That’s dumb. Houses I recall from childhood in the '80s were filled with books. Encyclopedias for kids, books about animals, history, etc. Libraries were a walk away. Schools had libraries (and in my case, the librarian looked just like Janet from Three’s Company and built the same. I was at the library a lot.). TV had plenty of educational stuff.
And how’s the newfangled Google knowledge world panning out so far? Lots of people getting informed?
I grew up poor and we couldn’t afford a set of encyclopedias. We lived in the country so libraries were not a walk away. I never even thought to ask my friends if they had encyclopedias when visiting their houses and having this happen.
Encyclopedias were also somewhat limited. It could be useful if you were wondering what the main export of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was, but if you were wondering what strategy to use to beat the final boss in Ninja Gaiden you were likely out of luck (I know, I know, these are terrible examples It’s 3:30am, cut me some slack).
TV had plenty of educational stuff
Sure, but it’s not like you could be sitting there with your friend and be like “I wonder what the most common name in the world is?” and turn on the TV to the answer to your question.
Plus you weren’t always at somebodies house, you could be on a hike or at the lake and think of a question.
There were a lot of times back in the day where I would think of an interesting question and then by the time I got to a place where I could research it, I had forgotten all about it. I guess I could have and probably should have carried around a little notebook and wrote those questions down. Hindsight is 20/20
And how’s the newfangled Google knowledge world panning out so far? Lots of people getting informed?
Pretty great honestly. I can’t speak for other people but now when I have one of those “I wonder about X topic” moments I actually just look up the answer.
It even took me a while to catch up to the fact that it was now an option. I remember several times when I first got a smart phone and I would have the “I just thought of something I would like to know more about” experience and then forget that I had the ability to find out an embarrassing amount of times before it finally got to the point where it’s second nature to look it up now.
When I moved in 2016 I didn’t have a place to bring all my books so I got rid of my bookcase and most of my books. I filled a suitcase with what I kept and I think that suitcase with what I refused to get rid of at the time. After another couple moves that suitcase kept getting lighter. Eventually if I own a house I’ll start collecting again
That’s dumb. Houses I recall from childhood in the '80s were filled with books. Encyclopedias for kids, books about animals, history, etc. Libraries were a walk away. Schools had libraries (and in my case, the librarian looked just like Janet from Three’s Company and built the same. I was at the library a lot.). TV had plenty of educational stuff.
And how’s the newfangled Google knowledge world panning out so far? Lots of people getting informed?
I grew up poor and we couldn’t afford a set of encyclopedias. We lived in the country so libraries were not a walk away. I never even thought to ask my friends if they had encyclopedias when visiting their houses and having this happen.
Encyclopedias were also somewhat limited. It could be useful if you were wondering what the main export of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was, but if you were wondering what strategy to use to beat the final boss in Ninja Gaiden you were likely out of luck (I know, I know, these are terrible examples It’s 3:30am, cut me some slack).
Sure, but it’s not like you could be sitting there with your friend and be like “I wonder what the most common name in the world is?” and turn on the TV to the answer to your question.
Plus you weren’t always at somebodies house, you could be on a hike or at the lake and think of a question.
There were a lot of times back in the day where I would think of an interesting question and then by the time I got to a place where I could research it, I had forgotten all about it. I guess I could have and probably should have carried around a little notebook and wrote those questions down. Hindsight is 20/20
Pretty great honestly. I can’t speak for other people but now when I have one of those “I wonder about X topic” moments I actually just look up the answer.
It even took me a while to catch up to the fact that it was now an option. I remember several times when I first got a smart phone and I would have the “I just thought of something I would like to know more about” experience and then forget that I had the ability to find out an embarrassing amount of times before it finally got to the point where it’s second nature to look it up now.
you mean houses you go to now aren’t filled with books? I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have at least a small book shelf.
Nope. Far fewer. Houses are built to be showcases for expensive appliances these days.
ah, well, I’m also of a demographic that doesn’t know anybody with a new house either.
When I moved in 2016 I didn’t have a place to bring all my books so I got rid of my bookcase and most of my books. I filled a suitcase with what I kept and I think that suitcase with what I refused to get rid of at the time. After another couple moves that suitcase kept getting lighter. Eventually if I own a house I’ll start collecting again