Would you trade how social people were for lack of smartphones/other tech today?

[Redfox]

While I think it would have been great to be born and live in the 60s-80s, enjoying the 90s was great, but I do enjoy the increase of technology. Any information you could ever want or need is instantaneous. You can generally get a good sense of who someone really is through social media, as they broadcast who they are. You decide if you want that in your life or not. It's easier to stay in contact with family all over the world and country. Although I enjoy face to face conversation, or phone calls from time to time, sometimes a quick text message without getting into a 30 minute conversation is also nice.

Think about how difficult it would be and expensive to try to find e30 parts if there was no online world. Ordering speciality clothes/apparel (e30 related ;)) would be. Even finding certain protein powders. The Internet is a wonderful tool and it all depends on how you use it.

A good friend of my stepfather seemed like a nice guy. Looked him up online and turns out he is a pedophile, and is in jail now till 2035. Half the charges and occurrences were when we were kids and he was around us, buying us gifts, etc. My parents knew better than to leave us entirely alone with him (or anyone non family for that matter) but with all the online databases you have the opportunity to see what or who lives in your area, as well as how to be proactive and protect your home, family, kids, pets, etc.

I think instilling a happy medium is best on either end.

It's also nice to send/receive sweet texts fr your S/O throughout the day, share and receive media, and quietly have something to do while in waiting rooms, shopping (while someone else is trying on clothes) or whatever need be.

[agent]

Grew up during the 80's and it was amazing! It was an era in which people still were not fearful of every new person that entered their "orbit". It was just generally accepted that people were good natured and not out to find a way to exploit you financially, emotionally, physically, etc.

The 80's generation encouraged interaction with others and although I miss that very much in current day society I also am a product of the technological revolution- computers , laptops, smartphones, gps and so forth. Understanding what technology can do to benefit myself and others never ceases to amaze me as there are new and innovative way it is being used. Would I trade in all the technology and electronic benefits to go back to the 80's - No. Would I strive to make current day interactions more like they were in the 80's while retaining all the virtues that current technology brings - YES and thats what I do.

I do want my cake and be able to eat it to! I think that one can "strike a balance" between using their technological gadgets and being able and willing to have meaningful conversations. Everything in moderation is fine. Its only when something is done to excess that things dont go so well.

Oh, the 80's were big on cocaine use as validated by the guy licking his lips with the blue shirt and says "Totally F'ed up" and indicates he is partying in the above posted video. Growing up in Los Angeles it heavily proliferated the dance club scene and was more accepted than in today's world.

No vote in the Poll here as you did not enable multichoice voting as I would like to vote for both options.

This post sums it up nicely for me. Well put.

[Cletonius]

Honestly we would have alot of problems without navigation, there are people who are easily lost haha.

How do you think people got around before navigation systems were invented? Even then, the first geolocation services only gave coordinates; you still had to plot your location on a map/chart.

Maps will get you where you need to go every time. If you check the map you won't be easily lost.

[nickpro]

We don't have a TV or microwave..

I grew up like this, and when it is time for me to have kids, they will grow up like this as well. I'm scared for where society is going. I instagram, but refuse to download Vine or snapchat. Too much.

[samiam3356]

Mid 70's kid. I remember seeing Carter on TV. All of the Reagan years (Murica) and the Cold War (nuclear war) was something you thought about. Movies like "The Day After" would have you thinking shit was going to hit the fan any day. Back then you rented a vcr and movies to watch. Most people could not afford to own one. We played neighborhood games until dark when we were little older after dark. Not a lot of obesity in kids like now. We played video games on rainy days or went to the gym and played basketball. In smaller towns, we played every sport. More of a Facebook gathering, if you will, for the adults at the time as they would all get together and drink. it was no doubt great times.

I have 4 sons and their video game time is very limited. They actually like being outside with their friends whose parents are also from the same era. Technology has become the best, cheapest babysitter in the world. Lazy ass parents will use it to their advantage.