Was life in Britain better twenty years ago?
Poll: Was life in Britain better twenty years ago?
Total Members Polled: 331
Discussion
Gary C said:
It was even better 40 years ago.
ThisOft think of the sweet spot as 1976 but then again I was 23, single, sports car, at the pub most nights or out on a Rally, competing or marshalling
Music was great (it still is if you listen to the right radio stations) it was sunny all year round......
OK the last bit is stretching it a bit
But then you think of power cuts, Suez was mid 70's, political tensions, but there again nothing mattered as I was 23 (see above).
things are good today, we have internet to search for elusive car parts (and Pistonheads remember) rather than crawling around the scrap yard every Saturday ( I used to enjoy that though). I'm happily married with a 13 year old son, a TVR in the garage and a Caterham but retired now so haven't got the spare cash anymore for motorsport. In contrast we do have social tension, particularly in the SE of England, (but I live west Scotland so I'm alright Jack) we have many more speed cameras, we are more restricted, we have so many people telling us what we can and can't do (watched Dave Allen last night, he wouldn't get away with a lot of that now). The Health Service is heading for disaster, there are far too many scroungers and people prepared to defraud the system, con people, rip them off.
Edited by Skyedriver on Friday 19th July 21:41
People were saying many of the same things 20 years ago about the past being better and probably have done for ever.
It all depends on your age and your situation.
I was 21/22 and still at university in 1999. I enjoyed much of that time, but I enjoy being 41/42 more. I'm now established at work in a job that isn't too stressful, have a wife and children, a nice enough house in a nice area, comfortable in my own skin, fit, healthy, have learned quite a few man/life skills, don't feel the need to show off materially.
Modern times offer an amazing range of opportunities for people "in the middle", especially if they haven't pre-allocated all of their monthly income to paying off loans/rental for things they don't need.
Information and learning is there for the taking for the inqusitive. Ordinary people can now access knowledge and technology thay was only there for the rich/gifted in the past.
....Driving on UK roads was better 20 years ago. Less traffic and higher limits, no SPECS.
It all depends on your age and your situation.
I was 21/22 and still at university in 1999. I enjoyed much of that time, but I enjoy being 41/42 more. I'm now established at work in a job that isn't too stressful, have a wife and children, a nice enough house in a nice area, comfortable in my own skin, fit, healthy, have learned quite a few man/life skills, don't feel the need to show off materially.
Modern times offer an amazing range of opportunities for people "in the middle", especially if they haven't pre-allocated all of their monthly income to paying off loans/rental for things they don't need.
Information and learning is there for the taking for the inqusitive. Ordinary people can now access knowledge and technology thay was only there for the rich/gifted in the past.
....Driving on UK roads was better 20 years ago. Less traffic and higher limits, no SPECS.
Down and out said:
Fort Jefferson said:
Britain has been going downhill since the 1960's.
I wish I'd have been born in the 1920's and were dead by now.
Nothing like a bit of cheer on a rainy day.I wish I'd have been born in the 1920's and were dead by now.
If you were born in the 20's it's not exactly guaranteed you'd be dead now anyway.
soad said:
Probably...didn’t have to wake up and look at an iPain device (or similar) to check for numerous emails/notifications. Life was simpler too.
Better or worse - that sounds more like just plain old different.For every email or news at your fingertip that there is now, there's the having to wait weeks for it to drop on your doormat or not knowing the football score from the night before as it wasn't televised or reported on the news....and of course you'd get page skip on Ceefax/Teletext for the page with the scores lol
For most people who were young and free the chances are then 20yrs ago was of course a happier memory, who could argue different?
But those people asked about it in 2039 will probably say the same lol
Skyedriver said:
This
Oft think of the sweet spot as 1976 but then again I was 23, single, sports car, at the pub most nights or out on a Rally, competing or marshalling
Music was great (it still is if you listen to the right radio stations) it was sunny all year round......
OK the last bit is stretching it a bit
But then you think of power cuts, Suez was mid 70's, political tensions, but there again nothing mattered as I was 23 (see above).
Suez mid 70s …….. methinks maybe you enjoyed the 70s a little too much!!Oft think of the sweet spot as 1976 but then again I was 23, single, sports car, at the pub most nights or out on a Rally, competing or marshalling
Music was great (it still is if you listen to the right radio stations) it was sunny all year round......
OK the last bit is stretching it a bit
But then you think of power cuts, Suez was mid 70's, political tensions, but there again nothing mattered as I was 23 (see above).
20 years wasn't that long ago, really.
The Internet was here, even if it wasn't in your pocket. Smart phones and mobile Internet have arguably been the biggest driver of change for most people.
Ordinary cars could be decent. A late 90s Mondeo or Focus in good condition would still be good to drive, even if they don't have the same number of (mostly unnecessary) gadgets, and much thirstier. They were vastly better than cars of 1979.
The Internet was here, even if it wasn't in your pocket. Smart phones and mobile Internet have arguably been the biggest driver of change for most people.
Ordinary cars could be decent. A late 90s Mondeo or Focus in good condition would still be good to drive, even if they don't have the same number of (mostly unnecessary) gadgets, and much thirstier. They were vastly better than cars of 1979.
Good question. 20 years ago I had just finished up with the Army/Uni and the future was a big unknown. The new millennium was just around the corner, tinfoil hats at the ready for aircraft falling from the sky (sound familiar?).
I had a much simpler life then, no house, no children, no wife, but also a much less fulfilling life. I now have a job I enjoy, a good standard of living, a wife and two great children. I guess I'm old enough now not to be caught up in the social pressures of today, of course 20 years ago there was still a desire to 'fit in' for most people, but it was less invasive and all-envelopingly brutal than it seems now.
There were far fewer 'instant experts' than we have now. If someone knew something it was generally because they had taken the time and effort to learn about it, and not because they just skim-read a wikipedia article or FB post. How did the 'information revolution' of the internet spawn the 'age of ignorance'? Nobody saw that one coming eh?
But there is always something comforting in the past, part of it comes from knowing it can never change unlike the uncertainty of the future. Nostalgia is great but it is just that. If you were to transport a modern 20-year-old back to the late 90's they would probably think it was s
t.
TLDR: For me, no. I am much happier now. For Britain, impossible to say objectively IMHO.
I had a much simpler life then, no house, no children, no wife, but also a much less fulfilling life. I now have a job I enjoy, a good standard of living, a wife and two great children. I guess I'm old enough now not to be caught up in the social pressures of today, of course 20 years ago there was still a desire to 'fit in' for most people, but it was less invasive and all-envelopingly brutal than it seems now.
There were far fewer 'instant experts' than we have now. If someone knew something it was generally because they had taken the time and effort to learn about it, and not because they just skim-read a wikipedia article or FB post. How did the 'information revolution' of the internet spawn the 'age of ignorance'? Nobody saw that one coming eh?
But there is always something comforting in the past, part of it comes from knowing it can never change unlike the uncertainty of the future. Nostalgia is great but it is just that. If you were to transport a modern 20-year-old back to the late 90's they would probably think it was s
t.TLDR: For me, no. I am much happier now. For Britain, impossible to say objectively IMHO.
glenrobbo said:
Consider how many pubs have closed during the last 20 years.
The pubs were busy because there was fk all else to do. Can you imagine people sitting talking now, I mean all night? Looking back some of the pubs weren't that good really, they were dirty, with poor ranges of drinks and slow service. But there was a conformity to it all, i.e. All your mates would be down there. Speaking from a personal POV, 99-2007 was a great time, mobiles had just took off in a big way, texting had exploded of the back of cheap payg, and the internet was a curiosity, it was extremely primitive until maybe 2005-6. (You tube didn't arrive until 2006!). The biggest thing though was easy credit, a feel good factor which could be felt in people's mood, unfortunately we are still paying for this. P-Jay said:
Schmed said:
Britain is now populated by self entitled snowflakes or the underclass. Years of a liberal education, ‘everybody wins a trophy’ left wing unionist crap and hysterical fears of celebrating any kind of Empirical history have sadly taken their toll. As Boris says the constant negative stream of remoaner BBC drivel needs to change, and needs to change now.
What’s that smell? Bacon? No, Ham? No.Ah yes, Gammon. ??
It’s a mystery why the serial cheat and liar Boris gets so upset by the news and their inconvenient facts.
Skyedriver said:
This
Oft think of the sweet spot as 1976 but then again I was 23, single, sports car, at the pub most nights or out on a Rally, competing or marshalling
Music was great (it still is if you listen to the right radio stations) it was sunny all year round......
OK the last bit is stretching it a bit
But then you think of power cuts, Suez was mid 70's, political tensions, but there again nothing mattered as I was 23 (see above).
things are good today, we have internet to search for elusive car parts (and Pistonheads remember) rather than crawling around the scrap yard every Saturday ( I used to enjoy that though). I'm happily married with a 13 year old son, a TVR in the garage and a Caterham but retired now so haven't got the spare cash anymore for motorsport. In contrast we do have social tension, particularly in the SE of England, (but I live west Scotland so I'm alright Jack) we have many more speed cameras, we are more restricted, we have so many people telling us what we can and can't do (watched Dave Allen last night, he wouldn't get away with a lot of that now). The Health Service is heading for disaster, there are far too many scroungers and people prepared to defraud the system, con people, rip them off.
Suez was mid 50s.Oft think of the sweet spot as 1976 but then again I was 23, single, sports car, at the pub most nights or out on a Rally, competing or marshalling
Music was great (it still is if you listen to the right radio stations) it was sunny all year round......
OK the last bit is stretching it a bit
But then you think of power cuts, Suez was mid 70's, political tensions, but there again nothing mattered as I was 23 (see above).
things are good today, we have internet to search for elusive car parts (and Pistonheads remember) rather than crawling around the scrap yard every Saturday ( I used to enjoy that though). I'm happily married with a 13 year old son, a TVR in the garage and a Caterham but retired now so haven't got the spare cash anymore for motorsport. In contrast we do have social tension, particularly in the SE of England, (but I live west Scotland so I'm alright Jack) we have many more speed cameras, we are more restricted, we have so many people telling us what we can and can't do (watched Dave Allen last night, he wouldn't get away with a lot of that now). The Health Service is heading for disaster, there are far too many scroungers and people prepared to defraud the system, con people, rip them off.
There was a lot less violence on the streets but possibly more in the homes that went unreported. Too many people now do not value life.
Obviously before 20years ago but the removal of corporal and capital punishment have definitely been an influence; I’ve got children in primary school but I believe there should be more discipline and the cane should be used (I learnt a lot from it when I was at school and respected my teachers).
Social media is definitely a significant factor to the way we live now. Too many people want every thing now, they don’t seem to want to work for it. The issue with this is there will be a huge fall as you can’t keep borrowing to fund a lifestyle beyond your means.
No more Concorde.
To many people worry about giving the impression they are kingpins. Plastic gangsters.
I have become a serious advocate of military service the old fashioned way; at this point in time I can see it happening again, I personally think as a nation we are the closest we’ve been in decades to going to war - partially because of Brexit but also the situations developing in the Middle East and with Russia. War has often been used to divert attention from national fiscal (financial) woes. I don’t think it’s a matter of ‘if’ it’s more ‘when’
The politicians have lost their way. The Police have been undermined and the courts do not back them up.
I think there are some better things now but are outweighed by the extremes of the the negatives; good things include awareness of mental health; broader acceptance of a persons sexuality, medical developments. Ease of research for DIY etc via internet.
Obviously before 20years ago but the removal of corporal and capital punishment have definitely been an influence; I’ve got children in primary school but I believe there should be more discipline and the cane should be used (I learnt a lot from it when I was at school and respected my teachers).
Social media is definitely a significant factor to the way we live now. Too many people want every thing now, they don’t seem to want to work for it. The issue with this is there will be a huge fall as you can’t keep borrowing to fund a lifestyle beyond your means.
No more Concorde.
To many people worry about giving the impression they are kingpins. Plastic gangsters.
I have become a serious advocate of military service the old fashioned way; at this point in time I can see it happening again, I personally think as a nation we are the closest we’ve been in decades to going to war - partially because of Brexit but also the situations developing in the Middle East and with Russia. War has often been used to divert attention from national fiscal (financial) woes. I don’t think it’s a matter of ‘if’ it’s more ‘when’
The politicians have lost their way. The Police have been undermined and the courts do not back them up.
I think there are some better things now but are outweighed by the extremes of the the negatives; good things include awareness of mental health; broader acceptance of a persons sexuality, medical developments. Ease of research for DIY etc via internet.
Edited by W12GT on Saturday 20th July 09:24
Kermit power said:
Mothersruin said:
Eric Mc said:
Mothersruin said:
I think society was closer, more coherent and harmonised than it is now.
Blair has plenty to be guilty of but I see his legacy of identity politics, unchecked immigration and multiculturalism has irreversibly damaged the fundamentals of the country.
And I see a lot of those things that you see as negatives as positives. So, this is almost a pointless topic in that people view the world in different ways and "better" or "worse" can be completely different to different people.Blair has plenty to be guilty of but I see his legacy of identity politics, unchecked immigration and multiculturalism has irreversibly damaged the fundamentals of the country.
Britain has changed and will soon not be "Britain" in what many would consider to be its "normal" state. Of course, what Britain is and meant has never been a static thing. It has evolved and changed constantly since the whole "Britain" concept came into being.
I fully expect that the United Kingdom will exist in name only in less than ten years.
Never had you down as a closet anarchist Eric.
We've had constant waves of immigration to this country for well over a thousand years, and doubtless will continue to have more for the next thousand years. Britain wouldn't be Britain without it.
It's really weird if you think about it.... Even though we're only separated from the European mainland by 20-odd miles, for most of human history has represented a really massive barrier. You'd think that we'd be one of the most insular, homogeneous nations on the continent, yet the absolute opposite is true! Even our language, formed over the last couple of millennia, is a complete mongrel. We have large portions of our vocabulary that draw from Celtic, French, Germanic and Viking languages.
As far as I'm aware, no other language, certainly in Europe is such a hybrid, and guess what? It's not because we looked overseas and thought "Ah yes... We'll use those words from that language today". It's because we've had more immigration over many centuries than any other nation in Europe, and long may it continue, as I completely love the diversity it has injected into our modern society.
WinkleHoff said:
Here lies the state of discourse in 2019. People calling each other remoaners and gammon. In this respect, things were better twenty years ago....
Broadly, to use the unpleasant terms:"gammon" are those who look fondly back to the past and possibly dislike the present.
"remoaners" are those who think that the present day is fine and feel optimistic about the future.
The same sort of people existed 20-10000 years ago.
1999 - are they the good old days now? Jesus I must be getting old. Middle class earnings and spending power was definitely more positive, the housing market was in full on mental mode across most of the South of England, (I'd just bought my first property at the age of 22 and seen it double in value in 18 months).
Things could still only get better, Premier league football was still interesting and hot hatches were still generally affordable.
On the downside the choice of beer in your average pub was dire, Chris Evans was litterally all that was on telly and no one had the Internet in their pocket but on the otherhand there was no social media either on to which people could blead their bigoted prejudice all day.
Things could still only get better, Premier league football was still interesting and hot hatches were still generally affordable.
On the downside the choice of beer in your average pub was dire, Chris Evans was litterally all that was on telly and no one had the Internet in their pocket but on the otherhand there was no social media either on to which people could blead their bigoted prejudice all day.
LimaDelta said:
MC Bodge said:
"remoaners" are those who think that the present day is fine and feel optimistic about the future.
Which future though?Surveys showed that those who thought that life was better 30 years ago had very different outlook to those who thought the opposite.
The current course of our nation is now different and the future now somewhat less certain.
Edited by MC Bodge on Saturday 20th July 09:54
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