A Reddit thread explores how once-luxurious items from childhood, like home computers and encyclopedias, have become commonplace necessities, highlighting generational shifts in technology and access.
When you were little, you probably wanted a bunch of things that were maybe out of your price range. For instance, I was in awe when I went to a friend's house and saw that they had an ice and water dispenser on the OUTSIDE of their fridge, a whole-ass computer room, and a pool.
Now, a lot of these things are considered"normal" in some sense . So when I saw this Reddit thread where Reddit user,"What is a middle-class luxury from your childhood that is now considered a basic necessity or completely obsolete?" I thought it would be interesting to share. Here's what people said below:"Having a computer in the house felt like rich kid stuff back then. Now, it’s basically required to exist. Wild how fast that flipped.""I have a coworker who doesn’t have a single computer or laptop in his household. He lives with his mom and daughter, and somehow they manage everything from banking to taxes on their phones. I would lose my mind trying to get some stuff done without a computer.""I've heard this talked about as kind of a generational thing. Your average millennial is comfortable using a smartphone, but is generally adverse to doing 'serious' things on it, preferring a PC for that. Don't know how accurate it is, but it's true for me. Doing 'official' stuff like paying bills or making major purchases on my phone just feels weird.""I call it 'big screen activities,' lol. Some things just require a full computer screen for me, like booking flights, taxes, researching multiple locations on Google Maps, and planning vacations, etc.""Long-distance calling. My parents used to set a timer to avoid huge bills. Now, I can video call someone in Tokyo for free while pooping.""Physical encyclopedias. Having a full set in the living room meant you were 'rich' and 'smart.' Now, Wikipedia has made them expensive paperweights.""I remember being like seven and letting an encyclopedia salesperson into the house. My dad came around with a 4 iron and told him to get the fuck out of his home. I think all three of us were wrong to some degree." "A car with air conditioning was something your friend's cousin's friend rode in once. Now, it's inconceivable for a car not to have it.""More recently, backup cameras were super fancy when they came out, and I learned not that long ago that they've been a safety requirement in the US for a while now." "We used to rent a VCR from Blockbuster for the weekend once or twice a month. We didn’t get one for the house until I was almost in high school, and it was a HUGE deal for my family. I haven’t used a VHS tape in probably 25+ years at this point."at the same house when it aired because it was the only house with a color TV for a while."several times on our black and white TV, never knowing about the color part of the movie. When we finally got a color TV, and I saw that part of the movie, it was mind-blowing!""My husband had one of the first car phones. It was the size of a small gym bag. Heck, just a cellphone was a big deal. I remember calling someone to tell them I was in a grocery store just because I could. They were miraculous.""Similarly, having more than one phone line. A rich friend of mine in middle school had her OWN phone number, separate from her parents. And a phone in her room. Height of luxury.""Ooooh, I still have a 3 CD player! So fancy! The NOISE when the discs are changing! A contractor went to install a new fiber-optic connection and said, 'But this router will not work after!' Kid, that's not a router! It's a 3 CD PLAYER!" "If you're looking for the single best example of a luxury that turned into a basic necessity, it's high-speed internet. In the '90s and early 2000s, having a fast connection was an expensive perk for tech-savvy families. Most people were still tying up the phone line with dial-up. Today, high-speed internet is treated like a utility, as essential as electricity or water for school, work, and banking. Would you like to see how the average cost of home internet has changed compared to its speed over the last 20 years?" "A microwave. They used to be really expensive and pretty big. I felt very fancy when my parents brought one home in the '80s. Now, they're in nearly every kitchen." "Flying. I remember in the '70s that flying was mostly for business people and the wealthy. At the airport, everyone was dressed nicely, and there was an exclusive atmosphere."Are there other middle-class luxuries from your childhood that are now considered a basic necessity or completely obsolete? Tell us what they are either in the comments or in the anonymous form below:
Technology Generational Differences Consumerism Internet Digital Divide
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mercedes to Replace EQE with New Electric Sedan Based on E-ClassMercedes-Benz is discontinuing the EQE sedan, replacing it with a new electric vehicle that will resemble the current E-Class design language. This new EV, expected to feature a 94 kWh battery and dual motors, will incorporate EQ technology and design cues, potentially including an illuminated grille and unique lighting.
Read more »
STARTRADER announced as official partner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle EastSTARTRADER, a leading global online trading provider, has been announced as an official partner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, the region's most prestigious single-marque motorsport series.
Read more »
17 Middle-Class Luxuries From Your Childhood'Having a full set in the living room meant you were 'rich' and 'smart.''
Read more »
Grading Nebraska’s Transfer Portal Class with Brian ChristophersonA position-by-position breakdown of the Huskers' 2026 portal class.
Read more »
US carrier strike group is now in the Middle East region, sources sayThe USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is now in the Indian Ocean, putting it closer to assist in any potential US operations targeting Iran, two sources told CNN.
Read more »
District 3 boys wrestling: First rounds of Class 2A and Class 3A tourneys start TuesdayThe Class 2A tournament was scheduled to begin Monday, but inclement weather forced a one day postponement.
Read more »