We can't deny that technology has made life easier in a number of ways. We're able to do everything a little faster, from anywhere, at any time. But some of us still yearn for the simpler times, before our smartphones had the power to do so much. We brainstormed with our Facebook fans and came up with nine really good reasons why the simpler times were better.
1. We could let our kids play outside without fear.
There have been numerous chilling stories in recent years about kidnappers, from the Elizabeth Smart case to Ariel Castro's confinement of several young women. It's enough to make any parent never want to let their child out of their sight again. That's not to say that there weren't bad guys around 50 years ago. It's just that it's easier now for predators to find their victims with the advent of chatrooms, message boards, Facebook and even Snapchat.
2. Flying was quick and painless.
Taking to the skies used to be a glamorous affair -- we're thinking Pan-Am girls and roomier seats. Now, the thought of stepping foot in an airport is stress-inducing. We can all acknowledge the need for greater screening, but we have to say, we miss the ability to fly without taking off our shoes, struggling to fit our liquids into a tiny plastic bag and paying the big bucks for checking a suitcase.
3. Remote controls were simpler.
With blu-ray players, cable boxes and Chromecast, something as simple as switching on the TV or changing the channel can feel as confusing as being in the NASA control center. Why do we need so many buttons any way? It's even worse when you have more than one remote. We miss the simple days where all you needed were buttons for power, volume and channels. Simple.
4. Remaining anonymous also was simpler.
Nothing is private anymore. Want to lie about your age? Sites like Intelius will rat you out. Want to know how much your neighbor paid for his house? You can easily look up home prices. Or want to lie about your whereabouts? Make sure you aren't logged into Foursquare and don't check in to a restaurant on Facebook. Even Google is watching you and has a history of everything you've ever searched for. With the click of a follow or friend button, anyone can get a front row seat to your life.
5. Quiet family dinners were a real thing.
Remember when the family got together most nights, talked about their day and told stories? It might be a foggy memory. Nowadays, if you want to get your teen to show up for dinner you'd better send them a text or, better yet, Snapchat them a picture of the appetizing meal that awaits them on the dinner table. With parents checking work emails, kids busy on social media or playing games, orchestrating a family dinner can feel as difficult as putting on a family reunion.
6. You weren't constantly reminded to keep up with the Joneses.
Back in the day, you might admire the neighbor's flashy new car. But it wasn't rubbed in your face. Then came Facebook and Instagram. Now we don't just have stories of your friend's latest vacation, we also have the photos to go with them. You can actually see people's pics of their new car or waterfront villa in Bora Bora. Seeing everyone's highlights can leave us feeling a little drained. Some studies have even shown a link between Facebook use and feeling dissatisfied or depressed about your own life.
7. You didn't have to worry about what your kids were watching on TV.
THEN: The Andy Griffith Show. Bewitched. Gilligan's Island.
NOW: Game of Thrones. Mistresses. The Walking Dead.
'Nuff said.
8. You didn't have to hear from your boss after hours.
After putting in your solid eight-hour workday, you could snap up your briefcase and head home knowing you wouldn't have to worry about work again until the morning. Nowadays, with work phones, email and texting, your boss can pretty much reach you at any hour of the day or night. And if your boss isn't pestering you, the blinking light indicating new messages on your phone or computer usually proves too tempting to ignore.
Sigh. Oh, if only we could go back to the good ol' days.
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