Nostalgia, yes or no. Thoughts?

Do you think nostalgic thoughts are good or bad for the soul? I'm 62 years old therefor, I grew up in a much simpler time. I often miss that part of growing up. No internet, smart phone, etc., etc. But then again, times in the 1970s was downright volatile, at least in my world and surroundings. I'm wondering how others regard this topic.

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Adogslife · 61-69, M

At 63, I do think nostalgically. Times were simpler and there was a greater connection between people. There seemed to be less anger and frustration. There wasn’t the absurdity of “cancel culture”. The focus was certainly on betterment, but it had the greater good in mind.

Now, life is much more about individual entitlement. People of all ages are literally glued to their phones. In many instances, young adults have started to lose conversational ability. Text has replaced the call. It is efficient, but the nuance is lost. The same holds true with an email. It can never beat an actual voice on the telephone.

Also, with things like friend finders and snap maps, you always know where your friends are (now). That’s not necessarily good. What if you aren’t included? You know now. You didn’t then. That can be rough on teens.

On the bright side, everyone has gained by the ease of access to information. That’s huge. Personally, age discrimination has lessened. That’s great for me. It’s nice to be considered vibrant and have the ability to attack life. When I was a teen, someone that was 63 would be looked at in wonderment, ‘You’re still alive?’ Damn. 😂

Despite what the news wants to convey, racial and cultural acceptance are dramatically better. People just interact. Cultural avoidance, for the most part, is gone. Granted the world isn’t perfect, but the chasm of the 60’s and 70’s has long since passed- mostly thanks to the efforts of our children!

And finally, “News”. Forget about the speed of access. That’s a benefit to all. It’s the content. When I grew up the news wasn’t politicized. Walter Cronkite (and others) told you what was going on. You could trust it as the truth. Now, there’s literally no such thing as “news”. The commentary is politically motivated, pseudo-factual, editorial. Nobody watches “A” channel. They watch the channel that feeds them the political news they’re comfortably hearing. That’s a massive kick in the nuts for national unity.

JSul3 · 70-79

@Adogslife "Life is all right in America, if you're all white in America." (West Side Story)

I point this out, being a 71 year old white guy.

Folks who look like me have always had advantages over those with a different skin pigmentation. That is just a fact, and it continues today.

Pat Buchanon once said: "America was built by white men, for white men."

I despise Buchanon, but what he said is true. History, if you stick to the truth, proves it.

It is easy to be nostalgic about the past, if you are a white person...if you are not white, there are plenty of reasons not to be.

Adogslife · 61-69, M

@JSul3 Where are you from? Do you work in a metropolitan area?

Sour grapes aside, there’s a world of difference in white collar employment opportunity, college acceptance, inter-racial relationships, just to name a few.

At a less significant level, what about the sports and music industries? The minority participants there deservingly dominate the upper pay scales unimaginable to even the best of their white counterparts from decades ago.

As a society we do a great job at pointing out the shortcomings of the past. If we spent just a fraction of the time pointing out the success stories and TEACHING the elements of success, the world would be a better place.

Maybe it’s different where you are. I work on the outskirts of Boston. My three top managers: African American, Iranian/Muslim and Irish/white. Below that level, the top five performers: Mexican American, Irish/white, Brazilian American, Haitian American and an Asian American.

The chances of that level of success in 1960-1970? Zero. Absolutely zero.

JSul3 · 70-79

@Adogslife I am retired in Texas.
If you will take the time to read my comment, it refers to 'nostalgia' and I accurately point out that things were not so great for those of color.
Hurrah that you are surrounded by a group of diverse associates! Bravo! Boston is well known for its racism....we have plenty of it in Texas.
Have some things improved? Yes. Are 'we' all truly 'equal...free...liberty and justice for all?' Hell no! Not even close.
Don't agree? Ok. Fine.

I don't see opportunities unless you are rich. I don't see affordable housing.

I do see police brutality. I see unarmed black citizens being shot, many times in the back!
I see one political party that is damned and determined to destroy public education and to do everything possible to limit free access to the ballot box, especially for minorities. That would be The Party of Trump, formerly known as the GOP.

'Cancel culture?' Who is closing librairies and banning books?

You have freedom of speech, but as my wise history teacher told us: "You are free to say whatever you wish, but there may be consequences for what you say. With freedoms, there are duties and responsibilities."