8 hours ago, johnnybangkok said:

It depends on what colour you are.

You old white men always have this unrealistic fondness for 1960's nostalgia, conveniently forgetting that a large swathe of your population suffered systemic inequality, pervasive legal segregation (Jim Crow), constant threats of violence (including severe police brutality and threats from white supremacist groups like the Ku Klux Klan). There was also economic marginalization, limiting housing choices, higher education, and career paths.

So those rose tinted glasses you so love to wear give a very differently view depending on what colour your skin is/was.

Older white British males suffer the same affliction.

1 hour ago, Cameroni said:

Pornography has improved hugely. Less hair, more perversion than the Marquis could have ever imagined. You weren't even allowed to have porn in the 60s. Now it's a click away. And the quality is better than it has ever been.

Channeling one's inner gynaecologist.

52 minutes ago, Tug said:

Ahh I only occasionally drink and then in moderation and just how are you conflating that I hate my country because I share the same revulsion the vast majority of Americans feel for trump…..ehh???

res ipsa loquitor

21 hours ago, Nemises said:

Gamma, I think you’ve accidentally answered your own question.

You’ve asked what is better in 2026 than 1960, while posting the question on a computer, over the internet, to people you’ve never met, using a platform that didn’t exist in 1960. 😂

In 1960, if you wanted to ask this question, you’d probably have to find a typewriter, put it in an envelope, lick a stamp and wait several days for someone to disagree with you.

And if you wanted to check whether they were right, you’d have to go to the library.

Personally, I’m going to nominate antibiotics, modern surgery, air conditioning, GPS, smartphones, instant global communication, cheap international air travel, online banking, streaming, and the small matter of not having to get up and change the channel on the television.

But apart from all that… yeah, I’m struggling too. 😎

I could do without all those you mention. In 1960, we had a sense of safety and community that has disappeared, perhaps due to the human crush.

Libraries are free and reliable, which AI is not. Typewriters are no more difficult to use and everybody loves getting mail.

We had more time....

The challenge of reflecting on the past is that people do so wearing rose colored glasses.

On 8/11/2026 at 5:09 AM, Yagoda said:

lyndon johnson, like most democrats, was a racist

🤣

What of it?

Edited August 11Aug 11 by KornPop

19 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Everything was better in 1960.

Except for survival after heart attack, treatment of heart disease, treatment of stroke, cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment, childhood cancer survival, infant survival, maternal survival, neonatal intensive care, premature-baby survival, vaccines, antibiotics, antiviral drugs, diabetes treatment, insulin technology, blood-pressure treatment, cholesterol treatment, organ transplantation, dialysis, joint replacement, cataract surgery, LASIK and modern vision correction, hearing aids, dental care, anesthesia and surgical safety, automobile crash protection, seat belts, airbags, child car seats, smoke detectors, fire-resistant building standards, workplace safety, food safety, food refrigeration, water treatment, sewage treatment, cleaner drinking water, cleaner air, reduced exposure to industrial pollutants, emergency medical services, 911 emergency response, weather forecasting, tornado warnings, hurricane forecasting, earthquake monitoring, internet, search engines, smartphones, GPS, instant messaging, video calls, email, digital photography, streaming television, streaming music, online banking, online shopping, digital maps, real-time traffic information, artificial intelligence, personal computers, cloud storage, cheap digital data storage, instant access to scientific literature, instant access to world news, air travel safety, airline navigation, jet aircraft, global air travel, modern automobiles, automatic transmissions, fuel injection, electronic engine management, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, GPS navigation, ride-sharing, high-speed interstates, modern public transportation systems, much faster international travel, air conditioning, central heating, modern insulation, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, microwave ovens, modern cooking appliances, water heaters, modern plumbing, vacuum cleaners, robot vacuums, home internet, massive variety of foods available year-round, online price comparison, huge variety of consumer products, credit and debit cards, electronic payments, affordable entertainment.

Other than that... 😁

...and yet people are broke, sick, miserable and without hope for a future

Funny that

Just now, KornPop said:

...and yet people are broke, sick, miserable and without hope for a future

Funny that

This will always be the case. You can't escape the normal distribution in the biological world.

6 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

I could do without all those you mention. In 1960, we had a sense of safety and community that has disappeared, perhaps due to the human crush.

Libraries are free and reliable, which AI is not. Typewriters are no more difficult to use and everybody loves getting mail.

We had more time....

That’s fair enough — but “I could do without them” isn’t really the same as saying they haven’t made life better. 😂

I could also do without electricity, refrigeration, antibiotics, air conditioning, GPS and a mobile phone. I’d just rather not find out how well I’d manage without them.

The question was what is better today than in 1960, not what we could theoretically survive without. 😉

Edited August 12Aug 12 by Nemises

13 hours ago, Tug said:

Ahh I only occasionally drink and then in moderation and just how are you conflating that I hate my country because I share the same revulsion the vast majority of Americans feel for trump…..ehh???

Not worth attempting that conversation.

From the USA. That's a tough one. I'm going to refer to 1960 - 1965, since that's where my early memories begin. Today you can't support a working class family with house and car with a single salary as everyone did then with mom home with the kids and dad at work 9-5, there are no more retirement pensions, mom and pop businesses are gone, the human touch is gone, on the other hand the advances in technology especially with phones, computers, internet, giant TV, are all mind boggling. No one is ever out of reach of anyone, and that's especially important for staying safe. Cameras, videos though they can be overdone are a pure blessing compared to the 60s. Why, in the 60s we had to draw stuff, no cameras in our back pockets. Beyond that it mostly depends on where you are, how much you make, and what color you are. Blatant hate and bigotry are rampant and someone has signaled his peeps that it's now OK to spread hate and ignorance, despite the right and wrong that our parents taught kids of the 60s. The country is divided against itself almost as badly as it was during the civil war. For the average working family right now times are tough and it's a struggle to make ends meet. People working 2, sometimes 3 jobs. In short, the US pretty much sucks unless you're well off enough to buy a prime piece of it and roll up the sidewalks behind you at night..

This is a stupid conversation.

Each year the quality of life gets shi++ier and shi++ier.

The inflation, the fake scarcity, the wars, the debt

The fees, the taxes, the planned obsolescence, the governments literally trying to destroy humanity...

The stench in the middle east

Each year confirms how living in Thailand was a solid choice.

Edited August 12Aug 12 by KornPop

Obviously many things will be subjective.

The average life expectancy has increased. the United States in 1960, the average overall life expectancy at birth was approximately 69.7 to 69.8 years . Today it is 79. Take that however you want.

Easier and better access to nutritious foods. Granted one has to smart shop and not go to fast food drive thrus.

Better health care is available in general.

Housing in general is more comfortable. Air Conditioning for example much more common. Again subjective is this is better.

Access to information is "easier" and more available, although AI and Copilot stuff is dragging things down as far as accuracy and completeness.

39 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Not worth attempting that conversation.

I know but it’s fun to agitate our keyboard warrior from time to time lol!😂

In 1960, one needed 76 ounces of gold to buy a mid-range sedan. Now, it only takes 7 ounces, which shows how much governments have debased their currencies.

In Australia, the average life expectancy in 1960 was 71 years. In 2026, it is 83 years.

Swings and roundabouts.

5 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

Today you can't support a working class family with house and car with a single salary as everyone did then

That's because from the 60s women entered the work force en masse. This doubled the workforce so it's only logical two salaries are now required to pay for the same. Supply and Demand. The feminists ruined our world. Just think what traffic would be like if only men were driving like in the 60s. What a pleasure it would be.

On 8/11/2026 at 3:10 AM, swissie said:

GG that's a "no brainer". In 1960 a husband was able to support a wife and 3 children financially. Today (unless employed in a high paying job) has to have 2 to 3 jobs to achieve the same goal.

In the 60s kids didn't get new cars, iPhones, iPads, PCs, Gaming setups, thousand dollar Prom dress as well a huge Prom costs, latest NIKE sneakers (every 6 months...or sooner), newest apparel, jet skis, Aspen ski trips etc...... back 60 years ago we earned most of what we got.

In the 60s very few lived in 3,000 ft 5 bedroom houses where every kid had their own bedroom as well as bathroom. We shared as well as wearing hand-me-downs or having a second hand bike.

Kids these days are spoiled, thus the need for 2 parents working.

On 8/11/2026 at 4:10 AM, spidermike007 said:

Many would argue that technology has raised the quality of life, and it certainly has to some degree. The biggest issue facing the average person these days is the cost of living, and the quality of life has diminished dramatically in regard to inflation and the fact that wages have not come anywhere close to keeping up with inflation. Anything labor related in America right now is priced at a very ridiculous level.

Back in the 1960s a postal carrier could buy a nice house for his family. These days if you don't own a home free and clear you're pretty much screwed back in the West. Here nearly any of us can afford to rent, thankfully.

Those who have significant pensions and savings will argue that the quality of life has gone up, but the majority of the planet would argue that the quality of life has definitely gone down.

We tend to forget: Especially in the US there are many people that own stocks. We had an impressive 6 year "Bull Run". All sitting on "paper profits", allowing for more "credit". Same thing applies to Pension Funds.

What (for whatever reason) if we should enter a massive Bear Market (once more)?

A tremendeous "evaporation" of wealth as a result. Never before has the world economy depended more on "the health of the stock markets".

May the stock markets remain "healthy", otherwise..........

21 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Channeling one's inner gynaecologist.

I do like front row seats! And there was certainly porn out of Netherlands And Scandinavia, illegal today.

9 hours ago, Jonathan Swift said:

From the USA. That's a tough one. I'm going to refer to 1960 - 1965, since that's where my early memories begin. Today you can't support a working class family with house and car with a single salary as everyone did then with mom home with the kids and dad at work 9-5, there are no more retirement pensions, mom and pop businesses are gone, the human touch is gone, on the other hand the advances in technology especially with phones, computers, internet, giant TV, are all mind boggling. No one is ever out of reach of anyone, and that's especially important for staying safe. Cameras, videos though they can be overdone are a pure blessing compared to the 60s. Why, in the 60s we had to draw stuff, no cameras in our back pockets. Beyond that it mostly depends on where you are, how much you make, and what color you are. Blatant hate and bigotry are rampant and someone has signaled his peeps that it's now OK to spread hate and ignorance, despite the right and wrong that our parents taught kids of the 60s. The country is divided against itself almost as badly as it was during the civil war. For the average working family right now times are tough and it's a struggle to make ends meet. People working 2, sometimes 3 jobs. In short, the US pretty much sucks unless you're well off enough to buy a prime piece of it and roll up the sidewalks behind you at night..

And the division still exists, all the racism of Jim Crow but against other PoC.

5 hours ago, Lacessit said:

In 1960, one needed 76 ounces of gold to buy a mid-range sedan. Now, it only takes 7 ounces, which shows how much governments have debased their currencies.

In Australia, the average life expectancy in 1960 was 71 years. In 2026, it is 83 years.

Swings and roundabouts.

We would have far less of a population crisis if people still died at 70.

Deathclock predicts me living to 95! I hope not...

2 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

In the 60s kids didn't get new cars, iPhones, iPads, PCs, Gaming setups, thousand dollar Prom dress as well a huge Prom costs, latest NIKE sneakers (every 6 months...or sooner), newest apparel, jet skis, Aspen ski trips etc...... back 60 years ago we earned most of what we got.

In the 60s very few lived in 3,000 ft 5 bedroom houses where every kid had their own bedroom as well as bathroom. We shared as well as wearing hand-me-downs or having a second hand bike.

Kids these days are spoiled, thus the need for 2 parents working.

And saved what we earned! Because...no credit cards!

Edited August 12Aug 12 by unblocktheplanet
add

21 minutes ago, swissie said:

We tend to forget: Especially in the US there are many people that own stocks. We had an impressive 6 year "Bull Run". All sitting on "paper profits", allowing for more "credit". Same thing applies to Pension Funds.

What (for whatever reason) if we should enter a massive Bear Market (once more)?

A tremendeous "evaporation" of wealth as a result. Never before has the world economy depended more on "the health of the stock markets".

May the stock markets remain "healthy", otherwise..........

What goes up, inevitably returns back down.

This is not a question of IF.....

It is possible that most people are living above their means, at the moment.

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

That's because from the 60s women entered the work force en masse. This doubled the workforce so it's only logical two salaries are now required to pay for the same. Supply and Demand. The feminists ruined our world. Just think what traffic would be like if only men were driving like in the 60s. What a pleasure it would be.

Well, you could always emigrate to Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan to pleasure yourself.

Statistically, women drivers are significantly less likely to be involved in fatal accidents. I'll pass on going back to the sixties.

9 hours ago, KornPop said:

Each year confirms how living in Thailand was a solid choice.

You must be new here.

19 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

And saved what we earned! Because...no credit cards!

I had an Amex card for about a year in the eighties. I had to ask myself why I was shelling out money for a card that would put me in debt, when I could have a free debit card from my bank.

7 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Well, you could always emigrate to Saudi Arabia

Sadly not, even the Saudi ruler, MBS, kowtows to the feminists and now allows women to drive.

Of course they're careful drivers, but they clog the roads.

21 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

What goes up, inevitably returns back down.

This is not a question of IF.....

It is possible that most people are living above their means, at the moment.

Yes definitly. Including whole Countries. As you quoted correctly, it's not a question of "if", rather "when".

4 hours ago, Cameroni said:

That's because from the 60s women entered the work force en masse. This doubled the workforce so it's only logical two salaries are now required to pay for the same. Supply and Demand. The feminists ruined our world. Just think what traffic would be like if only men were driving like in the 60s. What a pleasure it would be.

I worked for Aramco for several years. My office was on the second floor and I had to contend with wall-to-wall cock-waving and BS from the self-entitled, all-male graduate Saudi's that fell under my tutelage. They lived for their weekend over the causeway in Bahrain, whoring and drinking while doing everything possible to avoid an honest day's work back in the office and field.

On my final year, I was promoted to a position on the third floor, among senior local management. We had female personal assistants and secretaries, and it was a blissful oasis of professional calm and sensibility away from the testosterone-fuelled nonsense below. It made me appreciate women's place in the workforce even more.

Have you seen the way that Saudi men drive?

2 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I worked for Aramco for several years. My office was on the second floor and I had to contend with wall-to-wall cock-waving and BS from the self-entitled, all-male graduate Saudi's that fell under my tutelage. They lived for their weekend over the causeway in Bahrain, whoring and drinking while doing everything possible to avoid an honest day's work back in the office and field.

An old co-worker of mine from the UK used to work in Saudi Arabia; he used to tell me similar stories. I used to work for an MSP and hated dealing with the customers from Saudi Arabia.