From improvements in medicine to the ability to communicate through technology, society has advanced in many ways. But, while many improvements have been made, there are certain things that we have left behind that may not necessarily be for the better. We explore 21 things that have faded from our daily lives that feel like a loss
Leisure Time
While we do still have some downtime, the busyness of modern life can often stop us from truly switching off. Gone are the days of lazy Sunday afternoons spent reading or watching TV, as by mid-afternoon, our minds are preparing for the working week ahead.
Slow Food Culture
Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 36.6% of Americans consume fast food once a day. Over time, fast food and convenience meals have replaced home-cooked meals that require time and effort. While convenience has its place, time spent cooking and eating together is missed.
The Art of Conversation
Technology has become a barrier to face-to-face interactions, with people opting for text messages and emails over picking up the phone to talk. Text speak has moved to spoken word, with many people using one-word answers rather than engaging in stimulating conversation.
Handwritten Letters
Gone are the intimate handwritten letters of the past, as speedy emails are the order of the day. There’s no doubt that emails are convenient, but not many people can remember the joy of reading a personalized letter that you were excited to get from the mail carrier.
Handwriting and Cursive
With fewer handwritten letters, cursive handwriting has diminished. The dominance of digital communication means the art of handwriting is fading once we leave high school.
Printed Maps
The availability of GPS navigation, either built into our cars or on devices, means there’s no longer a demand for printed maps. Gone are the days of getting lost miles from your destination, but we are also missing out on the funny anecdotes for years to come.
Board Games and Puzzles
Some homes still play traditional board games and puzzles, but digital gaming has taken over. Traditional games paved the way for plenty of conversation and interaction, whereas many modern games are played solo on devices.
Stronger Neighborly Ties
Fast-paced lives and a fear of mixing with others have meant that Americans aren’t as neighborly as they once were. In a survey by the Pew Research Center, 57% of people said they only knew some of their neighbors, with only 26% saying they knew all of their neighbors.
Local Bookstores
With online bookstores delivering books to our homes for a fraction of the price of physical stores, local book shopping is a thing of the past for many. In a few clicks, you will have your favorite author’s latest book on your doorstep the next day, but you will miss out on the joy of browsing through bookshelves and inhaling that new book smell.
The Corner Store
Corner stores, like bookstores, large chain stores, and online grocery delivery companies, are hard to come by. The corner store is a place to chat with people in your community and is a lifeline for people otherwise isolated from society, so it is a real shame they are in decline.
Outdoor Play
Due to several factors, including busier roads and street violence, children’s free time is increasingly spent indoors on electronic devices. This means they’re missing out on the benefits of unstructured outdoor play that older generations loved when growing up.
The Library Visit
Like bookstores, libraries were once a joy to visit when you wanted to immerse yourself in the world of books. Now, existing libraries have sophisticated computer systems that tell you exactly where to find your book; some are even online.
The Value of Patience
Instant gratification and on-demand services have reduced our ability to wait and truly appreciate things. Whether we have to wait a week for the next episode of our favorite TV show or make homemade fried chicken, we rarely hear “It was worth the wait” these days.
Basic Repair Skills
Research by Big Rentz found that 38% of Americans cannot fix common household items. Our reliance on disposable goods and professional services means our basic repair skills are in decline.
The Value of Privacy
From the constant sharing of personal information on social media to CCTV everywhere we look, we can no longer fully enjoy privacy. While a lack of privacy offers us safety on the one hand, it takes away a sense of peace on the other hand.
The Importance of Craftsmanship
Mass production at a fraction of the cost of handmade goods means craftsmanship is in decline. Fewer people aren’t investing in high-quality products as they want the latest trends that can easily be discarded.
Respect for Authority
Those in a position of authority are more open to scrutiny than ever, particularly government officials and the police. While this accountability is welcomed in one sense, some criticize a lack of authority as rude and destructive.
Quality Family Time
For many, family bonds aren’t as strong as they once were, with fewer people getting together with their families regularly. A survey by Hubstaff found that 60% of Americans don’t feel they have a good work-life balance, meaning they are often too tired or stressed to relax with family.
Listening to Full Albums
Music streaming services have given us a platform to listen to the songs we want to hear repeatedly rather than having to spend time listening to a whole album. This can be good when you want to skip a song to boogie, but you often miss out on the artist’s creative vision.
Physical Activity
With more time spent on devices and social media, many Americans are not exercising as much as they used to. The CDC told us that in 2020, only 24.2% of people met their physical activity guidelines, which helped them stay fit and healthy.
Self-Reliance
It’s great that we have many people to help pick us up when we’re down, but some argue that we rely too much on others. Some argue that we were more resilient in the past and have forgotten how to be independent.
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