I have always had a strong interest for the decades and how society functioned in the past. I always enjoyed hearing my dad talk about how things were different in the 80's, how people who barely knew how to play their instruments made songs that changed the entire decade, how dating, and social construct made more sense. There are plenty of things that America seemingly has forgotten how to do, and or do correctly. Here are some of them.

1. Dating

I remember as I would sit and talk to my dad, and he would explain to me how dating used to be handled. Dating used to come before relationships, (not saying people don't go on dates anymore), but there was a sort of lightheartedness to the word. Going on a date didn't mean that you had it all figured out, or that you planned on advancing with said person, it was more of a mutual experience. It taught one how to handle these situations, instead of people becoming awkward over a simple date. It was not a huge deal if the chemistry was not there, it would than become practice and both parties could respectful step away but enjoy each others presence none the less.

2. DIY and Creating Your Own Opportunities

Another thing I loved hearing about from my dad was the music of the 80's. He expressed how everyone and their grandma were forming bands, self recording records, and creating graphics and identities for music scenes all by themselves. He also played the drums but expressed he was not very good. None the less he was in several bands, did the artwork for a self recorded record, and got their album stocked in several record stores across America. Not everything had to be perfect, and not everyone had to be professionals, to create meaning full work. Rather than waiting for others to show them the ropes, people created business with sheer effort and trial and error. They didn't need that cushy degree that ensured them a safe opportunity in some desk job.

3. Self Expression and Sub Culture

Another dying art in America is self expression. I love researching and learning about different sub cultures that crossed America and England, lending a voice to the youth, and clothes and music, that expressed what they felt. Now we don't see this as much, there is no more sub culture, in the sense that there used to be. More or less, we see athletic kids who if they are feeling out there, wear Adidas rather than Nike, and the "hipster" which tries to claim they are pushing the envelope when they really are not accomplishing anything. Their clothes all coming from the same store, and their styles that can even simple seem inconvenient, and just ironic in a bad sense. People used to know how to push the envelope, each style was not constricted, and people didn't have that cookie cutter image about them. It made it so much more personal. When people expressed themselves their friend groups and relationships meant that much more. It is easy to associate yourself with someone who looks like everyone else but it is risky to associate with those who go against the grain.

5. The Internet:

we simply didn't rely on it...

Whenever I use my phone or internet too much I feel negative, I wish at times I could just not touch my phone for days, but people need to contact me. There is life out there that is better than our phones, why do we sit in a room with people we know and not give them our full attention? They are the people with us who cared enough to be around us and they deserve our affections. I am a strong believer that what every person offers is the same, and that person in front of you is just as good and probably better than that person on the line. We have lost the ability to connect in person, and our interactions become bland and shallow.

6. Politics

We used to be able to have conversations with our neighbors about beliefs, and than we were able to put them aside, and separate them from our lives. We didn't have to know their political preference before we knew if we could be friends with them, in-fact most of us didn't even know their preferences. If someone had different beliefs we didn't demonize them but we rather tried to see their side of the story.