The “Good Old Days” were Overrated
Everyone talks about how buying power and living standards have declined for the average person, but have they? A close look reveals that although some things cost more than they used to (and others less), quality of life standards have generally improved remarkably. What has changed more than anything is the perception that we have it worse…this is called envy.
The best way to go about this comparison is to head straight into an item-by-item comparison of “things now” versus “things then”:
Automobiles: In the really old days, people didn’t have cars and either walked or rode horses. In the more recent “old days”, like the 1930s, fewer people drove heavier vehicles that got lousy mileage and did not have safety features such as safety glass, seatbelts, and air-bags (plus they drove on more dangerous roads, the next subject). They were bigger, quainter, more powerful, and somewhat cheaper (when adjusted for inflation). They were definitely not safer, unless you consider a 4,000 lb hunk of metal (with some protruding surfaces) hitting another 4,000 lb hunk or metal (or embankment) safer. Modern cars are lighter, get much better mileage, and safer. With modern electronics, they are getting even more safe and efficient all the time. BETTER
Roads: Roads have become remarkably more safe, thanks to the advent of grade-separated highways, signalized intersections (many used to be stop sign controlled), guardrails, k-rails, roundabouts, new bridges, tunnels and the like. Old roads (through the 40s) often provided little protection for head-on or T-collisions, not having median separators and allowing country roads to feed highways with stop or yield signs being the only controlled access. Old roads were also narrower with fewer shoulders and adjacent to steeper embankments separated only by spindly (and ineffective) guardrails. Further, there were many, many poorly controlled railroad crossings that were highly dangerous (there are fewer at-grade railroad crossings, or railroads period, today). BETTER
Housing: Though housing costs have gone up considerably, so has the profit for homeowners. Rents have generally stabilized when adjusted for inflation. The quality of housing though, has gone up considerably. The early tract homes of the 40s did not use plywood (poor lateral stability in wind or earthquake events), had no insulation (high heating and cooling bills), single glazed windows, skimpy foundations (with inadequate anchorage), plaster instead of gyp-board (messier and costlier). Prior to the 40s, homes were often ornate (since crafts labor was cheaper), but old homes had things like knob and tube wiring (less reliable grounding). Modern homes have many energy-saving improvements, such as LED bulbs, low-flush toilets, double glazed windows, extensive insulation, plus safety features such as ground-fault circuit protectors, fire-sprinklers, and home-security systems. BETTER
Land and farming: In the old days it was relatively easy…you stole land from Native Americans, bought slaves to run the place, and called the whole thing “freedom”. Today land is much more expensive, as there are rules against the above, and perhaps reparations due to the victims. Further, much damage has been done to the soil (think Dust Bowl), and reparations are due there too. Given that our diet and environment are on a course to be much better (not requiring so much land), land and farming are going to be BETTER
Food: The cost of food for the average family has gone down relative to inflation. This may be due to the cheap labor involved in producing much of our food, plus ag and industrial improvements. The quality of food can be much better (if one eats fresh fruits and vegetables and not packaged food). In the old days, people ate less packaged food (because there was less available or it hadn’t been invented), but they also ate too many hydrogenated fats (like Crisco) and too much sugar (more cakes and pies). Today’s meat is more processed, but also cheaper. People today have the option of eating hormone-free and/or free-range meat if they desire. Organic fruits and vegetables are also available at slightly higher costs. BETTER
Alcohol and drugs: People in the old days drank more than we do today, and they tended to drink more hard liquor. Today, people are more likely to drink beer and wine (healthier than hard liquor). In total, people drink less alcohol today than in days of yore. Unfortunately, drugs have probably picked up the slack. People of today are much more likely to smoke pot, snort coke, or take opioids. Though the latter three have some medicinal uses and have become cheaper, they are just as likely to be abused. BETTER (because there is less hard liquor consumed, not because new drugs give you a better high)
Medicine and Doctors: In the old days, doctors and medicine were much cheaper, but you pretty much got what you paid for. Through the 50s, many people paid for medical out of pocket, and it did a fairly good job of preventing or treating disease (thanks to newly invented vaccines and antibiotics), setting broken bones and birthing babies. It did a fairly bad job of treating cancers and heart/autoimmune diseases since no one then really knew what was happening. Before WW II, many died of infectious disease, which antibiotics and vaccines have reduced considerably (despite the anti-vaxxer’s disinformation campaigns). Today, diseases are much better understood, and vaccines, heart disease and cancer therapy have improved considerably, though prices have skyrocketed. Drugs are more expensive, but then today they are better understood and do a better job. BETTER
Information: In the old days, you had the newspaper and a few magazines. Today, the Internet and Iphones have exploded the information world. Today we have incredible access to information (some say too much). EVEN
Appliances: Like cars, they used to be heavy, energy intensive, and reliable. Discounting the “Pinto era” of cars/appliances (when they got chintzier), they have become lighter, more energy-efficient and sophisticated, plus just as reliable. BETTER
Clothing: Clothes have come way down in price, due to overseas trade. You might say there is more variety too, if less net quality. A pair of jeans cost me about the same now as they did 40 years ago. BETTER
Electronics: Seriously? Modern electronics are WAYYY better than the old ones (a glowing mass of vacuum tubes actually), and prices have dropped drastically. A crappy black and white TV in 1955 cost about the same back then as a 55” flat screen high-def does today. WAY BETTER
Sex: Better birth control, more options. In the old old days you had to have sex for the rest of your life with the first girl you met that wasn’t your sister? A woman’s orgasm was known as “hysteria”? If you wanted oral sex you had to visit a prostitute? BETTER
Marriage and kids: In the old days, you stayed married and took care of your kids because your options were limited. You likely married a girl from your own town, and married earlier. Today, people get married later, and are much more likely to get divorced. People have better access to “fitness” and plastic surgery, so its as though everyone now thinks they can live the Hollywood lifestyle. The kids of today are much more likely to be neglected as a result. WORSE
Humility: In the old days, you were much more likely to be humble. You “ate the food on your plate”, children were “seen and not heard”, you went to boot camp and where they “tore you down and built you up”. Today most of that would result in your 16 year old kid calling child protective. Sociopathy is up, humility is down. WORSE
Patience and Diligence: In the old days, you had to be patient and diligent because THAT’S ALL THERE WAS! These days, if the message isn’t out or the concept grasped within 5 seconds YOU GIVE UP! Sometimes, it’s good to be patient, take what comes, stay the course, and appreciate what you have. WORSE
Yes, it’s a different world today, but the problem is not exactly quality of life, since that is definitely better (thanks to modern inventions, international free-trade, guest workers, etc). The problem is more believing the illusion that life is getting worse. This is due to in part to the vast amounts of information available, much of which cons you into thinking that life is getting worse, so that you’ll buy what they’re selling (like a “better” pillow or the Trump administration). In actual fact, life is better now than ever, especially here in America, if only we lose our envy, love our families, and choose to look at what is real.
Enjoy these other Vern Scott articles regarding ironic American History!
