Yup- but the cartoons were better and they were more real.
We had the Flintstones, Mighty Mouse, The Jetsons. The only thing that comes close are The Simpsons
We also had The Wonderful World of Disney, Davy Crocket, McHale's Navy, Leave it to Beaver.
I am not saying one is better than the other. It's also to let our kids unplug once in a while.
Adam Green
· 2 years ago
My 3 kids (19 - 24) are the last generation to remember a time before the Internet. Is that like remembering before cars or telephones, or fundamentally different? All three technologies shrank the world in different ways.
andy carvin
· 2 years ago
Welcome to the world of digital natives and digital immigrants....
Grayson
· 2 years ago
It's an on-demand kinda mentality and culture though that we NEVER expererienced as children. We had to ask permission to open our mouths, let alone dare ask and expect to get things we might have had a fancy for.
I grew-up in a rather strict, forboding, utilitatian environment where children were to be seen and not heard, and rarely did they interact with adults on a conversational level. When they were older, they were expected to work within the family structure.
In contrast, for example, my child, 7, is quite fond of the character Tonks in Harry Potter book. So she just typed in "Tonks" into Google Images, found herself a picture of Tonks, printed it out, cut it out and created a sort of tableau where she could interact with that character.
It's still hard for me, as a forty-something mom, to imagine that sort of creative license and freedom and downright luxury they take for granted. Then again, I'm still amazed at the birth control pill!
Seth
· 2 years ago
Sounding a little Grandpa-ish this morning are we? Yes the world is sure moving fast. Most interesting to me, we were all taught "Don't talk to strangers", a value which now seems untenable and boring, and--if passed on-- one which would severly hinder our children's ability to get ahead.
Clintus McGintus
· 2 years ago
My kids are totally on the same path. Sierra already thinks she can watch any cartoon at any time and that when a camera is out she asks if its a picture or video. I'm engrossed in the digital world and it's invedible that my kids will be the same, only at a much earlier age. I'm 25 now and didn't get my first pc until I was 18. Sierra will be surfing the web by the time she's 4 I'm sure.
kathryn
· 2 years ago
I still have a hard time grasping that when I was a child you called someone to actually speak with them... no answering machines, no voice mails, no call waiting... if the line was busy you kept trying until it was free...
but does technology bring us closer?
My husband is currently working in Vermont in an area with no cell phone reception... but the internet signal is great. The only way we can communicate is through video ichat... and it is simply fantastic... seeing Guiesseppe, all his facial expressions, his gorgeous smile, his beautiful face is truly the next best thing to being there.. the only thing I can't do is touch him. It is so much more intimate than a phone call. It makes being apart almost (almost!) a pleasure.
score one for technology!
Goldie Katsu
· 2 years ago
Cool reflections but I would say that each era of childhood has its advantages.
My "tv" was books and theatrical productions that my friends made up and put on. (It also was the 3 channels we could get and I watched a ton of whatever it was)
Games were what we and the neighborhood kids made up. We were the generators of content, not the recipients because there were few alternatives. (Yes kids today can generate but they can also just be consumers)
Because travel was infrequent (and expensive) Daddy & Mommy weren't away that often and when they were I was with them exploring new places.
When we walked away from home the phone stayed at home and there were no interruptions.
When I shared my creations the person I was sharing them was there and I could watch their reactions.
The power of the net is awesome and gives today's kids opportunities we never had, but at the same time the new tools have their disadvantages. I think your kid's greatest advantage is that they have parents that love them and spend time with them.
Mike Allan
· 2 years ago
The day my youngest daughter was born, we had a meeting at the trade show where I was working. We decided to change the name of the show from Multimedia to newMedia.
And then my wife called to tell me it was time to go to the hospital. My daughter is definitely a child of the new media.
All Comments
We had the Flintstones, Mighty Mouse, The Jetsons.
The only thing that comes close are The Simpsons
We also had The Wonderful World of Disney, Davy Crocket, McHale's Navy, Leave it to Beaver.
I am not saying one is better than the other. It's also to let our kids unplug once in a while.
I grew-up in a rather strict, forboding, utilitatian environment where children were to be seen and not heard, and rarely did they interact with adults on a conversational level. When they were older, they were expected to work within the family structure.
In contrast, for example, my child, 7, is quite fond of the character Tonks in Harry Potter book. So she just typed in "Tonks" into Google Images, found herself a picture of Tonks, printed it out, cut it out and created a sort of tableau where she could interact with that character.
It's still hard for me, as a forty-something mom, to imagine that sort of creative license and freedom and downright luxury they take for granted. Then again, I'm still amazed at the birth control pill!
but does technology bring us closer?
My husband is currently working in Vermont in an area with no cell phone reception... but the internet signal is great. The only way we can communicate is through video ichat... and it is simply fantastic... seeing Guiesseppe, all his facial expressions, his gorgeous smile, his beautiful face is truly the next best thing to being there.. the only thing I can't do is touch him. It is so much more intimate than a phone call. It makes being apart almost (almost!) a pleasure.
score one for technology!
My "tv" was books and theatrical productions that my friends made up and put on. (It also was the 3 channels we could get and I watched a ton of whatever it was)
Games were what we and the neighborhood kids made up. We were the generators of content, not the recipients because there were few alternatives. (Yes kids today can generate but they can also just be consumers)
Because travel was infrequent (and expensive) Daddy & Mommy weren't away that often and when they were I was with them exploring new places.
When we walked away from home the phone stayed at home and there were no interruptions.
When I shared my creations the person I was sharing them was there and I could watch their reactions.
The power of the net is awesome and gives today's kids opportunities we never had, but at the same time the new tools have their disadvantages. I think your kid's greatest advantage is that they have parents that love them and spend time with them.
And then my wife called to tell me it was time to go to the hospital. My daughter is definitely a child of the new media.
As always Chris your posts are dead on.