When we were growing up, we had black-and-white television, three channels if we were lucky, and no remote control. Now we carry tiny computers in our pockets, and we can watch almost anything on demand.
Some of these changes are brilliant, others… well, they make you wonder whether we’ve lost something along the way.
In today’s episode, we’re going to explore how life isn’t quite the same as it used to be — what’s better, what’s worse, and what it all means for how we live now.
This week’s episode is sponsored by italki.com. Follow the link below, sign up for free and book your first class.
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Voice message from Maria who has just passed C2 level exam!
We’re getting on a bit! (We’re no spring chickens!)
Things are not the same as they used to be
Some expressions for talking about the past
Back in the day
Way back when
In my day
Back then
In the (good) old days
In those days
We used to…+ ACTION/STATE
We would…+ ACTION
When we were young
When I was a (young) lad/lass
A long time ago
In one’s heyday
In one’s prime
“(Ah,) those were the days!”
“They don’t make them like that anymore!”
What are the pros and cons of the following? Is life today better or worse than it was 50 years ago?
Encyclopedias and paper dictionaries vs search engines and AI.
Children playing outdoors vs indoor screen time
Writing letters vs instant messaging
Maps vs sat-nav
Cash vs digital payments
Cooking from scratch vs ready meals and food delivery apps
Film photography vs digital cameras
Record collections vs music streaming
Delayed gratification vs instant gratification
Shopping on the high street vs online shopping
Face-to-face socialising vs social media
Jobs for life vs flexible careers
Substance vs image
Conclusion
Based on our discussion and opinions, is life today better or worse than it was 30 years ago/50 years ago/100 years ago?
Do countries/ideas/social movements/fashions have a “golden age”?
Do you think modern conveniences have made life better or simply more complicated?
Is history cyclical?
…and now it’s your turn to practise your English. Do you agree with us or do you have a different view? If you were born into a digital world, would you like to have grown up in an analogue one like we did?
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Á. Reina
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Yolanda
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In next week’s episode: New words that have recently become common in English
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The music in this podcast is by Pitx. The track is called ‘See You Later’