What Would You Miss?
By LindaOH
@LindaOHio (178568)
United States
August 20, 2022 7:45am CST
I am rewriting the Discussion that was deleted last week...
I was in my teens and 20s in the 60s and 70s; and I never would have guessed that we would have the advancements in technology, medicine, etc. that we have today.
What would you miss from today if you had to go back to the days of your youth? Here's what I would miss:
Internet - The ability to find ANYTHING you can imagine on the world wide web. Being able to use YouTube, Wikipedia, online bill pay, online shopping and so much more! Also being able to send an email to my friend in London and have it be received in an instant. I also keep in touch with family and friends through Facebook. And speaking of friends...I have gained SO MANY online friends from around the world. I would miss them terribly!
Cell Phone - We don't use our basic flip phones except in emergencies or to talk to one another; but it's there if we need it. When you're on the freeway at night with car trouble, help is just a phone call away.
Digital Cameras - I used to love taking photos; and I like the fact that with a digital camera you can retake a photo as many times as you want, delete pictures, take high resolution pictures, there's no film, no developing.
Printers - The printers from my era were dot matrix. There was no printing of photos from a disk or memory card; and the resolution today is amazing.
Medical Advances - The advancements toward cancer survival, vaccinations such as shingles shots and so many advancements in machine technology and medical knowledge.
TV Channels - Even though there are times when you can't find something to watch with a gzillion channels, it's so much better than the 3 channels we had when I was younger!
No Smoking - What a great law that is for those of us that don't smoke. No more smoking in restaurants, in airplanes and other public places.
911 - How comforting to know that you can dial 3 numbers and get an ambulance, the police or the fire department?
Auto Safety Features - Seat belts, lane alerts, air bags and so many other safety advancements.
Food Safety and Labeling - No more harmful red dye, no more artificial sweeteners that were so awful tasting, enhanced food labeling and safety.
I will NOT miss the language that has permeated the movies and our TV channels.
What about you? What would you miss?
Photo Credit: Pixabay
31 people like this
29 responses
@Beestring (14553)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 22
I would miss internet and the video chat. I have lots of relatives and friends living overseas, video chat enables me to chat and see them face to face as often as I wish.
6 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
20 Aug 22
Yes; and you can send an email; and it will be received in an instant!
5 people like this
@Beestring (14553)
• Hong Kong
20 Aug 22
@LindaOHio Yes, video chat is even better because you can see each other.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471497)
• Switzerland
21 Aug 22
@LindaOHio - The smell of smoke inside the aircraft was horrible, I wonder how they allowed to smoke.
4 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Yes. We were trapped in what seemed like a bar!
3 people like this
@rebelann (112870)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Aug 22
OH WOW, that's one really loaded question.
So yeah, I would miss technology and such.
I would miss the kind of freedom I've had these past couple decades, women back then were not respected in the business world at all.
Well, that's about all I can think of. I'm pretty comfy with todays world.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
22 Aug 22
@rebelann I had a little bit; but I shot it down quickly.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Good point about women. We certainly did not receive equal pay and equal treatment.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Aug 22
What a great list! I think I would miss all of that stuff on your list. What I wouldn't miss is the hate, selfishness, entitlement, conceitedness and self-centeredness that permeates our society today.
What I would love, though, is the simpleness and innocence of bygone days.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121581)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Aug 22
@LindaOHio That’s pretty cool. I’m sure I would have enjoyed the British culture as well.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Thank you for your thoughtful response. I would love to go back to the 60s.
2 people like this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
23 Aug 22
@LindaOHio I used to have a set of those. I never used them, or rarely.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
We rely on the internet for SO MUCH! I would hate to go back to the encyclopedia.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Aug 22
I think you've done a great job of covering many of the advances that have occurred in our lifetimes. And thanks to Vicki, (@1creekgirl) for suggesting your discussion. I really enjoyed reading it and it brought back many of the things I should be thankful for.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Thanks, Judy. I'm sure there are more; but those are what stood out for me.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
21 Aug 22
I would miss all the ways we can send messages and all the ways we can explore the world online.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
22 Aug 22
Yes, there is an unlimited amount of information available on the world wide web.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14078)
• Philippines
21 Aug 22
They are the same as you. Most especially medical advances, the Internet, and cell phone. There are more that we have to credit advanced technology. I can reach anyone in the world through the Internet and my cell phone.
On the other hand, I miss the days of my youth when people have more freedom to do simple things like having simple family activities, instead of almost everyone focused on their cell phones. Cell phones now occupy most of people's time when they are at home or working, which can sometimes be detrimental.
2 people like this
@allknowing (136369)
• India
21 Aug 22
I would rather say what I will not miss - not spending real time with each other rather than just video calling
2 people like this
@sjvg1976 (41281)
• Delhi, India
21 Aug 22
I would miss many things like AC for sure as it's not easy to survive in the temperature we have these days.
Of course, the loans which we get so easily from the banks these days to purchase a vehicle or a home. I don't think it was as easy as it's these days
2 people like this
@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
29 Aug 22
I would only miss the Internet. The Internet opened up the world for me.
2 people like this
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
21 Aug 22
I would definitely miss my smartphone. That has the internet which can really get you access to anything else you want, essentially.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
22 Aug 22
Yes, the internet is so far superior to an encyclopedia.
1 person likes this
@BearArtistLady (6037)
• United States
21 Aug 22
I would miss the advancements in medicine...I broke my ankle in 3 places, one of them a compound break, and the hospital was able to x-ray and surgically repair my ankle in 2 days. I didn't have the horrible reaction to the sedative that they used, and I was up and around in three days. I won't miss Covid or any of the other diseases that are plaguing us and killing so many of our citizens.
I would also miss the internet, air conditioning-especially in autos and mass transport. Also, I would miss the vaccines that keep children from getting the horrible diseases. And to top off the list I would miss cell phones. They come in very handy in emergency situations.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Thank you for your thoughful response!
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (84010)
• Rupert, Idaho
21 Aug 22
I can agree with all that you mentioned...not sure there is anything I would add
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Thank you for stopping by and commenting!!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (67984)
• United States
20 Aug 22
I really really like having 8.600 songs on something that fits in my hand (iPod).
And yes, I would DEFINITELY miss the no-smoking laws. But, honestly, back in those days, people had manners: “do you mind if I smoke?”
I really like the digital camera, too: no waiting a week for your photos to come back from Fotomat. 
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
You've made all good points. Thanks for commenting.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37351)
• Toccoa, Georgia
20 Aug 22
Everything you mentioned above, I would miss.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79833)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Aug 22
Mostly the Internet because that has become my world and way to communicate with everyone, My digital camera of course, because without it I would not have all the photos I have with my memories, being able to turn on anything I want and watch and my DVDs and videos and such,
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Yes, we take for granted all the things we have until we think about what it was like 50-60 years ago!
2 people like this
@1creekgirl (41424)
• United States
20 Aug 22
What a great post! I think you pretty much listed most of the things I would miss. I'd also miss air-conditioning (I'm thinking about when I was a child), microwaves, dishwashers (I had two of them: my kids!), being able to call my friend in Scotland without it costing a fortune, and like you said, especially digital cameras. I remember years ago, my grown son told me, "Keep it digital."
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178568)
• United States
21 Aug 22
Thank you for recommending my post and for your comments!
2 people like this
@Sojourn (13837)
• India
20 Aug 22
Old people mainly show nostalgia and highlights what they are missing in this 21st century and most of the narratives finally paints a gloomy picture of the present, but I am pleased to see you being an exception and showing us why we should be grateful for the things we do HAVE. 
2 people like this
