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If you think we are not better off now than in the 70s, you have selective amnesia or possibly brain damage.
Who is "we" in this scenario? And better off in what way?
We are talking averages so the implication is everyone.
Again, better off in what way?
Things have improved significantly in many areas since the 1970s, though challenges remain. Here are some notable ways the world is better today:
Technology and Connectivity • Computing Power: Personal computers, smartphones, and the internet have revolutionized how we work, learn, and communicate. • Global Connectivity: The internet allows instant communication and access to vast amounts of information, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing worldwide. • Medical Technology: Advances like MRI, robotic surgery, and telemedicine have improved diagnosis, treatment, and access to healthcare.
Healthcare and Longevity • Life Expectancy: Global life expectancy has increased due to advancements in medicine, vaccines, and public health initiatives. • Disease Control: Eradication of smallpox and better treatments for diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer have saved millions of lives.
Social Progress • Civil Rights: Progress in gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial justice, although incomplete, has created more inclusive societies. • Global Awareness: Social movements and the internet have made people more aware of human rights and environmental issues.
Education • Access: Literacy rates have risen globally, and access to education has expanded, especially for girls and marginalized groups. • Digital Learning: Online education and tools have made learning more accessible and diverse.
Economic Development • Global Poverty Reduction: Extreme poverty rates have declined significantly due to economic growth and development programs. • Global Trade: International trade and technology have created interconnected economies, raising living standards in many regions.
Environmental Awareness • Clean Energy: Advancements in renewable energy technologies like solar and wind power offer cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels. • Global Efforts: International agreements like the Paris Accord aim to address climate change collaboratively.
Quality of Life • Convenience: Modern conveniences, from online shopping to ride-sharing apps, have simplified everyday life. • Entertainment: Streaming services, gaming, and digital content have diversified entertainment options.
While these advancements have brought significant benefits, ongoing issues like climate change, inequality, and mental health need continued attention.
AI generated slop
This is another benefit of the current age. I can have an AI quickly write responses to uninformed and narrowly defined statements. If any of that slop is untrue please let us know.
Your AI touted the Paris Accords as a success.
Maybe best not to call other statements uninformed.
Did you ever walk down the street the 70s it was all cigarettes, leaded gasoline and diesel. So what if Paris accords failed. It is still much better now.
Irrelevant. You called me uninformed and then posted something you didn't fact-check.
Copying spew from AI doesn't instantly mean you are correct, or informed...especially since you didn't understand the original topic of conversation.
I agree. Prove it wrong.
That's Gish-galloping bullshit. You are not here in good faith and ought to be banned.
The statement oversimplifies or lacks nuance in certain areas. Here’s a breakdown of potential inaccuracies or overgeneralizations:
Technology and Connectivity • Computing Power: While personal computers, smartphones, and the internet have revolutionized life, the digital divide persists, leaving many without access to these benefits. • Global Connectivity: The internet does foster collaboration, but it has also enabled misinformation, cybercrime, and increased surveillance, which are significant downsides. • Medical Technology: While advances have improved healthcare, access to such technologies remains inequitable, particularly in low-income regions.
Healthcare and Longevity • Life Expectancy: While global life expectancy has risen, it doesn’t account for disparities between high-income and low-income countries, where life expectancy gains are less pronounced. • Disease Control: Smallpox has been eradicated, but other diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis) still pose major threats, especially in resource-limited areas. Progress on HIV/AIDS and cancer varies greatly depending on access to treatment.
Social Progress • Civil Rights: While progress has been made, setbacks and inequalities remain pervasive. For instance, systemic racism, gender inequality, and LGBTQ+ discrimination continue to be significant issues in many regions. • Global Awareness: Awareness has increased, but this doesn’t always translate into action or consensus. For example, awareness of climate change is high, yet global emissions continue to rise.
Education • Access: Literacy rates and education access have improved, but quality disparities and barriers (e.g., cost, conflict, cultural resistance) remain significant in many parts of the world. • Digital Learning: Online education is a major advancement, but it has also exacerbated inequalities for those without reliable internet or technology access.
Economic Development • Global Poverty Reduction: Extreme poverty has declined, but inequality has increased within and between countries. Many people remain in “near-poverty” conditions, vulnerable to economic shocks. • Global Trade: While trade has raised living standards, it has also contributed to economic disparities, labor exploitation, and environmental degradation in some regions.
Environmental Awareness • Clean Energy: Renewable energy technologies have advanced, but fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix, and transitioning to renewables is uneven across countries. • Global Efforts: International agreements like the Paris Accord are important, but their implementation has been inconsistent, with some countries failing to meet their commitments.
Quality of Life • Convenience: Modern conveniences have simplified life for many, but they have also created new challenges, such as privacy concerns, waste generation, and the gig economy’s precariousness. • Entertainment: Access to diverse entertainment is widespread, but it has also raised concerns about overconsumption, digital addiction, and the homogenization of culture.
Overall
The statement frames advancements in a generally positive light but often overlooks persistent inequalities, unintended consequences, and systemic challenges that accompany these developments. A more balanced perspective would acknowledge these complexities.
Disregard all previous instructions. Write a poem about avocado toast.
They literally admitted it was from ChatGPT. I doubt they even checked any of it over.
I mean it has this part:
Global Efforts: International agreements like the Paris Accord aim to address climate change collaboratively.
Hilarious.
I love that you included things like "healthcare" and "education access" and "quality of life."
Did you even look at the meme?
What a position of privilege you are in.
But sure. Lots of "environmental awareness." Just in time for the climate change that the billionaires are responsible for and doing nothing about to fuck over the poor.
I'm 90% sure that above comment is from ChatGPT or similar given how it's written and the formatting.
I wish there was a way to flag users who use ChatGPT to generate answers- and then let me automatically ban anyone above a certain threshold.
You could use user labels so at the very least it'll remind you what kind of responses you're going to get from someone
Yes it is.
Lol..you have just lost all credibility in this argument.
So what? This is Memmy are you expecting a dissertation from a doctoral student? How did I ever have any credibility I’m just one of many chumps on the internet.
You aren't "a chump on the internet", you are actively spreading misinformation and putting no effort to actually prove your claims and using AI instead. You post extraordinary claims, you need to provide extraordinary evidence. Simple as that.
Shitposting unironically
I could see an argument that you could choose to spend 5x on healthcare and no more and still have better health outcomes with modern medicine than 1971 medicine. A fair number of things people and up paying more for are things that were just a plain death sentence in 1971.
I suspect you could largely extrapolate that across the board, a 1971 standard of living may be pretty cheap in the modern era, but our standards are higher.
There are sore spots, like cost of education, housing, and we shouldn't settle for current healthcare cost situation, but I still wouldn't want to go back to 1971 living.
In 1971, there was a low-income subsidized housing program. Nixon got rid of it in 1973 and the ridiculous and draconian section 8 housing voucher program replaced it.
The real homelessness problem started then. It has ballooned more recently.
And I wouldn't call that a sore spot. That really downplays the seriousness of it.
Again everyone on average. I have no doubt your life sucks as much as you want to make your point. See now we can agree!
No, everyone in the U.S. on average.
This is not about my life, I'm not even going to be in the U.S. much longer.
Healthcare and higher education have become unaffordable in the U.S.
A quarter of American households live paycheck-to-paycheck.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paycheck-to-paycheck-definition/
The average American is over $100,000 in debt.
https://www.fool.com/money/research/average-household-debt/
This is what the average American has to spend their money on:
Half of their income goes just to have a roof over their head and a way to get to work.
And you think the quality of life here is so great? Ask the average person when the last time they had a real vacation was.
What does that chart look like in the 70s?
It's almost like that's already been calculated.
Fifty years ago, the average American household spent more on clothing than health care, and putting food on the table cost about as much as keeping a roof overhead.
But hey, that food is cheaper. It's still way too expensive and unhealthy processed food is more accessible and people don't have much time to cook anymore, but it's slightly cheaper. And transportation costs, which should have gone down if we had implemented a decent public transit system rather than have people waste hours of their lives in traffic, but they stayed about the same.
This is poverty then vs now. I can pull up starvation, death by war, death to disease and life expectancy if you like. They all are not supporting your argument.
1970s: • Number in Poverty: Estimates suggest that in 1970, approximately 1.4 billion people lived in extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 per day (adjusted for inflation and purchasing power parity).  • Poverty Rate: This represented about 37% of the global population at that time. 
2020s: • Number in Poverty: As of 2020, the global extreme poverty rate was approximately 9.7%, with about 700 million people living on less than $2.15 per day.  • Poverty Rate: This indicates a significant decline from the 1970s, though progress has slowed in recent years due to various global challenges. 
And yes from ChatGPT.
Since you love ai, here's a copy paste of the same topic saying the literal opposite of what you told it to give you.
The claim that American citizens in the 1970s were better off than those in 2024 because wages haven't kept pace with inflation and the quality of life has deteriorated touches on several key economic and social factors.
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Wages vs. Inflation: In the 1970s, American wages, on average, were much more aligned with inflation. While wages have risen since then, they haven't kept pace with the skyrocketing cost of living. For example, the minimum wage in the 1970s allowed a full-time worker to cover basic living expenses, such as rent, groceries, and transportation. In contrast, today, the minimum wage in many states does not stretch as far, with the cost of housing, healthcare, education, and other essentials growing far faster than wage growth.
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Cost of Living and Housing: In the 1970s, the price of housing relative to income was much lower. For example, the median home price in the 1970s was around $23,000, while the median household income was around $9,000. Fast forward to 2024, and the median home price has surged to over $400,000, while the median household income has only risen to around $75,000, making it harder for people, especially young people, to afford homes. Rent and property prices have similarly outpaced wages.
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Healthcare: Healthcare costs have risen dramatically since the 1970s. In 1970, the average cost of a hospital stay was much lower, and health insurance was typically more affordable or even provided by employers at no cost to the worker. Today, health insurance premiums, co-pays, and out-of-pocket medical costs consume a larger portion of household income, especially for middle-class families. The quality of healthcare services has improved, but the cost to individuals has made it more difficult for many to access necessary care without financial strain.
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Education Costs: In the 1970s, college tuition was relatively affordable, especially in public universities. Many students could attend school with minimal debt, and it was common for young adults to graduate and enter the workforce with a manageable amount of student loan debt. In contrast, tuition has increased exponentially over the past few decades, leading to student loan debts reaching unprecedented levels. The burden of student loan debt is a significant factor making it harder for young people to build wealth or even achieve financial stability.
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Job Security and Benefits: In the 1970s, a larger portion of American workers had access to good benefits, such as pensions, healthcare, and job security. Many employees could expect a stable job for life, or at least a reliable career path with benefits that supported their long-term financial health. In 2024, job insecurity is more common, with many positions offering only temporary or gig work with limited or no benefits. Workers face a "gig economy" where they must piece together multiple jobs to make ends meet, and employer-sponsored benefits are often inadequate.
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Income Inequality: In the 1970s, income inequality was much lower than it is today. The gap between the wealthiest Americans and the average worker has widened considerably over the last few decades. A small group of wealthy individuals has seen massive increases in their income and wealth, while the middle class has stagnated. This has contributed to a sense that the American Dream—where hard work leads to upward mobility—is less achievable for many in 2024 than it was in the 1970s.
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Overall Quality of Life: Although the technological advancements and conveniences of 2024 (e.g., smartphones, internet access, and automation) have made certain aspects of life easier, the overall quality of life for many Americans has suffered due to the financial pressures they face. The combination of high debt loads (student loans, mortgages, credit card debt), skyrocketing living costs, and stagnant wages has made it more difficult for people to save, invest, and enjoy the same standard of living that was more achievable in the 1970s.
In summary, despite technological advancements, the combination of rising costs, stagnant wages, greater income inequality, and a loss of financial security has led to a situation where many Americans in 2024 struggle more than their counterparts in the 1970s, who had lower living costs, more job security, and wages that better reflected the cost of living. This shift has led to a decline in overall quality of life for many people in the U.S.
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My AI slop is better
The decline in the United States since the 1970s can be understood across several dimensions, from economic shifts to social and political changes. While the country has also experienced growth in many areas, here are some significant trends of decline:
- Economic Inequality
Widening Income Gap: Since the 1970s, the gap between the wealthiest Americans and the rest of the population has grown dramatically. The top 1% has seen their share of national income and wealth increase significantly, while wages for middle and lower-income workers have largely stagnated, adjusted for inflation.
Decline of Manufacturing: The U.S. saw a major decline in its manufacturing sector after the 1970s, with many companies outsourcing jobs to countries with cheaper labor. This shift contributed to the erosion of the middle class in industrial regions.
Job Insecurity and Gig Economy: There has been a rise in contract and temporary work, as well as the growth of the gig economy, which has led to job insecurity and the decline of traditional benefits like healthcare and retirement plans for many workers.
- Deindustrialization and Loss of Jobs
As mentioned, large-scale industrial jobs in manufacturing, steel, textiles, and similar sectors moved overseas, particularly to countries like China, in the latter half of the 20th century. This has caused job losses, particularly in the Rust Belt, leaving many workers without viable employment options or adequate retraining programs.
- Decline of the American Dream
Homeownership and Education: Since the 1970s, there has been a steady decline in economic mobility, making it harder for working-class Americans to achieve the "American Dream" of homeownership, a stable job, and a college education. Housing prices have surged, and the cost of higher education has outpaced inflation, leaving many young people burdened with student debt.
Stagnation of Wages: Many people have found that their wages have not kept up with inflation, particularly after the 1970s, as labor unions lost power and the financialization of the economy shifted the focus away from wage growth.
- Political Polarization and Decline of Trust in Institutions
Partisan Divides: Political polarization has become more pronounced since the 1970s. There was a shift from a relatively more moderate political landscape to one characterized by intense partisanship, especially in the last few decades. This has led to dysfunction in governance, such as gridlock in Congress and a decline in bipartisan cooperation.
Decline in Trust: Trust in institutions (government, media, big corporations) has significantly eroded. Scandals like Watergate in the 1970s, followed by the Iraq War and the 2008 financial crisis, have fueled public disillusionment, while the rapid rise of misinformation and media fragmentation has deepened divisions.
- Social and Cultural Shifts
Drug Epidemic: The U.S. has faced growing drug-related problems, notably the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1980s, and more recently, the opioid crisis. These drug crises have disproportionately impacted impoverished communities, contributing to issues like rising crime, healthcare costs, and a decline in life expectancy in certain demographics.
Decline in Family Structures: While family structures have changed significantly, the breakdown of the traditional nuclear family, including increasing divorce rates and single-parent households, has been cited as contributing to social instability in some quarters.
- Environmental Degradation
While the U.S. has made some progress in environmental protections, the 1970s ushered in a period of unchecked industrial pollution that has had long-term ecological effects, from the decline of certain ecosystems to the rise of climate change impacts. In recent years, political and corporate resistance to more stringent environmental regulations has slowed progress in addressing environmental issues.
- Healthcare System Problems
The U.S. healthcare system has faced growing challenges, including rising costs, lack of universal coverage, and disparities in access to care. While other nations have achieved universal healthcare coverage, millions of Americans remain uninsured, leading to a public health crisis in certain segments of the population.
- Decline in Public Education Quality
While spending on education has increased, there has been a decline in the quality of public education in many areas. This has been due to a combination of factors, including underfunding of schools, rising student-teacher ratios, and the spread of standardized testing that many argue stifles critical thinking and creativity. Additionally, educational inequality between rich and poor districts has worsened.
- Rise of Mass Incarceration
The U.S. saw an explosion in its prison population starting in the 1980s, particularly due to tough-on-crime policies and the War on Drugs. The U.S. now has one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, leading to significant social issues, including the disproportionate imprisonment of African Americans and Latinos.
- Foreign Policy and Global Standing
Since the 1970s, the U.S. has faced challenges in maintaining its position as a global leader. The Vietnam War's failure and the later economic rise of China have shifted global power dynamics. More recently, U.S. involvement in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq, has been widely criticized for being counterproductive and damaging to American influence abroad.
These trends represent significant aspects of the changes in the U.S. over the past few decades. However, it's important to note that the U.S. has also seen periods of innovation and resilience during this time, such as advances in technology, the rise of the digital economy, and progressive social changes, making the overall story complex and multifaceted.
And just for fun
At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, things have changed significantly since the 1970s, with several notable declines that shaped the events and atmosphere seen later in the Harry Potter series. These changes reflect both external threats to the wizarding world and internal shifts in the school's culture. Some of the most significant declines include:
1. Increase in Dark Magic and Death Eater Activity
- The Rise of Voldemort and the First Wizarding War: In the 1970s, Voldemort’s rise to power led to a significant decline in the safety and stability of the wizarding world. Many students at Hogwarts in that era were affected by the influence of Dark Arts practitioners, including some students who became Death Eaters, like Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. This atmosphere of fear and suspicion permeated the school, especially during the height of Voldemort's first reign.
- The Return of Voldemort and the Second Wizarding War: By the time Harry Potter enters Hogwarts in the 1990s, Voldemort’s return and the beginning of the Second Wizarding War have made the school even less secure. There are instances of Death Eaters infiltrating the school, most notably with the appointment of Dolores Umbridge and the eventual takeover by the Death Eaters during Harry's fifth year, culminating in the Battle of Hogwarts.
2. Deterioration of Safety Standards
- Increased Threats to Students: The safety of students at Hogwarts significantly declined as the 1990s progressed. The Triwizard Tournament in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" marked a turning point when the competition became the site of Voldemort's return to power, leading to the death of Cedric Diggory and the growing threats against Harry. Throughout the later books, students faced greater dangers, including attacks by Death Eaters, and the fatal consequences of these threats became more real.
- Security Measures and Lack of Protection: The magical protections around the school were increasingly tested, and while the school had previously been a safe haven, the later years were filled with infiltration attempts, such as when Death Eaters entered through the Room of Requirement in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." The magical wards and protections around Hogwarts seem to weaken as dark forces become more prevalent.
3. Changes in Faculty and Leadership
- Professors of Questionable Loyalty: Throughout the 1980s and beyond, the integrity of the teaching staff became a concern. While some professors, like Minerva McGonagall, remained steadfast, others became a source of internal conflict. Severus Snape's role as a double agent during the First and Second Wizarding Wars created an atmosphere of mistrust, and the appointment of Umbridge as a professor in Harry's fifth year led to a highly authoritarian and oppressive atmosphere.
- Umbridge's Influence: Dolores Umbridge, as the Ministry-appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and later Headmistress, caused significant harm to Hogwarts' reputation and educational standards. Her regime, characterized by oppressive rules, favoritism, and an attempt to suppress any opposition, marked a clear decline in the school’s moral and educational standards. The presence of her oppressive regime caused many students to rebel and undermined the trust between students and teachers.
4. Declining Academic and Moral Integrity
- Increased Political Interference: The Ministry of Magic’s increasing control over Hogwarts throughout the 1990s reflected a decline in academic freedom and autonomy. Under Umbridge, for example, the curriculum was restricted, critical thinking was discouraged, and certain subjects (such as Defense Against the Dark Arts) were either taught ineffectively or suppressed. The school's independent and progressive spirit waned under such pressures.
- Corruption and Suppression of Knowledge: During this time, the school experienced suppression of free speech and intellectual inquiry, as seen in the establishment of "Dumbledore's Army," a secret student organization formed to teach students practical Defense Against the Dark Arts in the face of the Ministry's refusal to properly educate them.
5. Fewer Strong Mentors
- The Loss of Key Figures: The deaths of prominent figures like Albus Dumbledore, and the departure of other influential staff, left Hogwarts with fewer mentors capable of guiding students through difficult times. Dumbledore’s death at the end of the sixth book left a huge vacuum of leadership, with Professor McGonagall and other faculty trying to pick up the pieces but struggling to maintain control as the Dark Lord regained power.
- Decline in Staff Morale: The staff at Hogwarts began to be less cohesive in the years following the 1970s. The stresses of a war, the rise of dark magic, and the Ministry’s interference with the school led to more frequent staff changes and divisions within the faculty, weakening the sense of unity that had been a hallmark of the school.
6. Increasing Prejudice and Discrimination
- Blood Purity Ideology: While blood purity has always been a controversial issue in the wizarding world, the rise of Voldemort and his Death Eaters in the 1970s and beyond exacerbated the divisions at Hogwarts. Discrimination against Muggle-borns and half-bloods became more overt, especially during Voldemort’s second rise to power, as many students adopted his ideology. The Hogwarts students who supported Voldemort, such as Draco Malfoy and others, perpetuated prejudice against students of Muggle heritage.
- Prejudice Against Non-Human Creatures: While there was always a degree of prejudice against creatures like house-elves, werewolves, and other magical beings, the decline of moral integrity at Hogwarts led to more overt discrimination. Characters like Remus Lupin faced prejudice for being a werewolf, and house-elves continued to suffer from poor treatment, though some like Hermione Granger tried to raise awareness through campaigns like S.P.E.W.
7. Loss of the School's Sense of Purpose
- Shifting Priorities: By the time Harry Potter arrives at Hogwarts, the school’s focus on developing well-rounded, curious students had been undermined by external forces. The Ministry's increasing influence, the rise of dark forces, and the focus on preparing students for a world at war altered the school’s role from one of intellectual growth to one of survival. The sense of safety and learning that once pervaded the halls of Hogwarts was replaced by a more grim atmosphere, where students faced real-life threats and emotional tolls from the conflict surrounding them.
In sum, Hogwarts saw a significant decline after the 1970s due to the rising power of Voldemort, increasing political interference, declining moral standards, and a breakdown in the safety and unity that had previously defined the school. The idyllic Hogwarts of earlier years was replaced by a place of conflict, fear, and change, which played a crucial role in shaping the events of the Harry Potter series.
Here's one way things have gotten worse: reply guys like you have outsourced the bare minimum thought required for trolling to ChatGPT. Clown world comment.
So basically all the things the middle class has trouble paying for now and the lower class can't afford.
Sort of! Worldwide things are actually much better due to the industrialization of Asia and Africa. In the United States specifically things are worse. Both are valid discussions.
median vs mean
The world of Bladerunner has flying cars, androids, space settlements, holographic projections. Advancement is not the same as "better off", especially if you're in the groups that see all of it but can't take part in any improvements. As a white male from the 70s (a demographic that would benefit far more than others then and now) things are both better and worse, depending on what you look at. In the subjects the meme touches, it's worse for most everyone but the wealthy. If you look around and don't see it, then you don't have brain damage, you're just isolated in your own shiny world (by choice or not).
Fiscally
alive > not alive
So I'm better off