Living in our changing times . . . .

[Bucky]

Warning  . . . this might be a tad bit long.   

I am a child of the 50's.    Back in, what some would say, the good 'ole days.

It amazes me all the changes that have taken place in my short life time.  How technology has exploded in bringing us all kinds of things - some good, some - not so good.

I remember growing up when we had party lines - where you "shared" a phone line with several different people (neighbors) and you had to wait your turn to access the phone. 

When you received a call - and EVERYONE had a land line - you had no idea who was on the other end of the phone as there was no caller ID to give you a heads up on who was calling.  Nothing flashed across your TV telling you who was calling.

When you dialed someone . . . you actually did that . . . dialed them, no hitting a re-dial button or speed dial button.  Most phones had the rotary dial.  Also, most phones were either a desk top phone, or one hanging on the wall with a l-o-n-g extension cord from the receiver to the phone.  Portable phones hadn't been invented yet.

Our current cell phones have had quite the transformation in recent years too.  I can't EVEN begin to compare them as I don't even know what some of them are!!     I can say, I do miss my flip phone - at least I didn't have to "lock" my phone keyboard when I put it in my purse or pocket for fear it will dial some random number to who-knows-where. 

I have the lowest end cell phone there is . . . the pay-as-you-go Tracfone.  It's a pain to have to roam around the house (literally) to find a strong enough signal to send text messages - but, it works for us.  We have no outrageous phone plans we are locked into and no monthly fees for this phone.  We also aren't connected to the hip with these phones like so many are today.  We do not live and breathe according to our cell phone.  Believe it or not, there are many days I don't even turn it on . . . gasp!!  We still have a land line - if they can't get ahold of me on the cell, call the land line.

With all these "smart" phones and whatever else is the newest and greatest gadget on the market - yes, they can do a wide variety of things, but . . . . (and there's always a but, isn't there?) . . . all these phones and gadgets and all the apps that everyone downloads are keeping track of you - literally!  It appears to me, that by using these devises you are giving up your sense of privacy.  (I can probably bet 75% or more don't even read the privacy part of the agreements, of what the company shares information about you, before signing on the dotted line.)

Every time you "like" or "share" something on Facebook - it keeps track of you.  Every time you tweet something on Twitter, it keeps track of you.  You can even go to the stores now without a receipt and they can look it up in their system - they keep track of you and your purchases.

Every time you swipe a credit card or store card - they keep track of you.  Every deposit or withdrawal you make at the bank - they keep track of you.  Every time you program a destination into the GPS - it keeps track of you.

So, you see . . . things aren't as "private" as one would think.  Many times, we offer this information without even thinking twice.

In the same sense,  look how much more knowledgeable everyone is due to the worldwide web.  You can sit in the comforts of your own home and at any time of the day or night go online and "surf" to find all kinds of information - right at your finger tips.  Go shopping, look up information, play games, check current events, watch shows, check weather conditions in many different locations, keep in contact with friends and relatives thousands of miles apart,  etc. - the list is endless.  In the same token, if you post anything on the worldwide web . . . guess what?, it's out there for the whole world to see.  So, if you don't want your business known to everybody, be mindful of what information - personal or otherwise - that you post. 

Just because you read it on the internet - does NOT make it the gospel truth - keep that in mind too.  Unfortunately, there are scammers, fictitious companies and people all trying to dupe you into giving them information that should not be in their hands.  On the internet, a person can be anybody they want to be - they can lure us in, hook, line and sinker and be a scam. If it sounds too good to be true . . go with your gut, and DON'T click, open, correspond, or send them anything!! 

Don't try everything you read online - especially, medicines or supplements - some, can do more harm than good.  Always check with your doctors before starting any new OTC medicines or supplements.

Yep, we living in changing times . . . it's opened a lot of doors to us, but it also can bring unwanted consequences.  Be careful!!

Bucky

[CMNK12]

All I can say is Amen!    CK

[Pisces24]

A few years back I got to explain the process of washing clothes with a wringer washer and tubs to a younger gal at work complaining that her mother made her do the wash. Obviously she is not complaining anymore?

Remember things getting stuck in the wringer and how and where to hang the clothes out on the line? Also not to let the pet out if you had low hanging clothes? ROFL
But I guess it beat using a flat rock. 

[irish]

At the age of  70 I have come to the conclusion that the more things we have to make our life easier, the more complicated our life becomes. All these "things" take so much time and energy to learn to use and keep track of.

Sometimes I wonder how it would feel to walk in the house and have the 1960s back. Can you imagine all the free time we would have. No cleaning up the computer, charging the phones, keeping track of all the cords, scanning all the channels and finding nothing good enough to watch. Can you remember what it was like to cook a meal with the stove, period!!!! Got to admit I would miss the microwave though.

Also, all these fancy coffee pots that are out now, years ago we put the pot on the stove with the water and grounds and cooked our coffee the old fashioned way. Also, I would not miss the problems we have these days getting rid of all the outdated and broken electronic equipment.  Especially when we have to pay someone to take it!! IRish

[Bucky]

Got to admit I would miss the microwave though.

I've often wondered if the use of microwaves - which every household now seems to own - has caused more cancers since it's inception? 

I know I always stand back from it and never right in front of it when it's on.

Sometimes I wonder how it would feel to walk in the house and have the 1960s back.

There are two "inventions" that I'm glad they have now that they didn't have in the 50's/60's is the garage door opener (it used to be us kids!), and the TV remote (again, it used to be us kids that had to get up and change the channel). 

Bucky

[slccom]

I used to have a great joke with our second car: I would say, "It is two-toned. The front half is brown and the back half is gold."

When I was teaching in the New Millennium, I had to explain it. I left every class period feeling ten years older.
Sharon

[MaryBee7]

Moving too fast for me.  The technology addiction really irks me.  Texting is...evasive.  Don't we want to hear another person's voice via phone anymore?  Oh, I forgot... it takes too long to have one of those kinds of conversations.

News channels:  who can watch them without wanting to drive off a cliff? 

I stay on the old movie channels with movies that actually have dialogue and no assault rifles 

Being female especially, try shopping for clothes as you get older.  What you need is hidden in the back of the store.  Everything is geared toward the youngsters, one of my Gram's favorite words!

I take solitude in a cemetery right behind my house.  My dogs and I walk there and it's the most peaceful place.  Enjoy reading the stones -- Scripture, variety of names, special phrases, photos.  Some incredibly fancy ones now...are they laser embossed?  Amazing.

Simple pleasures are the best. 

[Joe S.]

Beatniks were followed by Hippies were followed by the Me generation followed by I don't know anymore. It seems that technology and the world at large are moving faster and faster. I have time on my hands now compared to all the activities I used to do. I would like to say it is just growing old but I remember that my grandparents did not slow down until they were much older. While others seemed to enjoy the summer of love, I was kept busy working on yards and home repairs when not repairing radios, TV's and amplifiers or going to school. I did take some time off on summer weekends to Canoe, dive, and build antenna arrays to DX TV stations from Regina to Chicago to St. Louis. A hobby that no one else seemed to enjoy. Yes I was a strange teen with few social skills. I had an invite to Woodstock from friends but chose not to go. Rock'n Roll, and sex sounded like fun but drugs did not. As my FIL once said, "Don't make vast plans with half vast ideas".

[quietdynamics]

Yep, we living in changing times . . . it's opened a lot of doors to us, but it also can bring unwanted consequences.  Be careful!!
Bucky

Bucky...so right. Often personal information is sold to marketers, which is how some site generate revenue. Just a simple search on the net...and then targeted spam.
Our daily lives, transactions, real life and net, etc. can turn us into a personal freedom of information fountains.

Search engines are now more like infomercials, complete with medical logos/symbols and photos of models/actors dressed as Drs. (I will click on 'contact', to see where company..."experts" are located...no real address...hit the back button. And even then search the company,etc.)

Ever notice when your electricity goes out for a few hours how much you get done at home....
...or do you suffer withdrawal, anxiety symptoms, feel empty, because the tube and computer are off?

Ever tally up the cost of all these conveniences...per year? And with the purchasing power of money going down or prices going up...however you want to look at it...what price convenience.

Anybody remember the George Carlin bit on "Stuff"..he was good on social humor.

Always check with your doctors before starting any new OTC medicines or supplements.
Absolutely...and remember those "experts" touting their wares on TV/net....are targeting an audience that is ...well and wants to prevent disease (?) ... all the books have disclaimers to check with your Dr. first. Of course they do feed out those who are desperate for help. Vitamins and supplements are not FDA monitored, unless they make a medical claim...in which case their product will be impounded upon import or distribution if red flags go off.  Read labels and info is usually ambiguous. If there was a quick fix...we would all know about it.

[susanep]

What a refreshing thread this is. It is the truth. I think back as a little girl when my parents had me go out back to draw a bucket of water. Heck, I thought it was fun. I had already by that time lived in Chicago with no such thing.

Dad was just trying to finish a house that he was trying to buy for us that didn't have the bathroom installed yet. His work depended on the weather, so we ended back in Chicago.

I mostly grew up there, but that is where I remember my mother ironing while watching I Love Lucy. I always loved ironing after that. My great nieces today don't know what an iron is.

Back then we didn't have to worry about having the money to join any fitness clubs. I still remember a phone number we had that many years ago in the city, and it didn't start with a number.

My dad's salary wasn't much, but those 5 cent cokes were real nice. In the north we always seemed to have food on the table which included a meat too.

In the south there was always plenty of food with a big garden of fresh vegetables, chickens, beef, churned butter, fresh milk , and(no hormones added).

No computers then, but up north mom smiled as she bought us kids a set of those books by the salesman passing by. We all loved reading.

At our house we got the Christmas catalogs to look at, and mom would tell us we could circle 3 things we most wanted. Us kids always had so much fun during the winter playing the board games.

In the summers we were too busy with our friends always outside having fun, and no one mentioned we needed to get some exercise.

When we were doing well, on Fridays, dad drove our family to the McDonald's in Chicago for a meal for everyone which was the regular hamburger, regular fries, and regular coke. There was no up-sizing anything. lol.....

At 17 it never crossed my mind about a car in our family for anyone but my dad. Dad did buy me a small black and white tv for my bedroom though since I  was the oldest.

I came back tonight from my dad's (who is 80), and seen my great niece's new video recording phone she got for her birthday, and she turned 9.

Yes, the good ole days.

susanep

[quietdynamics]

susanep...great post.

I gave my 4yr. old granddaughter a  paint kit for the holiday. Markers, watercolors, and paint jars, etc....3 months later she is still at it and I bought her a new large paper pad...the other 'expensive techno' gifts given by others lay unsought after.
I go to replace the paper towels...and give her the empty tube,  plastic coffee can lid to use for tracing circles...all up to her imagination. I love her creativity, independence and problem solving abilities. She takes a nap and accepts limitation/boundaries. 

Last night we went on my laptop looking at frogs from the rainforest...such wonderful colors. Sometimes National Geo, kids site.

I am stocking for her Easter Basket, Jar of Bubbles, jacks, color by number book, jump rope and then some better chocolate and some "really cool" decorated cookies.

I raised my kids without TV for 10 year. We did have one (someone decided my kids where deprived...lol) that I used for Friday movie night. Friday we would stop at the library in the winter and they could pick movies...I put a blanket down and we would have a picnic in the living room. Got them memberships at the Lake, the indoor skate rink, the YMCA, and took them to any ethnic or country fair I could find.  Hikes, bikes and balls... 

Funny thing was the kids who had the "bells and whistles" hung out with us...lol
And my own kids now just 20 and 24 this month talk about "the things we did", even their friends remember.

[odie]

I raised my kids without TV for 10 year. We did have one (someone decided my kids where deprived...lol) that I used for Friday movie night. Friday we would stop at the library in the winter and they could pick movies...I put a blanket down and we would have a picnic in the living room. Got them memberships at the Lake, the indoor skate rink, the YMCA, and took them to any ethnic or country fair I could find.  Hikes, bikes and balls... 

Sounds like a fun time.

I started getting nostalgic about 15 years ago for a simpler world without gadgets and to this day only use a computer.  It's a must for our business website without which we wouldn't be in business.  It's a love/hate relationship.  And of course the wealth of knowledge the internet provides helped me refine my search for what ultimately led to the SS diagnosis.

It's a scary world when you can google your own address and see the street view that everyone else in the world can see.  You can't hide anywhere.  Too many prying eyes.  If you drive over the speed limit in some states there are cameras that take your picture and surprise you with a ticket showing you driving.

[quiger]

This is definitely an interesting thread. I, too, remember "back in the day".

So much history has been made during our generation. Sometimes I am still in awe of all that we have seen.

quiger

[Bucky]

Today, while I was at the store waiting in line to check out, I got to thinking how much "scanners" have changed our lives.  In the "olden days", there were price stickers on each item that identified the item and department and the cashier had to manually ring up the item you bought.  Now, with a mere swipe of the item across a scanner window it will give the price.

Can you imagine how long it would take to manually price each and every item in one of those mega super stores we have now?  Back in the day, you had smaller stores like Woolworth's, and Ben Franklin stores - not these huge, football field size mega stores like they do now.

Another thing I thought about was credit cards.  It use to be a manual transaction, not just a swipe of a card. You use to put the credit card in a manual credit card imprinter, along with a carbonless sales slip paper and manually slide the bar across the credit card to make an imprint of your credit card to record your credit card purchase, filling in the dollar amount and any dept. codes and/or descriptions manually.  I know my company still has one of these machines on hand "just in case" the phone system or computers are down so we can still accept credit cards at our place of business.

It's amazing how much things can change in a short amount of time.  Modern technology keeps advancing day by day.

Although, some days, I long for the days gone by.  For example:  when someone was flying - you could go with them to the gate to see them off or welcome them home.  Those days are gone.  You could carry a bottle of water with you through security - not any more, those days are gone too.  You didn't have to take your shoes off, or have wands scan your body like you do now.  Now, granted . . some of these changes are a direct result of mankind's doing - sad . . . very sad.  Now, the airlines nickel and dime you to death for every little thing - like checked luggage, which use to be free.  Snacks and meals in flight, even if it was a short flight, use to be free.  Want a blanket to use while in flight?  Sure . . . for a fee.  All the things that use to be included in the price are now individual, extra fees.   

How about the full service gas stations where an attendant came out and not only pumped your gas for you, but they washed your windshield and checked your oil every time at no extra charge.  When I was growing up most, if not all, of the gas stations had attached garages on them where they could pull your car in and check things out for you - change tires, put in a new battery, etc.  Very few, if any of those kind exist any more.

Yep, I like Mayberry R.F.D. - an era gone by.   

Bucky

[quietdynamics]

LOL...Bucky,
Taking me back down memory lane...skipping down the street in NYC with my brother and my Mom..Wow..what a treat when she would take us into  Woolworth's for a treat and you could pick a balloon, the waitress at the sit-down counter would break it and inside it would tell you how much to pay.

Of course in the same area later I remember the race riots in the late 60's..everyone was told to get off the streets. Hiding under the desk in school during the Cuban missile crisis. So not everything was so wonderful. I remember the students taking over parts of Columbia University where my Mother worked, demonstrating against the Vietnam war, threats of bombs, and being little wondering if my mother would be hurt or worse.

I got an offer from insurance in the mail to have my meds mailed to my home...I do go to a pharmacy that has a drive-thru for those times when walking is not so great, but I can drive. I did not opt for the mail service. I enjoy saying hello to these people who know my name and I do not want the store to lose business. I have asked the pharmacist for names of Drs.  I can do without this added convenience, and in a pinch they do have delivery.
I did not see a price discount for the mail service; so I am thinking higher profit for the supplier, less employees, less benefits....another person out of a job.