50's, 60's, 70's, 80's , 90's and now... what was the best time to live in and why?

Answer 1

I think the 50's were overrated. Certainly, people didn't "respect" each more, one merely had to be a person of color or a woman or poor to see the different standards waiting for you. The country was only marginally safer. Remember, "The Asphal Jungle" about juvenile delinquents and "The Wild Bunch" about marauding bikers, were made in 1950, as was "The Man with the Golden Arm" in 1956, which dealt with heroin addiction. The 50's have been PORTRAYED as idyllic, but that is a media manipulation mostly attributed to Desilu studios and the studio that created the surreal archtype of June Cleaver cleaning her bathroom in an enormous dress, replete with prim pearls, perfect hair and heels. Real people didn't do business this way, and when they compared themselves to these new TV archetypes, they immediately became nervous and anxious and felt "inferior."

I would vote for the 60's, even though the excess this decade ushered in proved to be ultimately destructive. I think it was Norman Mailer who said that the 60's "began in 1962 with the death of Marilyn Monroe, (which he saw as an omen), and ended in 1975, with the fall of Saigon." It's kind of like a "baker's dozen" in a decade: 13 years instead of 10. But what a 13 years! We're still feeling the reverbations, right down to the hip hugging bell bottoms kids are wearing today.

The thing I miss is the excitement. People, the air crackled throughout the decade! And this was before VCR, TiVO, the Internet and Napster.

Whether it was Dr. King giving his "I have a Dream" speech in 1963, the war in our living rooms, the emergence of the black middle class,LBJ's war on poverty and "The Great Society," the tragic assassinations, the Tet Offensive, the lunar landing, smoking pot, Danang and Khamron Bay, "turn on, tune in, drop out," women's liberation, or the sublime music and outrageous revoluton in fashion and style, nothing since as approached the certain something that was always in the air during that decade. The 20's may have been the most similar decade and the 30's the most radical, as they both broke old norms and ushered in new ones.

The 70's were less interesting and the 80's little more than a hangover from the previous 2 decades. I've never seen the 90's or the new milenium as anything more than people still rehashing what was done in the previous 25 years.

Maybe America will become that vibrant again, when the whole world couldn't wait to see the latest thing we were dealing with.

Answer 2

Most of my formative childhood was spent in the 80s and I loved it! Music was great, TV was great, life was simpler - less technology to complicate things. It was modern enough not to struggle, but simple enough that playing outside with your mates was the best pastime! Biking, rollerskating, climbing trees, making dens in the woods - I think a lot of kids miss out on the innocence and simplicity of childhood now. It all seemed a lot safer back then too. We used to go out from dawn till dusk in the summer hols, exploring and playing in the woods, swimming in the brook - you wouldn't dare let your kids do that these days! The 60s and 70s were too turbulent for me, the 50s too basic and struggles post-war. The 90s and beyond is too recent really! Seems like yesterday!

Answer 3

The 80s were ok but the 90s had grunge.

Answer 4

70's and 80's because of some of the toys I had growing up as well as some of the music. In addition to that I found some very good movies from that time period to watch that come on tv from time to time.

Answer 5

I would love to live in the 60's but was born in 1976. That said I would miss our modern lifes we have it so easy. My wife and I love to listen to old music and watch heartbeat. Quite often when we are drving along as we live in the countryside and old music comes on the radio it feel just like we are way back there.

Answer 6

I'm going to say the 60s. The stories from my fathers' youth show me how free they were. Living in a suburb of a huge city they didn't have to worry about theft, kidnapping, murder, because everyone in town knew everyone they lived with. It would amazing to live in that time period.

Answer 7

For me it would have to be the 50's or 80's.

the 50's seem so fun and the dancing was pretty spiffy!
and 80's because disco, drugs, and the beatles were together!

defiantly not now because everything seems crappy,
pollution and crap its way to much for me to worry about,
i get so stressed out!

Answer 8

the 60's definitely! That was the decade of peace, love and all that other spiritual stuff. Not saying I'm a hippy or flower child but I'd love to experience all that volkswagen driving! Wouldn't you!

Answer 9

All those older years would be good because morals were much better & there was less murder &less death on the road & no great terror threat etc but i love the technology of the computer especially the internet

Answer 10

Now I would say...just because of all the medical and technological advances. I don't think I could live without the internet.