when I was a kid....

[Shanti]

I was thinking:

When I was a kid, back in the 60's, I remember when my mom told me that we had to start locking the doors at night.
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now...The doors are locked day and night.

When I was a kid...my parents told me to wash my hands before I ate. Never worried about the food...burger was rare done, hot dogs right out of the package! Fast food was starting to catch on too!
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now....wash the darn food before you eat it and the counter tops and you and everything else!!

When I was a kid my parents said drink plenty of water but not from a lake or stream...tap water.
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now...the tap water isnt safe...no water is..except distilled which has nothing in it period!

When I was a kid...there wasnt one kid in any of my classes that had asthma.I knew none with it..but news of smog and what it 'may' do in the future was on the news.
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now...a lot of kids I see have asthma...the numbers climb every year!! Its on the news!! For the first time ever in my family, my daughter has it! My SIL's 2 kids have it. My friends kid and my SO knows several people he works with that there kids have it. My other SIL has it...I know a lot of people young and grown who have it!

My parents thought life was going down the toilet...now all is worse..what will it be like when the kids of today are parents?



Is life going down the toilet?

[Catiana]

I was thinking:


Is life going down the toilet?



I think we're past the toilet, and floating around somewhere in the sewer

[Darakash]

ya know, Shanti, it's funny, one of my Environmental Science Professors from college grew up on a farm...and she used to tell us about how her parents(the farm owners) used to say that they should conserve water, because SOMEDAY, people would actually have to PAY for clean water, and how ridiculous that all seemed at the time! Mind you she was growing up...hmmm, maybe 30 or 40 years ago...so sad that it was so true.

I dont know if we are really in the toilet, but boy are we getting there...I have lived in the last 10 years in places where I didnt lock my door, where I didnt even lock my car! I used to leave my keys in the car, under the seat in Vermont! But, now, I lock at night...There really are still places where it is not an issue, but sadly, those places have become fewer and farther in between....

On the asthma thing, I was just saying the exact same thing the other night to my brother...I knew ONE kid who had asthma growing up...now it is every 1 in 5! And, My father and mother smoked, IN our house, with 5 children...both of them...my dad smoked at the dinner table! I sat right next to him! I never had lung/breathing problems, and 4 of my 5 brothers were track and field and cross country runners! 2 of them were all-state! (I am not suggesting that cigs aren't bad around kids of course) But it seems to me, that the environmental poisons we are exposed to must be exascerbating the problem!

[Shanti]

When I was a kid..9yrs old and on I lived in Milwaukee, major metro.

I live in the country now..150 miles away from the city!! 13 years ago when I first moved here the air quality was fine...now we get air quality warnings...out here in the darn country!! This year was the first time we had it for our area. Country fresh air....no more!

[Shanti]

Hey anyone remember fishing!!
ya catch a fish...throw it on the fire and eat!!

Now...only if you are not of childbearing years and only so much per week and only after you trim everything off the fish and watch out for what species it is, what water you caught it in and what time of day it is and, and , and...

Fishing...its not so fun anymore!

[Happy Shrew]

My water's just fine, thanks. It comes from a well.

For all of the things that have gotten worse over the past few decades, a lot of things have improved as well. Had I been born just ten years earlier, I'd be SOL for a social life. I had very few friends at school, but at least I had the Internet to meet and talk to people who actually understood where I was coming from.

I had a brother die from birth complications that are now a thing of the past thanks to new technology. He missed it by about two years.

I might be blind today if not for progress in the area of eye care and surgery for the young. My scenario is very unusual, so much so that I doubt they'd know what to do with me thirty years ago.

Are there things I have to be cautious about that I wouldn't have to think about thirty years ago? Yes. But I'd be blind. That's a hell of a lot worse than any inconveniences about the food I eat.

This isn't a cry for pity, either, so please don't fawn over me.

[spirit wind]

I remember going fishing with my dad! He was a mad fisherman and we all grew up with our own rods etc and loved going down to the river amd spending hours sitting there watching the line and yapping.

Now... We go no where near the water due to contamination! If, on the odd chance, we do go fishing it is just for fun and we throw the fish back or we just sit on the rocks picking out all the rubbish that people leave behind.

Yes! The world is in the toilet but I am trying very hard to make 'my' world a little cleaner for my kids.

[Shanti]

I remember going fishing with my dad! He was a mad fisherman and we all grew up with our own rods etc and loved going down to the river amd spending hours sitting there watching the line and yapping.

Now... We go no where near the water due to contamination! If, on the odd chance, we do go fishing it is just for fun and we throw the fish back or we just sit on the rocks picking out all the rubbish that people leave behind.

Yes! The world is in the toilet but I am trying very hard to make 'my' world a little cleaner for my kids.

Ditto!! We are always showing the kids how to take care of our surroundings...no matter where we go!!

[takisgnosis]

Living in the country and having your own well water might lead you to think that you shouldn't have to worry about pollution. But like Shanti pointed out, even those areas are getting air quality warnings these days. And the well water could be an even bigger problem if you are located downgradient from any kind of industrial operations, or even feed lots for that matter. The ground water will most likely be contaminated.

One of the realizations that I struggle with often is that while we as "Americans" are expending so much effort (and the lives of those close to us) in the middle east to secure our supply of oil, very few people realize that we will run out of uncontaminated fresh water, long before we run out of oil. That is an undeniable fact. Yet the "American" government seems to be denying it completely.

It's also becoming a widely accepted fact that many of the "engineered" chemicals produced in the 50's, 60's, and 70's, such as PCB's and Dioxin's and others are actually quite similar in structure to some animal proteins and hormones. And this has a direct effect on us in the form of mental difficulties (because our hormones regulate our emotional responses, and many of our body functions), such as depression, and anxiety disorders.

Engineered chemicals (toxins) are also affecting potentially ALL women now in a serious manner. This is due to the fact that these chemicals have an effect on the regulation and availability of estrogen in a woman's body. When this gets out of balance, possibly by pushing estrogen levels abnormally high, the result can often be various forms of cancers throughout the female reproductive system. But because of the political and social backlash that the doctors would face by exposing these facts, many... in fact just about all decide to remain silent about it. Because they realize it's such an insidious thing that we have practically no way to fix it.

Remember the old saying "Better living through chemistry"? Well it's just not going to turn out that way. We have already created a monster we cannot control, no matter how hard we try.

Sorry to be such a downer... but this did seem like the appropriate discussion to point out a few of these issues. And I do know what I'm talking about. I've been an environmental professional for the last 15 years, after graduating with a degree in geology. And over those 15 years I've seen things you wouldn't believe even if I told you. I mean really scary things in a health and welfare sense. Corporations don't have a conscience.

[Galaxia]

Ω

[Happy Shrew]

Living in the country and having your own well water might lead you to think that you shouldn't have to worry about pollution. But like Shanti pointed out, even those areas are getting air quality warnings these days. And the well water could be an even bigger problem if you are located downgradient from any kind of industrial operations, or even feed lots for that matter. The ground water will most likely be contaminated.

I'm at the top of a mountain, so no.

Even if we did have water issues, I can see the words I'm typing. Wouldn't want it in reverse.

I happen to come from the school of thought that the world is ambiguous and as such will turn into whatever you choose to view it as. So go ahead and be a downer, but I'd rather count my blessings and enjoy a mostly pleasant world.

[takisgnosis]

I'm at the top of a mountain, so no.

Even if we did have water issues, I can see the words I'm typing. Wouldn't want it in reverse.

I happen to come from the school of thought that the world is ambiguous and as such will turn into whatever you choose to view it as. So go ahead and be a downer, but I'd rather count my blessings and enjoy a mostly pleasant world.

You are very fortunate, you should always enjoy clean water there. :tub:

I appreciate your positive attitude, and your view. And it's very cool. I've never heard of someone explaining their view of the world as you have. Very interesting, I like it. :thumbsup:

I try to be a positive person most of the time also. I guess I've just experienced to much 'toxic waste shock' in my life already. :holycow:

[Shanti]

I'm at the top of a mountain, so no.

Even if we did have water issues, I can see the words I'm typing. Wouldn't want it in reverse.

I happen to come from the school of thought that the world is ambiguous and as such will turn into whatever you choose to view it as. So go ahead and be a downer, but I'd rather count my blessings and enjoy a mostly pleasant world.

Its not being a downer. I just stated facts and thought outloud. It was like I said when I was a kid and it has changed very much. How can I not wonder what it will be like in another 45 years? I just dont want to see people going through life with mask on in the future! But I wont be surprised if that becomes the norm.

Rose colored glasses wont stop whats happening.

Guess I am getting old...my grandmother used to tell me..'I remember' stuff. I didnt understand why she bothered to think about it....I do now...maybe its an age thing. :hmmmmm:

[LadyTrinity]

Is life going down the toilet?


Yes. Yes it is. :foh:

[Élistariel]

I think a few changes... no several changes need to be made.
As it is, I think we're on a one way street to sh** creek.

I don't think it will last forever though. Think about during the middle ages when pee and poo was flung out the window and onto the streets.
When toilets and plumbing finally made its comeback things got better. Plumbing was around in Rome, and some other really really old country whose name I forget. :bigredblu

Things are bound to get worse, before they get better. I don't think the air quality will improve significantly in my life time, but perhaps in our g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-great grandkids, the air will be worth breathing again, and the frogs won't have 10 legs.

[Shanti]

I think a few changes... no several changes need to be made.
As it is, I think we're on a one way street to sh** creek.

I don't think it will last forever though. Think about during the middle ages when pee and poo was flung out the window and onto the streets.
When toilets and plumbing finally made its comeback things got better. Plumbing was around in Rome, and some other really really old country whose name I forget. :bigredblu

Things are bound to get worse, before they get better. I don't think the air quality will improve significantly in my life time, but perhaps in our g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-great grandkids, the air will be worth breathing again, and the frogs won't have 10 legs.

Theres hope!! Good point!!! There was a time when the local pond was for peeing, washing your cloths, drinking and swimming in!!! :ahhhh:

Before plumbing...things were quite discusting!! Not to mention there were nasty illness that killed people left and right!

From that point...there has been improvment!!

You deserve a poky for that!!

[QUEEN OF THE DAMNED]

I think we're past the toilet, and floating around somewhere in the sewer

I agree. :sniffsnif

[Élistariel]

Theres hope!! Good point!!! There was a time when the local pond was for peeing, washing your cloths, drinking and swimming in!!! :ahhhh:

Before plumbing...things were quite discusting!! Not to mention there were nasty illness that killed people left and right!

From that point...there has been improvment!!

You deserve a poky for that!!


Let's just hope we don't have to deal with another "bubonic plague" type of thing before it gets better.

[CoolJ]

This is social and biological evolution of human kind...

[Happy Shrew]

Its not being a downer. I just stated facts and thought outloud. It was like I said when I was a kid and it has changed very much. How can I not wonder what it will be like in another 45 years? I just dont want to see people going through life with mask on in the future! But I wont be surprised if that becomes the norm.

Your thinking is lopsided, which is what's bugging me. Sure, some things are on a very bad trend. No one's going to argue with that. But if we're talking about how the times are a'changin', shouldn't we include some of the positives? Sure, our future may have some new dangers, but less people will lose their gift of sight, less mothers will have to go through the heartbreak that mine has and more people will be able to have discussions like this with people who are geographically very far away. That doesn't sound very doom-and-gloom to me.


Rose colored glasses wont stop whats happening.

Neither will a pity party. That's not what this is, but it still won't do anything by itself. Words are pretty weak by themselves.

I know a lot of people who seem to go on non-stop about the bad trends we're on. And you know what? I really hate talking to them. They're miserable. They're anxious. They're impossible to have a good time with. And when they talk about their own lives, they sound like pretty lousy existences.

I used to be the same way. I was severely depressed and had a very hard time keeping friends. How can someone stay friends with a person who has nothing but misery and woe to spew? Now I've taken on an attitude of cautious optimism and I do believe it's changed my life for the better. The events that have gone on aren't all that different in overall goodness or badness, but the good times feel better and the bad times don't keep me down as long.

That went way off into left field there, but after living the way I did I tend to react pretty strongly when I see it in others. Please don't take it personally.

[Rudas Starblaze]

wow! lucky me! i dont have to lock my doors day or night, and i can still go to the cricks (creaks/sreams) that have natural springs and drink the water, and still eat rare meat cause its not mass produced. gotta love living out in the middle of no where! _cloud9_

[spooky]

yeah- back in the days when marasmus and kwashiorkor were common in school age children, when a lobotomy would be given to anyone who disagreed with popular thought, when children would be beaten and nobody batted an eye, and medicine wasn't as sophisticated as it is now, and there was NO INTERNET!!

there was no internet! none of us would know one another.

now we have greater reporting of crimes, and possibly a few new types of crime, but i don't think all of a sudden people just changed and life started sucking.

remember the depression? how about the plagues? things aren't changinging all in one direction.

[Faery-Wings]

As with everything there are many sides to this issue. Have we made progress inthe last few decades? Yes of course, in many areas. Take medicine for example. There have been great strides in medicines. Hubby is diabetic and is on an insulin pump which gives him a huge step in having a more "normal" life. A hundred years ago, he would have died by now.
On the other hand I can't say that all medical improvements have been such. Look at how the drug companies push their meds through the FDA only to have them pulled off the shelves due to some very serious side effects and complications.
And this is JMHO- many of the "life saving" efforts in the elderly are really of now quality of life benefit. Maybe I can say that b/c my parents are in their 60's and quite healthy. But last night I visited my grandmother in a alzheimers unit and it is sad to see how some people exist. Not live, exist.

Environemtally- under this administartion I am seeing so much backsliding. But we need to take responsibilty as well and I see some of that with all of you. Write letters to your Reps/Senetors, let them know what issues are important. Don't let Congress pass these bulls*** laws through that harm our Earth.

i think that all time periods had good and bad. The pendulum swings back and forth.

[Fane Ayuma]

when i was a kid....i was much younger then i am now.












this post produced by State The Obvious magazine

[DianaStormDancer]

When I was a kid life was simplier cause of innocence then I grew up got educated...now Im an activists for the problems that can be dealt with and an advocate for those that need help.

[RubyRose]

You know I wouldn't know. I'm only 21 (22 in a little over 4 days) and my parents have always locked the house. Now we have security screen doors its slightly worse.

[Tyrion_Lannister]

I grew up in an area were we had 4 locks on the door. But know i live in an area were I have not locked my door in about 4 years. I leave my keys in my car almost constatnly. Heck my inlaws leave the keys in the ignition.

But we still have water problems. And you don't let your kids out of your site. Not that any have disappeared around here but every one hears news drfit in from other places.

I think that is one of the things that make the problems of the world magnify. There were problems 50 years ago but the news media could not so easily bring the problems of even neighboring states directly to your door. And many problems were ignored....(child or spousal abuse).

[Shanti]

I have to admidt...I am irritated by your question. You tag your ID with a buddist saying....which is fine, but not conducive to what we talk about here. Problems are not items to be put into a bubble...they are real. How does the Buddist God you have embraced deal with that? Don't mean to be honery , but you asked.

Ummm....I was just having a melancholy day...I am human, gee sorry for being human and....

Buddhism has nothing to do with any gods.
Buddhist can believe and have gods in their belief system or they may not.
The 4 noble truths have no god in them.
Neither does the 8 fold path. Here....this may help LINK (http://www.boloji.com/buddhism/00110.htm)

Buddhism does not aim to explain God, creation or eternal concepts. Such truths can only be found within the heart of a person. Whatever one holds within the heart is what is. What Buddhism does aim to do is help us overcome the chaos of this world and point us to a path that leads us to our own spirituality. We are all searching for the same things- freedom from our pain and realizing who we truly are, deep within. The Buddha Siddharthe Guatama, in his contemplation, realized the truth about suffering and the path to liberation from it. This Eight-Fold Path and Four Noble Truths make up the foundation of Buddhism. I am not perfect.


And my question was...is life going down the toilet?...has nothing to do with religion.

[jimgriff]

Overall, I don't think its worse, just more crowded with leeches and people paying attention to them.
Also, like the lady said a couple of posts above, we're living in the Information Age now. Same old problems have been around forever, but now if ANYTHING happens ANYWHERE, somebody calls, blogs, texts, and gets instant publicity about it. Human nature being what it is, the bad news just travels faster.

[Kyan's Daddy]

I was thinking:

When I was a kid, back in the 60's, I remember when my mom told me that we had to start locking the doors at night.
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now...The doors are locked day and night.

When I was a kid...my parents told me to wash my hands before I ate. Never worried about the food...burger was rare done, hot dogs right out of the package! Fast food was starting to catch on too!
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now....wash the darn food before you eat it and the counter tops and you and everything else!!

When I was a kid my parents said drink plenty of water but not from a lake or stream...tap water.
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now...the tap water isnt safe...no water is..except distilled which has nothing in it period!

When I was a kid...there wasnt one kid in any of my classes that had asthma.I knew none with it..but news of smog and what it 'may' do in the future was on the news.
My parents said life is going down the toilet.

Now...a lot of kids I see have asthma...the numbers climb every year!! Its on the news!! For the first time ever in my family, my daughter has it! My SIL's 2 kids have it. My friends kid and my SO knows several people he works with that there kids have it. My other SIL has it...I know a lot of people young and grown who have it!

My parents thought life was going down the toilet...now all is worse..what will it be like when the kids of today are parents?



Is life going down the toilet?

Everything is so clean now that our bodies don't develop the defenses they used to have.

It's good for kids to be exposed to grass and puppy dog slobber and dirty tennis balls.

[ravynbynorthwynd]

i grew up in a dirty house. my mom has been depressed for many years, and does not feel the need for treatment. as a result, our house looks like shit. oh well, big deal. anyway

i have never had ashma. i know a lot of people who have obsessive cleaning mommy's...they get ashma. i rest my case.

[Scarlettvixen]

i grew up in a dirty house. my mom has been depressed for many years, and does not feel the need for treatment. as a result, our house looks like shit. oh well, big deal. anyway

i have never had ashma. i know a lot of people who have obsessive cleaning mommy's...they get ashma. i rest my case.

not always true
i grew up on a farm and as a family we were too busy working to grow enough to eat and stay alive
forget the freaking housework! it got done when u could write yr name in the dust

yet my father had asthma and so do i

i agree the sterile environments people have for their kids and the pollution are factors in the rising rate of asthma, but there are some people with genuinely irritable airways! lol

[Garnet]

I remember drinking out of the garden hose when I was a kid.
Last week, I was doing some yard work with the neighbor, & he had a fit when he caught me drinking from the hose. Apparently, the inside of the hose is a breeding ground for disease, pestilence, & anti-American thought.
I never got sick from it when I was a kid.