They were - back in the 70's people were driving cars that could burn rubber and do a wheel stand right off the production line now their driving smart cars that are gutless. Cheers!
This post was edited by Nanoose at December 16, 2018 4:41 AM MST
In a way, yes -- the zeitgeist for youth seemed far freer: In 1973, 18 year-olds in Australia gained the vote; young people had hope that their activism could make a difference - and historically it did. Australians gained universal free university and/or technical education for those who qualified in their exams; Kids moved out of home and studied or got a job at 16 to 18, at latest by 21; STD's were less prevalent, vicious and potentially lethal; feminism and the Pill had somewhat liberalised sexual mores (although the double standard remained alive and well mostly unspoken); There was no ice or crack. Weed was the main drug of choice for most. There were no laws to penalise citizen's demonstrations and protests. Many experimented with alternative religions and lifestyles, and 15-22% of that generation (the baby-boomers) still live that way and hold those values.
We had a lot more time and a lot more privacy. Fake news was a rare occurrence. We were not addicted to mobile phones and computer screens. Very few were addicted to gambling. We rang people when it was convenient to them, not to ourselves; and did not get offended if they didn't answer or weren't available.
But we worried about Vietnam, the Cold War, Apartheid, Irish nationalist terrorism, the bomb, nuclear power melt-downs and nuclear submarines, and global warming and pollution.
The only thing that's opposite now is the political trend continuing further to the right. Historically, there is usually a backlash and a swing of the pendulum back to more liberal policies and laws, but it also depends somewhat on economics and how secure people feel.
Today, I think political and religious conservatism is far more prevalent - though it seems to be more exaggerated in the USA than elsewhere. Around the world, democracy is under threat via corruption, cynicism, apathy and justifiable distrust - and this threatens the well-being of everyone. Jobs, privacy and autonomy are under threat via technology. The world, meaning all species of life on the planet, is now proven to be at risk from global warming - it is no longer a theoretical prediction. Terrorism has shifted its causes and has become more prevalent in more countries. Sexism, racism, hate, and violence are rising based on each country's own government statistics in most first world countries, and all second and third world countries.
This post was edited by inky at December 16, 2018 3:35 PM MST
Nanoose 