap.

Yes, Coventry fortnight everyone went BOAC to the Isle of Wight. Or was it Freddie Laker ?
Is there still a Coventry fortnight ?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

he’s also one of the privileged 7% education wise. According to some of his compatriots that gives him a huge advantage

Overlooking that you gave your own the same advantage?

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Haha. Good for you. You won't go back, the pull of home is too great Get a car instead. You can't go to school on a bus. Too many books to carry unless you're a goody goody and do all the marking on the premises.

Meh, it's a personal choice.

 

[Grendel]

Overlooking that you gave your own the same advantage?

No mine aren’t complaining and it’s not me that moans about the advantages that gives you

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

They complain that the previous generation had it easy. You obviously agree. So far you've failed to say anything that proves the point. Which generation that is, I'm not actually sure. Everything post WW2 I assume. That's two generations, my parents' generation and my generation.

I know about my generation more than you do unless you're my age and I don't think you are. I also have 3 kids in their 20s so I know how difficult it is for them .

I'm mainly talking about my grandparents generation, who would've been young during the war.

As has been said quite a few times and ignored by you is that we're not saying they had it EASY. It's they had it EASIER. Of course there were times it was tough for them early on in life with the war, post war with rationing still in place and without many of the mod-cons we have now, but they also had a lot of times after that as they reached adulthood where things were prosperous and could have luxuries equivalent to today I and those younger than me could only dream of. But they refuse to acknowledge this and just complain about how hard they had it while all the current generation have it given to them on a plate. THAT is what grinds my gears. Not that they were fortunate enough to have had it (fair play to them), but their inability to acknowledge it. And to talk to some of them you'd think they'd stormed the Normandy beaches themselves even though they were barely out of nappies.

As for the the generation after that (my parents and from the sound of it your generation) weren't going without half as much as they reckon. They just don't equate their luxuries and treats as such. My parents went on way more holidays than I do. They replaced the car far more often than I ever have. They'd regularly be in the pub drinking and smoking, had loads of records and regularly went to gigs/cinema. Yet you'd think there were having to beg for food to get by. There's loads of stuff that weren't necessary that they could've done without. But in their heads no they couldn't - they were necessary to cope with life. Just like my generation have started doing that with the 'remember when we only had an anologue TV with 4/5 channels. Having to rent videos and buy cassettes/CD's to listen to music rather than just download it. Landlines. Computers that could barely hold a text document in the memory, took ages to load up and internet that meant you couldn't use the phone and took about 10 minutes to load a page? Kids these days have it so much easier" These are all luxuries to previous generations but they consider an everyday part of life.

The current generation just looking to set out on that path I'd hate to be part of that as it would feel completely unattainable. Yet I bet these youngsters who will end up being just like you saying to the generations that follow them "you kids don't know how easy you've got it compared to us. We had to go without all the time" because all the stuff you are calling luxuries they won't see as such.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

No mine aren’t complaining

I didn't think pointing out the indisputable was a complaint as much as a statement of fact

 

[Grendel]

I didn't think pointing out the indisputable was a complaint as much as a statement of fact

Again no it’s an opinion

 

[Grendel]

I'm mainly talking about my grandparents generation, who would've been young during the war.

As has been said quite a few times and ignored by you is that we're not saying they had it EASY. It's they had it EASIER. Of course there were times it was tough for them early on in life with the war, post war with rationing still in place and without many of the mod-cons we have now, but they also had a lot of times after that as they reached adulthood where things were prosperous and could have luxuries equivalent to today I and those younger than me could only dream of. But they refuse to acknowledge this and just complain about how hard they had it while all the current generation have it given to them on a plate. THAT is what grinds my gears. Not that they were fortunate enough to have had it (fair play to them), but their inability to acknowledge it. And to talk to some of them you'd think they'd stormed the Normandy beaches themselves even though they were barely out of nappies.

As for the the generation after that (my parents and from the sound of it your generation) weren't going without half as much as they reckon. They just don't equate their luxuries and treats as such. My parents went on way more holidays than I do. They replaced the car far more often than I ever have. They'd regularly be in the pub drinking and smoking, had loads of records and regularly went to gigs/cinema. Yet you'd think there were having to beg for food to get by. There's loads of stuff that weren't necessary that they could've done without. But in their heads no they couldn't - they were necessary to cope with life. Just like my generation have started doing that with the 'remember when we only had an anologue TV with 4/5 channels. Having to rent videos and buy cassettes/CD's to listen to music rather than just download it. Landlines. Computers that could barely hold a text document in the memory, took ages to load up and internet that meant you couldn't use the phone and took about 10 minutes to load a page? Kids these days have it so much easier" These are all luxuries to previous generations but they consider an everyday part of life.

The current generation just looking to set out on that path I'd hate to be part of that as it would feel completely unattainable. Yet I bet these youngsters who will end up being just like you saying to the generations that follow them "you kids don't know how easy you've got it compared to us. We had to go without all the time" because all the stuff you are calling luxuries they won't see as such.

Id imagine you are about the same age as the Coventrian

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

100% mortgages ?
Who said there was no money for going out ? You're contradicting yourself because surely life in the 1950s and 60s was an absolute piece of piss compared to today. That's the whole point of the discussion isn't it ?

They were loaded compared to today's poor Costa coffee generation. They could even afford to use the phone box at the end of the road.

Well if you could afford to go out why didn't you just not go out and use that money to get the more important things you didn't have instead of wasting it? That's your equivalent of a Costa coffee and a pizza. You're just refusing to acknowledge it as such.

So they could afford the phone box. That's because that's how far technology had got at the time. That'd be like in the future when everyone's got a virtual interface embedded in their brain saying "they could even afford to have a mobile phone". It's all relative.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Again no it’s an opinion

Soaring house prices in recent decades combined with the removal of generous mortgages since 2008 are facts, as is the sharp increase in renting coupled with sharp decrease in home ownership for a particular age group.

 

[Deleted member 5849]

No mine aren’t complaining and it’s not me that moans about the advantages that gives you

I wouldn't be complaining if you were helping my buy a place

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Went abroad every year I’d imagine. Flights were so cheap.

But nowadays a package holiday abroad is often cheaper than the equivalent time spent here. And despite the expense my grandparents did go to Spain every few years. My last trip abroad was over 10 years ago. My last proper holiday of any kind was 6 years ago on the South coast for four days with a few overnight stays as a weekend away since.

 

[Alan Dugdales Moustache]

I'm mainly talking about my grandparents generation, who would've been young during the war.

As has been said quite a few times and ignored by you is that we're not saying they had it EASY. It's they had it EASIER. Of course there were times it was tough for them early on in life with the war, post war with rationing still in place and without many of the mod-cons we have now, but they also had a lot of times after that as they reached adulthood where things were prosperous and could have luxuries equivalent to today I and those younger than me could only dream of. But they refuse to acknowledge this and just complain about how hard they had it while all the current generation have it given to them on a plate. THAT is what grinds my gears. Not that they were fortunate enough to have had it (fair play to them), but their inability to acknowledge it. And to talk to some of them you'd think they'd stormed the Normandy beaches themselves even though they were barely out of nappies.

As for the the generation after that (my parents and from the sound of it your generation) weren't going without half as much as they reckon. They just don't equate their luxuries and treats as such. My parents went on way more holidays than I do. They replaced the car far more often than I ever have. They'd regularly be in the pub drinking and smoking, had loads of records and regularly went to gigs/cinema. Yet you'd think there were having to beg for food to get by. There's loads of stuff that weren't necessary that they could've done without. But in their heads no they couldn't - they were necessary to cope with life. Just like my generation have started doing that with the 'remember when we only had an anologue TV with 4/5 channels. Having to rent videos and buy cassettes/CD's to listen to music rather than just download it. Landlines. Computers that could barely hold a text document in the memory, took ages to load up and internet that meant you couldn't use the phone and took about 10 minutes to load a page? Kids these days have it so much easier" These are all luxuries to previous generations but they consider an everyday part of life.

The current generation just looking to set out on that path I'd hate to be part of that as it would feel completely unattainable. Yet I bet these youngsters who will end up being just like you saying to the generations that follow them "you kids don't know how easy you've got it compared to us. We had to go without all the time" because all the stuff you are calling luxuries they won't see as such.

I'm mainly talking about my grandparents generation, who would've been young during the war.

As has been said quite a few times and ignored by you is that we're not saying they had it EASY. It's they had it EASIER. Of course there were times it was tough for them early on in life with the war, post war with rationing still in place and without many of the mod-cons we have now, but they also had a lot of times after that as they reached adulthood where things were prosperous and could have luxuries equivalent to today I and those younger than me could only dream of. But they refuse to acknowledge this and just complain about how hard they had it while all the current generation have it given to them on a plate. THAT is what grinds my gears. Not that they were fortunate enough to have had it (fair play to them), but their inability to acknowledge it. And to talk to some of them you'd think they'd stormed the Normandy beaches themselves even though they were barely out of nappies.

As for the the generation after that (my parents and from the sound of it your generation) weren't going without half as much as they reckon. They just don't equate their luxuries and treats as such. My parents went on way more holidays than I do. They replaced the car far more often than I ever have. They'd regularly be in the pub drinking and smoking, had loads of records and regularly went to gigs/cinema. Yet you'd think there were having to beg for food to get by. There's loads of stuff that weren't necessary that they could've done without. But in their heads no they couldn't - they were necessary to cope with life. Just like my generation have started doing that with the 'remember when we only had an anologue TV with 4/5 channels. Having to rent videos and buy cassettes/CD's to listen to music rather than just download it. Landlines. Computers that could barely hold a text document in the memory, took ages to load up and internet that meant you couldn't use the phone and took about 10 minutes to load a page? Kids these days have it so much easier" These are all luxuries to previous generations but they consider an everyday part of life.

The current generation just looking to set out on that path I'd hate to be part of that as it would feel completely unattainable. Yet I bet these youngsters who will end up being just like you saying to the generations that follow them "you kids don't know how easy you've got it compared to us. We had to go without all the time" because all the stuff you are calling luxuries they won't see as such.

I like your last paragraph. I think the overwhelming change has been communication.
I think the younger generation have, to some extent, been marginalised by the very technological advances that should be beneficial to them more than any other generation.
I remember a series on TV a few years ago, probably around 2012. It was a kind of Bad lads army programme, where some teenagers who had been in and out of custody were sent back to a kind of 1960s era, where they sacrificed all modern technology and lived the way it was then.
At the end of this experiment, they nearly all said they wanted to stay, they didn't want to go back. They liked the fact they weren't slaves to their phones of felt pressure to be this or do that. They were visibly upset and disorientated.
I felt really sorry for them. Life undoubtedly is more complicated now than it was .

 

[Ring Of Steel]

I like your last paragraph. I think the overwhelming change has been communication.
I think the younger generation have, to some extent, been marginalised by the very technological advances that should be beneficial to them more than any other generation.
I remember a series on TV a few years ago, probably around 2012. It was a kind of Bad lads army programme, where some teenagers who had been in and out of custody were sent back to a kind of 1960s era, where they sacrificed all modern technology and lived the way it was then.
At the end of this experiment, they nearly all said they wanted to stay, they didn't want to go back. They liked the fact they weren't slaves to their phones of felt pressure to be this or do that. They were visibly upset and disorientated.
I felt really sorry for them. Life undoubtedly is more complicated now than it was .

Haha- if you’re talking about the same programme then that is one of my favourite programmes ever, it was called Lads Army and it was 2002 not 2012, although there were some follow ups. Random fact: I loved it so much I ended up becoming friends with several of the people on it as well as 2 of the officers Fantastic programme. Only thing I’d note is that there were big class divides in there too- all the ones who wanted to stay had had very few opportunities in life, the ones who’d been to private school/ had good families etc were generally (but not exclusively) the ones who couldn’t hack it and/or got booted off. Don’t know how that interacts with the debate you’re having but the impact of class was stark. And seeing as apparently we’re becoming one big middle class nowadays, maybe that makes a difference, who knows.

The full programme is on YouTube btw

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

I like your last paragraph. I think the overwhelming change has been communication.
I think the younger generation have, to some extent, been marginalised by the very technological advances that should be beneficial to them more than any other generation.
I remember a series on TV a few years ago, probably around 2012. It was a kind of Bad lads army programme, where some teenagers who had been in and out of custody were sent back to a kind of 1960s era, where they sacrificed all modern technology and lived the way it was then.
At the end of this experiment, they nearly all said they wanted to stay, they didn't want to go back. They liked the fact they weren't slaves to their phones of felt pressure to be this or do that. They were visibly upset and disorientated.
I felt really sorry for them. Life undoubtedly is more complicated now than it was .

This I agree with. Unfortunately in this age it has come to a point where even if you want to go without it it's virtually impossible if you want to have a chance with anything. I know i should turn the laptop off more often but I turn it on cos I need to do stuff on it and end up coming on here to break it up. I actually feel far more relaxed just going outside for a walk or a bit of exercise. I hate phones and always have, but I have to have one in case someone needs to discuss something or inform me of something. I long for the days when I could just walk to work rather than sit in traffic etc because I need to go somewhere.

I'd love to go back to that less technological, slower pace of life. But it's not an option.