Do you think people were happier and friendlier in the 1990s? Would you live there?

[OwenBurton]

Lots of people today, regardless of their background, seem really unhappy at the current state of things, with lots of ongoing conflict such as in Ukraine and elsewhere, increasing inflation, mass shootings, the pandemic still going on all over the world, and an increasingly divided society in America. According to this study, Americans are right now at their unhappiest level in 50 years.
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcar...most-50-years/
https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/20/polit...ism/index.html
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tan...itical-divide/

And American patriotism this year has also been at a new low, far below the previous average:
https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/29/polit...ing/index.html

Some people have said that back then, people from different parties for example could at least talk to each other and work out their differences in a civil manner, and society was much more laid-back and relaxed than it is today. Not unlike the so-called "Greatest Generation" who came home post-WW2, the 1990s was the decade immediately after the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the reunification of Germany, and people generally seemed so much more optimistic and hopeful for the future, especially before the failed American wars of the 2000s and Guantanamo Bay and the torture and spying revelations and all those other controversies which heavily harmed America's image in the eyes of its citizens and the international community. Even relations with China, Russia and most of the Muslim world also seemed to to be somewhat better, and the Middle East also seemed to be slightly more peaceful.

Do you think that the 1990s in some ways at least were better for most people, compared to the situation today? Do you think you were happier back then, personally? Would you live there, if you had a time machine and could go back there?

[Shadowferal]

No. From my perspective in my general area, The 90s came across as naive and self-indulgent.

[kranur]

If they were friendlier, it's probably out of need rather than choice, because people were a little more dependable on each other, compared to today where you have access to everything at your fingertip.

[OwenBurton]

No. From my perspective in my general area, The 90s came across as naive and self-indulgent.

But how ever so? Can you elaborate? Americans (and perhaps most people in the modern West) have only arguably become more materialistic and self-absorbed these days, not less. Much less interested in things like religion and spirituality, perhaps, but not necessarily happier. Go to social media these days to see how angry and aggressive most people are over the slightest of disagreements, I don't think it was that intense in the past.

I think society has slowly reached a saturation threshold, and has yet to process the next state of "self-actualization" as described by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

There's a reason why mental and emotional health for millions of people have steadily deteriorated in recent years, and severe depression and drug and alcohol addiction also seems to be getting much more serious these days.
https://www.innovationunit.org/thoug...%80%8Abut-why/
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-n...-getting-worse

[Konteil]

having lived and grown up as a teenager in teh late 80s and 90s yeah it was a lot better. people were friendlier work was decent the economy was stable and the world hadnt goe down teh tubes yet. people still gave a shit about community and working together was just somethign we did. racism was a lot less than it is today and in general w werent moving at break neck speed in every way every day. yes id go back to the 90s in a heartbeat. if for no other reason than i was happier then. that was teh time in my life that we decided kids were a great idea cause we could afford to have them even on a meager budget. i cant even imagne trying now.

[OwenBurton]

having lived and grown up as a teenager in teh late 80s and 90s yeah it was a lot better. people were friendlier work was decent the economy was stable and the world hadnt goe down teh tubes yet. people still gave a shit about community and working together was just somethign we did. racism was a lot less than it is today and in general w werent moving at break neck speed in every way every day. yes id go back to the 90s in a heartbeat. if for no other reason than i was happier then. that was teh time in my life that we decided kids were a great idea cause we could afford to have them even on a meager budget. i cant even imagne trying now.

Yes, and America somehow didn't seem as war crazy, which something both its parties today have a serious problem with. To be honest, it's pretty how sad how Americans today view each other as their greatest enemy, there are entire families who can't even talk to each other about politics and other things these days.

[micwini]

If they were friendlier, it's probably out of need rather than choice, because people were a little more dependable on each other, compared to today where you have access to everything at your fingertip.

No. People were more helpful, because all of their needs were met. You are much less likely to help others if your own needs remain unfulfilled. If you need every penny to come around, you are less likely to buy something for someone, or spend time on them for example.

[Itisamuh]

Definitely. Obviously it would not apply to everyone and everywhere, but with regards to my society, no question about it.

[Konteil]

i ant even argue with you about that. as much as id like too. teh world is in a pretty sorry state anymore. adn the USA is leading the way in shitty behavior.

[m4Zzo928]

I'm not sure friendlier is the word, but human maybe is the right word. Today one could argue it's more civil, which I believe it mostly is besides some un-named obvious places on the map. The internet has permeated people's psyche, so that they practically believe it's more real than the sacks of meat we see everyday. I just want to get something said too. I think it's gotten more civil, but its less real. People are more civil, but less human. It's almost as if ppl are just going through the motions so they can get back to their devices. When I'm in a say restaurant, and see ppl all on their phones, it's depressing really. Not all places are like this, and there's ppl who engage in social behavior very similar to the 90's, but it's not the norm, and one has to seek this out more than normal. We don't understand, or have proper regulations, education on our devices, and I think gen Z is going to feel it the most. Millennials got sucked into it during more young adult and on age, but the kids behaving this way is going to mess up their social lives big time. I'm actually eternally grateful for my childhood, teenage years, and young adult years being internet free.

Disclaimer, not all gen Z, or millennials have the same experience, or behavior, but I think the bulk of society mostly does, because of culture and circumstance. How would say a gen Z'r with busy parents know what a life is without a babysitting screen be? I believe this is the case because, today ppl are standing in a room together, but on devices instead of interacting, like we used to have to do. Imagine sitting in a room, with no devices but just each other, the more fun and interesting thing to do was interact, now ppl just grab their phones and pretend to interact.

[Unseen Guest]

The 90s were awesome. End of story.

[talmir]

I think you can make a thread about literally any decade within the past 300 or so years and ask the same question "Do you think (current year - 30 years) was better?" and the thread will be filled with people saying yes.

For me personally the 90's sucked.

[boyzma]

Seems to me this is more of a "let's talk about how shitty "Murica" is topic.

[VinceVega]

Depends. In Real live we are not ruder than they have been in the 90s.

Problem is basically the internet where everyone can say whatever they want whenever they want to whomever they want and now one will ever find out who you are.

Also echochambers. Youtube will only give you stuff you would want to watch. Looked up stuff about how evil SJWs are. Guess what kind of videos you will get now till the end of time? And guess who is going to think this is the opinion of everyone. Works as well with the other side but on the internet the right is a bit more prevalent becuase of out good old outrage culture.
Facebook. Twitter. Echochambers left and right.

In real life you don't say that stuff because lets be real, facing an actual human being an saytin what you read on 9gag, 4chan, facebook and mmochamp i a bit more difficult because you suddenly realize that there is someone right in front of you.

90s appear nicer becuase the internet wasn't as fucked up as it is now.

[Osperand]

I think the issue with the modern world is that the will of the majority has been overlooked for far too long now. People in power only care about minority issues (sex, race, religion etc) and these groups have changed society and made it far more difficult to live in.

Being offended now seems normalised, i think in the 90's there were many of the same conversations but you could just ignore it. Now it is literally everywhere. Has it all made the world a better place? i personally don't think so, you can see how fast society has deteriorated over the last decade especially. But hey i am older, and that is just the way of it. The old move over for the young, it is their mess, up to them what they do about it (or not).

[LeGin v3]

Yes, I'd live there. Madchester in the 90s: Hacienda, baggies, football's coming home, loveable Scallies. None of this poncey Salford Quays crap. Without a doubt: Manchester (UK) was friendlier in the 90s. Less likelihood of death.

[OwenBurton]

I think the issue with the modern world is that the will of the majority has been overlooked for far too long now. People in power only care about minority issues (sex, race, religion etc) and these groups have changed society and made it far more difficult to live in.

Being offended now seems normalised, i think in the 90's there were many of the same conversations but you could just ignore it. Now it is literally everywhere. Has it all made the world a better place? i personally don't think so, you can see how fast society has deteriorated over the last decade especially. But hey i am older, and that is just the way of it. The old move over for the young, it is their mess, up to them what they do about it (or not).

Even watching some of the older 1990s shows, or even the advertisements, sometimes evokes a very deep sense of nostalgia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRBIbKi4Mfo

I think if most Americans lived outside their country, or even tried watching some foreign movies and shows, they'd be shocked and surprised how different other peoples in other places have their priorities. For example, in poorer countries, their people just struggle every day simply to survive and make a living. It's hard to describe...I think Americans in some ways have lost touch of their ability to recognize the "basic humanity" in one another, and label each other by outer backgrounds or political affiliations more than anything these days.

[NineSpine]

I think the issue with the modern world is that the will of the majority has been overlooked for far too long now. People in power only care about minority issues (sex, race, religion etc) and these groups have changed society and made it far more difficult to live in.

Being offended now seems normalised, i think in the 90's there were many of the same conversations but you could just ignore it. Now it is literally everywhere. Has it all made the world a better place? i personally don't think so, you can see how fast society has deteriorated over the last decade especially. But hey i am older, and that is just the way of it. The old move over for the young, it is their mess, up to them what they do about it (or not).

I don't know what country you are in, but the United States has been dominated by minority rule for decades now and I don't think that is what you are talking about.

1. Trump and Bush both lost the popular vote and became Presidents anyway.
2. Democratic senators represent 44 million more people than Republican senators but the senate is 50/50.
3. On top of the above situation, senate procedure is dominated by the filibuster that gives the minority the ability to block almost anything.
4. Numerous state legislatures are so distorted that democrats receive more votes and the legislature still ends up with 65% or more republicans holding seats.
5. The majority of the Supreme Court justices, five of them, were appointed by presidents during terms where they LOST the popular vote.

Part of what makes a democratic society work is that the people feel represented, and that lets them get past divides. The reason people are so upset now is because we don't have a country that represents the majority will at all. There are vast, overwhelming majorities that want universal healthcare, tighter gun control, government-funded college, forgiving student loan debt, moving away from fossil fuels, amnesty for dreamers, more open refugee policies, less involvement in foreign wars, higher minimum wage, the list goes on and on and on. What do we get instead? The opposite of all of those things. We get Republican priorities that represent about 30% of the country at best.

This is untenable. You can't have a society completely dominated by what a small minority of citizens want. This isn't about race, sex, religion, etc. except in the sense that most Americans are very, very open minded on those subjects and our policies are very, very close minded instead BECAUSE of the minority political rule.

On top of that, that 30% is now constantly threatening violence and throwing democracy in the garbage if they don't get their way.

[Witchblade77]

people were always people. some were friendlier then others. some - were not. the main difference was in the 90ties, social media was still in its infancy, so shitposting was primarily reserved to public bathroom walls and public phone booths/awnings.

[cparle87]

2. Democratic senators represent 44 million more people than Republican senators but the senate is 50/50.

States with big populations wanted representation based on population. States with small populations wanted representation to be even no matter what. That's why we have two houses in Congress, each one does one thing. If you want representation by population you look at the House, not Senate.