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Life Improvements Since the 1990s

gwern.net

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Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#261

Post by frankbreetz »

denton-scratch wrote: post #199

To me, the article seems panglossian ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide ). Some of the "upsides" (e.g. improvements in patent regime) just aren't there. Some aren't as wonderful as they are described. I'm in my mid-sixties; I'm very much a candidate for the "things were better in the old days" brigade. But I do think many (most?) things have improved. Housing is better; healthcare is immeasurably better (unless…

I wonder if permanent war was around in the 60's it was just easier to keep things under wraps because of smart phones. From what I have heard the CIA has been involved in some unsavory activities since before the 60s. I also believe that life lost by war and violence have decreased dramatically since then. It might be an ignorance is bliss thing.

But the music was definitely better back then!

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#262

Post by notdang »

SavantIdiot wrote: post #241

> airplane flights no longer cost an appreciable fraction of your annual income12 , and people can afford multiple trips a year. I routinely flew in the 80's and 90's: shorter lines, more cabin space, and food every flight (and fewer yokels airing their stinky bare feet). I'd go back to that in a heartbeat.

So this means that people with less disposable income can afford to fly now.

And the people with more income are feeling that their comfort has to suffer.

So for those with more income, maybe it makes sense to pay for first class or hire a private charter plane?

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#263

Post by munk-a »

flerchin wrote: post #238
BuckRogers wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Very well put. Excellently stated. That's one of the concepts that many have thought about, because we all feel the effects, but aren't exactly sure how to articulate. I'm going to be thinking about that comment! It definitely applies to software. It's why trades are a much better career option, local will never not matter in that case. The best 'star high school' welders and electricians are always going to be desir…

Software dev wages are through the roof as a counterargument.

Most aren't - most are quite comfortable but 100k is still above the median for developers.

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#264

Post by only_as_i_fall »

JackPoach wrote: post #169
laserlight wrote: post #166

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can tell whether I am happy or not. What do you mean when you say happiness doesn't exist?

Do you understand the concept of reification? If not, see https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/reification#:~:text=Re... . So if you feel happy (or miserable) it means just that - that you feel happy (or miserable). It doesn't mean that happiness or misery actually exist literally.

That's a silly strawman. Nobody is claiming that happiness exists literally.

And it's intangible nature does nothing to prevent us from measuring or maximizing aggregate happiness.

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#265

Post by coryrc »

GoatOfAplomb wrote: post #226
phreeza wrote: post #215

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That doesn't make sense to me, why would a larger space allow for more CO2 buildup, if there is a connection to the outside?

I started to write this out but realized a more polished explanation might be more useful: "Snorkels constitute respiratory dead space. When the user takes in a fresh breath, some of the previously exhaled air which remains in the snorkel is inhaled again, reducing the amount of fresh air in the inhaled volume, and increasing the risk of a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood, which can result in hypercapnia. The g…

That's the problem with the old ones, where you breathe in and out the same tube. That's fixed in these full-face masks.

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#266

Post by treis »

BrandoElFollito wrote: post #247
treis wrote: post #201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These are somewhat dangerous as the additional airspace allows CO2 to build up. I haven't seen good studies either way, but there's lots of anecdata out there of people reporting symptoms.

Is this really dangerous? We are naturally armed against CO2 and there will be a lot of warning signs (headache, short breath, ...) before anything happens.

It's not like they're execution devices. But the symptoms include dizziness and disorientation which isn't ideal in the ocean. Plus it can exacerbate pre-existing conditions where you might skip the mild symptoms and go straight to serious ones.

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#267

Post by tristor »

globular-toast wrote: post #146
sumanthvepa wrote: post #60

My kitchen is definitely antediluvian by this standard. We still have a gas stove. The induction stove after week of use has been relegated quietly to the attic by the wife, and has stayed there for years. I suspect Indian cooking doesn’t lend itself well to the use of induction stoves.

Induction stoves are good for boiling water and nothing else. And I mean boiling, not simmering. I'm going back to gas very soon and can't wait to start cooking properly again.

Pretty much agreed. I thought induction was going to be the miracle technology that would make a kitchen both highly productive and capable while increasing safety standards markedly over working with open flame. I was all in on getting a high-end induction range to replace my older radiant electric range, and thanks to a friend's advice I decided to buy a freestanding single-burner induction cooktop to try it first.

I found that induction is a VERY VERY uneven heating source, in fact it's the most uneven heating source. When using it with traditional cooking methods and implements that are also usually quite uneven (like cast iron) it becomes a complete travesty. Additionally, typical cooking techniques that are intended to address unevenness of heat like pan flipping doesn't work with an induction cooktop because when you lift the pan it shuts off.

I ended up getting a dual fuel gas range (gas cooktop, electric oven with convection) and I love it. Gas is just the best way to cook, period. I wish it weren't so, because it's not energy efficient and it can be a safety hazard, but it just straight out works better than anything else.

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#268

Post by BuckRogers »

iambateman wrote: post #14

I often ask people: “if you could be 20-years old in 1991 or 2021, which would you pick?” An incredible number of people pick ‘91. Some people even ask to go back to the seventies. This article explains why I would much rather be young now rather than before.

I'm going 91. I was there. I wasn't 20, but I was closer to 10. And 10 years old in decades past is about equal to 20 years old today, we experienced more. We had more freedom, we made more mistakes. More of us were likely beaten/raped/killed or otherwise died.. but we simply were less childlike, the generations that had analog childhoods. Less coddling. That was more true the further back you go, but there was a steep decline for children born around 1990 or after due to many factors. At least that's what I've observed.

Those quality of life improvements on that list are in reality pretty sad compared to the loss in social cohesion and quality of life in ways that matter more. You would think we didn't have indoor plumbing or antibiotics. We were in good shape. But the difference in pre and post 9/11 America is stark. This place was basically ruined on a social level, pure fear and panic, and it remains in different forms.

Now if you asked me if I'd rather be born in 1971 or 2021? I would say 2021. Because the last 20 years have been throwaway decades. Someone 20 years old in 2021 missed ALL of the good times, never saw America as it was, and has and will spend most of their life behind the 8 ball.

If you're born today, while there could definitely be more calamity, there's a good chance things turn up from the malaise of 2001-2021 in the next two decades. At least as it pertains to the working class. Which is most of us. Its been a great two decades for those that were running the show. But there's a reason why overall sentiment is and has been negative.

I'll take 20 in 1991, or 20 in 2041. But not 20 in 2021.

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#269

Post by scollet »

frankbreetz wrote: post #261
denton-scratch wrote: post #199

To me, the article seems panglossian ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candide ). Some of the "upsides" (e.g. improvements in patent regime) just aren't there. Some aren't as wonderful as they are described. I'm in my mid-sixties; I'm very much a candidate for the "things were better in the old days" brigade. But I do think many (most?) things have improved. Housing is better; healthcare is immeasurably better (unless…

I wonder if permanent war was around in the 60's it was just easier to keep things under wraps because of smart phones. From what I have heard the CIA has been involved in some unsavory activities since before the 60s. I also believe that life lost by war and violence have decreased dramatically since then. It might be an ignorance is bliss thing. But the music was definitely better back then!

> But the music was definitely better back then!

Objection!

Re: Life Improvements Since the 1990s

#270

Post by coryrc »

nonameiguess wrote: post #133
rthomas6 wrote: post #68

But are people happier and more fulfilled? Are they more able to have a meaning-filled life surrounded by people with whom they have close and lasting relationships? What should we be measuring when we measure improvement?

I can't speak for "people" at broad, but improvements have certainly made a difference for my household. Gwern mentions hearing aids. They haven't just gotten smaller, but more capable. My wife couldn't have conversations with people at all in 1991. She can now. Universal subtitling opens up the full catalog of film and television that she couldn't experience. Spinal interbody fusion existed before 1991, but it wasn'…

On that latter note, my friend has an electronic device implanted in his spine to reduce pain. Non-opioid, effective pain relief!
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