Yesterday, was today’s inspiration

Southern Albertans, if you grew up during the 1970s and graduated from high school in the late 1980s, you might remember things being a bit more simpler and not so over-saturated. Nostalgia often lends itself nicely to trying to put things in perspective — life-wise.
Technology then was primitive at best with Atari and Intellivision video game systems all the rage. Cellphones and Smartphones were yet to become an integral part of most southern Albertans’ lives. Today, X-Box One and PS4 gaming systems dominate the market, as well as the iPhone 6 and even Smartwatches. Before communication became anywhere and everywhere, landline phones were popular ways of reaching out and touching someone.
During the 1970s and 1980s — “Star Wars,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Superman” with Christopher Reeve, and “E.T.” — were original blockbuster hits at theatres across the nation. The boob tube featured Saturday morning cartoons, after school specials, holiday favourites and “Sanford and Son,” “B.J. and the Bear,” and “Miami Vice.”
In 2015, many movies have more bang than bucks, such as “The Interview” — a movie which had Hollywood on the international news stage with North Korea threatening retribution if the movie was released to the masses. Of course, “Star Wars” and “Superman” are still raking in the dough at the box office but “The Hunger Games” and “Hobbit” franchises are today’s Steven Spielberg-like spectaculars.
Back in the day, KISS was one of the hottest bands in the land, today Foo Fighters and Alberta’s very own Nickelback can be heard on radios across the country.
Pop culture expos and geekdom is growing exponentially but before the comic-inspired boom as of late, comic books and superheroes were once considered geeky and was kept under wraps. Entertainment has come a long way but it has also digressed, in certain circumstances.
Drive-ins were once a mecca for teens, as they piled into cars to check out the latest and greatest celluloid classics on the big screen under the stars. Today, teens head to multi-plexes and spend a paycheque for admission and snacks, or though it seems. Or, mostly teens download or stream movies online to their heart’s content — either legally or illegally.
Embrace today’s technology with somewhat open arms and remember yesterday’s innovations.

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