Big Difference?

Is there a big difference between now and the '70's? Obviously, yes. In many areas. How about quality? Is the quality of things now better than it was in the '70's? Of course, the answer to that depends on what you're talking about. Let's take cars. Back then they were cheaper, heavier, stronger, and much more simple to work on. A mechanic could actually sit inside the hood area and work on many models. Why? Because then there was no anti-pollution devices or electronic control assemblies. There was more room. But, at the same time, they were not as efficient as they are today due to advancements. They put out a lot more smoke. Gas was cheaper, but the cars used a lot more of it. What about air conditioners. The few we had back then were big, loud, and cost a lot, both in price and in electricity used. Now they are much smaller, more efficient, and cheaper. I could make comparisons all day to the then and now. Of course we advanced! We're supposed to! Things should get better, not worse. But my real point is, did all of our advancements actually make things better, or worse?
Most people know that they have developed electric cars. They didn't want the public to know, but they developed them a long time ago. They could have been in use for the past 30 years! But do you think that the big car companies were going to do that? What about fuel? We are still dependent on coal in many of our factories. That is a total waste. There has been synthetic fuel for decades, but again, do you think the the big gas companies want to give up their profits? Many things could have advanced a long time ago, but big business will not allow it until they have a way to make up the cost loss. So we continue to destroy our air and our atmosphere in general, simply due to money. But it's always been that way. They would rather be filthy rich in their generation, than give a good environment to their grand children.
Another big difference is flight. Airlines today are modern, sophifisticated, and streamlined. They have made huge advancements in flight in a very short time. They are mostly comfortable (except being jammed in a chair), and relatively safe. They could make many more improvements that have been around for a while, but, again, money is the deciding factor. There are many areas in our society that are simply not ALLOWED to develop too quickly, even if it's for the good. Too many quick advancements would put many big companies out of business, so they control it as much as they can. You can't blame them for this overall. They are just trying to make the most they can, which is why people do business. But it does cost the regular joe.
The only time I do level blame, personally, is when it directly affects our environment, our air, or our childrens future. There is a time, and it's always comes, when you have to decide if you want to continue to destroy the world, or stop and do something different to try and save it. Even if your company suffers, there will come a point that you can't escape. But, unfortunately for all of us, humans are basically greedy, and a huge amount of them would rather be rich, even at the cost of the planet. Many do not even care at all how how much they destroy, as long as they can drive fancy cars, and spend money every day. They want to be noticed!  They want someone to admire them for what they have. The only two words I can think of for these type of people is selfishness and greed.
Now days, thank goodness, there are many companies who have founders, or CEO's that are very conscious of their environment. Many of them keep trying to advance their companies in ways that do not have a negative affect on the planet. Sometimes they give up fortunes they could have made to try and develop something that will not destroy. This is the new thinking. This is a different generation, one that is well aware that their actions directly affect our planet. Many of the "old school" leaders have also caught on and are trying to change their companies. Where there is a will, there is a way. But of course, there are many who will never change. They will continue to destroy things for profit until the day they die. They think they will leave a lasting legacy to the millions or billions they have made. But history will eventually show that they did it all at the cost of the people and the planet. So their name will not be one remembered with a smile, but with a frown.
Is there a big difference? Absolutely! A big difference in everything! A difference in costs, in development, in thinking, and in the planet. Times were simpler then, but also much harder. No sophificated computers, no internet to help link the world, and no cell phones to make quick contact. But it was much cleaner.
Will things get better? Most of us truly hope so. There are things in our daily lives that we just can't, or won't do without, even if they are done at the cost of the planet. Finding new ways to do things, to me, is the number one priority. In thirty more years, the earth's population will double again. If you think it's crowded now, wait a while.  If we have destroyed this much of our environment just within the 59 years I've been around, I can't even imagine the scale it will be at in 50 more years! I do not see how the earth will possibly be able to sustain us all. I may not be around then, but it makes me sad to think what is being left to my children and grandchildren.
A big difference? That's exactly what we need right now!!!!