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“Today Vs The Good Old Days”: 23 Things That Changed And You Decide – For Better Or For Worse
From handwritten letters to text messages and from landlines to smartphones, a lot of things have changed. Some think things change for the better, however, others think they change for the worse. Whether you're nostalgic for slower days or thriving in the modern digital world, you can vote on 23 drastic changes over the years that affected us all. Share whether you would prefer the way things used to be or as they are now. Heads up: Some of these choices are hard! 👀
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#1
Do you prefer the smell and feel of a paperback book to the convenience of carrying thousands of books on a Kindle and bringing them anywhere you want?
Peeka_Mimi 5 months ago
When you start getting older you appreciate the ability to enlarge the font and the backlight.
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#2
Would you prefer living your life with social media and global access at your fingertips or without it?
Grape Walls of Ire 5 months ago
I read "global access" to mean the internet. I'm not giving that up just to avoid social media.
#3
Do you prefer browsing through a store, feeling fabrics and trying them on, or online shopping with endless options and fast shipping?
Olive Moon 5 months ago
Unfortunately, shopping in store is becoming more difficult as stores are disappearing :(
#4
Would you prefer to have a private handwritten journal or document your thoughts in the notes app?
#5
Writing a handwritten birthday card or sending a text to wish someone a happy birthday?
StrangeOne 5 months ago (edited)
I like making cards for people. It's more personable and appreciated. I find texts are fair-weathered and passive. But can appreciate a text as someone has thought about it enough to care to reach out.
#6
Would you prefer long phone calls or quick & convenient texting anytime?
StrangeOne 5 months ago
Depends on who it is. I love longer calls with my boyfriend. I would like more quick texts from others.
#7
Reading a thick Sunday newspaper over breakfast or catching up on headlines through notifications?
#8
Having close relationships with neighbours or not even knowing their names?
StrangeOne 5 months ago
I used to know our neighbours. I miss hanging out with people next door. But not all of them made good friends.
#9
Waiting for the new episode to air each week on TV or binge-watching the whole season in one sitting?
StrangeOne 5 months ago
There was something about the anticipation of waiting and then talking about the episodes with your friends at school. The episodes became immortalized and memorable. I've binged watch shows and I gotta say, I felt exhausted and near nauseated once I got to the later seasons. A couple of episodes a day I can do. But then I have to take a break and move on to something else. I follow a youtuber that does rewatches who uploads an episode once a week, whenever she's up to it. It's nice. Then I can watch other stuff in between.
#10
Going in line for a midnight movie premiere or watching a brand-new release from your couch in pajamas?
Grape Walls of Ire 5 months ago
If I went to a midnight movie at my age, I'd fall asleep waiting in line.
#11
Playing board games with your friends (without anyone looking at their phones) or playing online games with them?
#12
Watching general knowledge competitions on TV or streaming a new show on Netflix?
#13
The simple, unbreakable flip phone or the all-in-one, newly released power smartphone?
StrangeOne 5 months ago
Pros and cons for each ones. Personally, I need to a smartphone just to find out what time the bus comes, and many other things. But I would love to have a less fragile phone.
#14
Listening to the radio and discovering new music by surprise vs algorithm-perfect playlists based on your taste?
#15
Owning shelves of CDs, vinyl, or books vs. having unlimited access to music and books but nothing physical to show for it?
Grape Walls of Ire 5 months ago
I've been collecting LPs and CDs for over 40 years. I'm not stopping now!
#16
Doing research at the library vs. Googling anything or asking ChatGPT in seconds?
Tim Gearing 5 months ago
If only I had kept my encyclopaedia Brittanica from when I was growing up in the 60s😂
#17
Owning fewer clothes and wearing them for a long time or buying something new each month and refreshing your wardrobe?
Grape Walls of Ire 5 months ago
Is hard for me to find clothes that fit. When I do, I didn't want them wearing out after a few washings.
#18
Printed family photo albums or instantly accessible photos on your phone gallery?
#19
Walking the aisles of a video rental store and hoping they’ll have the tape you’re searching for versus endlessly going through streaming platforms but nothing you’d like to watch.
#20
Buildings with classical design details or modern designs that are sleek and efficient?
#21
Flirting and dating through mutual friends or serendipitous meetings vs swiping and matching at lightning speed?
Grape Walls of Ire 5 months ago
I was way too shy and anxious to flirt with someone that may or may not be interested in dating. Online, I could at least assume they're looking.
#22
Talking to a friendly customer service rep who may not be able to solve your problem vs a bot that’s fast but cold?
Miki 5 months ago
I fixed your question: "Talking to a customer service rep who MAY not be able to solve your problem vs a bot that will definitely NOT solve your problem."
Rick Murray 5 months ago
24% probably didn't have a real problem as I haven't yet - not once - come across a bot that was actually capable of solving anything. Most of them seem to be concerned with keeping clients away from the customer service people, and some of them are more than happy to give an utterly useless answer (like use our website) and then disconnect the call. It's gotten to the point where I've had more luck calling sales (which rarely use bots) and asking to be put through to the right person.
Rebecca McManus 5 months ago
The bot only has the information it has been programmed with, so it has the same information as the human
The Short Lady 5 months ago
Do I have to leave my house and talk to a human. I'll try the bot with the human as a backup.
SchadenFreudian Psychology 5 months ago
How about a pleasant but not overly chatty human who can solve the problem? If that’s not possible, I’ll take the human who can’t solve the problem. Fvck all bots; they’re one of the things that’s enshǐttifying the world.
#23
Would you prefer buying magazines to keep up with celebrities and what’s trending or checking it on your phone anytime you want?
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What do you think ?
Power puff scientist 5 months ago
most of these options are still available today so luckily we don't have to choose between the one and can just select whatever is convenient.
Oerff On Tour 5 months ago
Just going out to rent a video is no longer possible
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Gavin Johnson 5 months ago
Read a book, listen to some vinyl, walk to your local, independent shop, stop using social media, wait to watch an episode, be disciplined, step away from your digital device, disconnect, live in the moment and stop whinging about the modern world. It is what YOU make it, not what the world demands, the power is all with you if you choose to be in control, if you don’t choose then it’s your fault not theirs.
Michal Pifko 5 months ago
I wonder how many people who claim they prefer doing things the old way actually do.
Captain Kakapo 5 months ago
Hey you all anty-social media, paper book, offline shop lovers... what are you doing on a WEB site anyway? Are you been dishonest with yourselves?
Apatheist Account2 5 months ago (edited)
It's another option. I don't read books on the internet, but that doesn't mean I don't use it for anything. We do some shopping online, but not all. You're assuming that everything is all or nothing (much like the "quiz") when it so obviously isn't. PS it's "anti" and "being".
Load More Replies...
Power puff scientist 5 months ago
most of these options are still available today so luckily we don't have to choose between the one and can just select whatever is convenient.
Oerff On Tour 5 months ago
Just going out to rent a video is no longer possible
Load More Replies... Gavin Johnson 5 months ago
Read a book, listen to some vinyl, walk to your local, independent shop, stop using social media, wait to watch an episode, be disciplined, step away from your digital device, disconnect, live in the moment and stop whinging about the modern world. It is what YOU make it, not what the world demands, the power is all with you if you choose to be in control, if you don’t choose then it’s your fault not theirs.
Michal Pifko 5 months ago
I wonder how many people who claim they prefer doing things the old way actually do.
Captain Kakapo 5 months ago
Hey you all anty-social media, paper book, offline shop lovers... what are you doing on a WEB site anyway? Are you been dishonest with yourselves?
Apatheist Account2 5 months ago (edited)
It's another option. I don't read books on the internet, but that doesn't mean I don't use it for anything. We do some shopping online, but not all. You're assuming that everything is all or nothing (much like the "quiz") when it so obviously isn't. PS it's "anti" and "being".
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