Modern Life Is Rubbish...Or Is It?

Over the last few years there have been a number of books and TV shows such as Grumpy Old Men which have the common theme that life was much better in 'the old days' than it is now. In fact this very author has often strayed dangerously close to the wind on this subject (please refer to old blog entries). However, there are many reasons why modern life is much better now than it was 20, 30 or 40 years ago. How good is mobile phone technology? I know people moan and say ' oh I never get any peace anywhere, mobile's always going off' - well turn the bloody thing off then! In fact most new technology is great - the internet, all technological advances in media such as flat screen TV, DVDs and the like and digital music is great. I know it was always a thrill when you bought a new LP (remember those, kids?) and took the big black vinyl disc out of the shiny cover but it wasn't long before it was scratched of jumping. CDs are much more robust and to my ears much clearer, MP3 files are even better. And remember when you wanted a beer anytime on a Sunday or after 11pm? No chance, it was digging out the old Party 7 that you had stored away under the stairs to quench your thirst. I also greatly appreciate central heating, having never had the benefit of this until I was 30 years old - I'll stop now before this turns into the four Yorkshiremen - 'Central heating? Luxury! We had to huddle round spittle bowl to get warm'.