My kids and I enjoy listening to music together, whether at home or in the car. However, we never turn on “traditional” radio stations. Instead, we play my curated playlists or our go-to Pandora station. If they have a specific song in mind—like Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” or The Muppets’ “Mahna Mahna”—YouTube is just a click away.
Recently, while driving, Pandora played a favorite tune of my 7-year-old, and when it ended, he insisted, “I want that song again.”
“I can’t play it again,” I explained.
He looked at me in disbelief. I tried to clarify how radio works, how songs are chosen for us, and that we had to wait for it to come around again. “Wait for it?” he echoed, clearly confused. I get it; in their world, everything is on-demand and catered to their preferences. Their music is pre-selected, and any song that doesn’t meet their approval gets an instant “thumbs down.” Their favorite shows on Netflix come without commercials and can be paused anytime. Their tablets are personalized with their names, favorites, and top scores. Any question is promptly answered by Google, and every memorable moment can be captured instantly with a digital camera.
They’ve never experienced a time when technology wasn’t right at their fingertips. While it’s impressive, it’s also a bit unfortunate.
Today’s technology has its benefits, but I wouldn’t trade my childhood—full of tangled phone cords, cassette tapes, and the pages of Teen Beat—for anything. We learned valuable lessons that today’s kids will have to discover in different ways. Here are a few reflections.
We Learned to Cherish Every Moment.
Remember the thrill of hearing your favorite song on the radio? It felt like magic, regardless of where you were. You couldn’t just grab your phone to replay it. You had to wait for the chance to buy the cassette at a record store. Now, there’s less anticipation. With iTunes, Netflix, and DVRs, we can replay anything at will. Back in the ’80s, I only recorded my favorite show if I absolutely had to miss it when it aired. Holiday specials were one-time events, not accessible at any whim. Now, we don’t savor those moments; we expect them.
Waiting Taught Us Patience.
My sister and I would sit for hours with our fingers ready on the “record” button, waiting for Casey Kasem’s American Top 40 countdown to play our favorite song. Obsessing over a tune took effort. Today, if something doesn’t load within seconds, my kids can barely contain their frustration. That “no waiting” attitude is creeping into our adult lives, too. Binge-watching shows has changed the way we experience suspense. Instead of waiting months for a resolution, we barely wait a minute.
Focus Was Easier When Distractions Were Minimal.
In the past, being on the phone meant standing still—no multitasking while you walked through a shopping mall. The most I did while chatting was twirling the phone cord. Now, we juggle TV, social media, and texting simultaneously. My kids might not yet be engaged in this type of multitasking, but they’re learning from us.
Celebrities Were More Mysterious, and That Was Fine.
We devoured every issue of Teen Beat, but aside from that, we didn’t know much about celebrities. There were no Twitter or Instagram accounts to reveal every detail of their lives. This allowed us to have crushes without becoming obsessed. When my best friend and I wrote to our favorite star from Valerie, we eagerly awaited a response that turned out to be an impersonal postcard from someone else. Disappointing? Yes. But life moved on without the need for social media validation.
We Understood We Weren’t the Center of the Universe.
Voices like Casey Kasem’s told stories that didn’t revolve around us. We listened, absorbed, and appreciated the world around us without needing to insert ourselves. We pretended to make music videos in our basements, not for likes or shares. My generation may be the last to cherish the magic of a distant voice, while my kids have Siri, who listens and responds to their every command. They’re fortunate to have that technology, but we were lucky to experience life without it.
In conclusion, while technology has enriched our lives in many ways, it has also diminished some invaluable lessons we learned growing up in the ’80s. The patience, focus, and appreciation for the moment are skills that today’s kids may have to cultivate differently.
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Summary:
This article reflects on how modern technology has changed the way children experience moments, patience, focus, and celebrity culture compared to the lessons learned in the ’80s. The author reminisces about the past while acknowledging the benefits and drawbacks of today’s tech-driven world.
Keyphrase: Technology and Lessons from the ’80s
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