AUTHOR: Amaka Chukwuma
Smartphones are great for a lot of things, but let's be real—they've changed the game, and not always for the better. From genuine conversations to enjoying the moment, we've got a list of 10 things that were way better before everyone had a phone glued to their hand. It might make you want to put down that device and revisit simpler times.
Table of Contents
- 1. Tickets
- 2. Social Media
- 3. Groceries
- 4. Amazon
- 5. Airbnb
- 6. Furniture
- 7. Home Appliances
- 8. Gas Cans
- 9. Rewards Programs
- 10. Google
- 12 Foods You Think Are Healthy But Really Aren't
- 12 Products That Used to Be the Best But Aren't Now
- 12 Secrets from 70-Year-Olds That Will Change Your Life
- 10 American Foods That Gross Out the Rest of the World
- Top 10 Best Tasting Fish
1. Tickets
In the past, attending a concert by a massively popular band cost a bit extra, typically ranging from $100 to $200. However, for the most part, concert tickets were affordable and could be reasonably priced. If the prices listed on Ticketmaster were too high, calling the venue directly and purchasing tickets for a lower rate was often possible.
Nowadays, buying tickets has become more restrictive, as you are often required to purchase them through Ticketmaster. Additionally, the cost of attending a concert has skyrocketed, with some artists charging thousands of dollars for admission.
2. Social Media
Social media is inundated with ads and suggested pages, making it difficult to navigate and use. Similarly, YouTube is filled with unskippable ads every few seconds, and news websites are either paywalled or have an overwhelming number of ads. People in the forum agree that all the fun on social media has disappeared because you are trying to skip ads or close an unneeded page on your feed.
3. Groceries
According to one individual, groceries used to be more abundant and less expensive. They reminisce about comfortably sustaining themselves on a budget of $50 a week, which now seems like an unattainable dream.
However, even with the high prices, quality is not guaranteed. For instance, Another user notes that chocolates used to have distinct flavors, unlike today, where they seem to be a combination of overwhelming sweetness.
4. Amazon
A dissatisfied Amazon customer expressed disappointment, saying, "Amazon sucks in general now." They went on to share specific grievances, such as the limitation of Prime Music to shuffle-only mode and the prevalence of products from unknown Chinese companies.
Another customer chimed in, mentioning their frustrating experience of searching for items on Amazon only to find that the top ten results were identical with generic-sounding names. A third individual added that Prime Music used to be their go-to for gym playlists but has since become a source of disappointment.
5. Airbnb
Airbnb was once famous for travelers seeking a casual and affordable alternative to traditional hotels. Originally designed to allow individuals to rent a spare room in their homes, it allowed people to connect with local hosts and experience new cultures.
However, the platform has shifted in recent years as Airbnb landlords have started buying up properties to use as long-term or luxury rentals. Additionally, charging a cleaning fee and requiring guests to perform a list of cleaning tasks before leaving is not encouraging.
6. Furniture
It often feels like furniture is designed to be disposable and replaced frequently. Gone are the days of mid-range, real wood furniture that was affordable and durable. As one user recently experienced while shopping for a new couch, prices for quality pieces can easily exceed several thousand dollars, leaving many feeling priced out of the market.
One person notes that this shift towards disposable furniture can be attributed to the destructive nature of modern capitalism. In the past, purchasing quality furniture was seen as an investment that could be passed down from generation to generation.
7. Home Appliances
A consumer confessed, "I got tired of my washing machine breaking once or twice a year and bought a speed queen last week." Another person said they'd rather repair their refrigerator than buy a new one because of the current products' limited lifespan. Modern appliances are often designed with planned obsolescence in mind.
8. Gas Cans
Many people have voiced frustration with the new gas can design, citing difficulties in safely pouring gas without spilling a significant amount on the ground. Ironically, the new gas cans were created to be safer, but many find they are less safe.
9. Rewards Programs
In the past, rewards programs used to provide actual rewards for their users without requiring a laundry list of purchase requirements to obtain gratification. However, nowadays, redeeming rewards has become a difficult task, often requiring many points or purchases before receiving any benefit.
For instance, getting a 10% discount code may require spending 100 points, but collecting 10 points may necessitate spending over $25. This stark contrast has made rewards programs less appealing and burdensome for users.
10. Google
Finally, someone explains they feel a sense of nostalgia when searching for queries on Google yielded a diverse range of forums, providing them with a glimpse into various perspectives and opinions.
But this is no longer the case, as search results on Google have become more selective and highly curated, leading to a lack of trust in the answers provided.
This thread inspired this post.
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