Everyday life improvements since the 90s (2022)

Computers, Phones, and Device Economics

• 1990s PCs were expensive ($1–2k+), low-end models were “terrible,” and became obsolete within ~3 years; good laptops were several thousand dollars.
• Today, capable laptops and desktops last 5–10 years and can often be obtained cheaply or second-hand; SSDs are seen as a transformative upgrade.
• Debate over smartphones as the new “$1k computer”: some note shorter lifespans; others argue most people buy cheaper models and $1k now is far less in real terms than $1k in 1995.
• Mixed feelings on built‑in rechargeable batteries: far more convenient than 90s disposables, but concerns over fire risk and non-replaceability.

Connectivity, “Electronic Leash,” and Social Coordination

• Some miss the 70s–90s era of limited reachability, slower pace, and face‑to‑face coordination.
• Others tame smartphones via silent mode, minimal notifications, or a dedicated “on/off” phone.
• Coordinating kids’ activities: disagreement whether “play dates” were rare or common in the 80s/90s; consensus that flakiness has increased with easy last‑minute texting.

Household and Everyday Tech Improvements

• Frequently praised: microfiber cloths (but contested for microplastic pollution), filtered/ESL milk, frozen vegetables, SSDs, induction stoves, air fryers, pressure cookers, sous‑vide, and accurate food thermometers.
• Some note medical advances (cancer, cardiac care, HIV, laparoscopy) as truly life‑changing, more so than consumer gadgets.
• Others criticize ubiquitous HVAC, LEDs’ light quality, USB’s design and security, and power windows’ failure modes.

Media, Streaming, and Choice Overload

• Streaming is lauded for time‑shifting, no ads, and easy access to global back catalogs.
• Yet physical media’s scarcity sometimes made decisions easier; people now pre‑curate watchlists to avoid endless scrolling.

Social and Global Changes

• Strong appreciation for cheap or free international video calls and translation tools, enabling routine contact with distant family.
• Smoking bans in indoor spaces are viewed as a major quality‑of‑life improvement.
• Some argue the article underplays broader issues like power concentration, poverty reduction, and “enshittification” of consumer products.

Overall Attitudes

• Many see the list as a useful counterweight to online doom narratives.
• Others find it consumer‑tech‑centric, suburban/wealthy‑skewed, and missing tradeoffs; several call for a companion list of regressions since the 90s.