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The nostalgia of growing up in a different era can make us feel older, especially when looking back on memories such as going to the family computer room to play video games or log onto AOL Instant Messenger. Redditor u/Subject_Thorn sparked a discussion on the r/AskReddit community about things that kids in the 2020s will never experience, prompting older adults to share their thoughts and memories. Some of these included waiting for a new episode of a show to start, racing to answer the phone at home, and the struggle of downloading a song for hours only to find out it was a virus.

Other nostalgic memories shared in the discussion included waking up early on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons, calling a crush’s house and nervously asking to speak with them, and recording favorite songs from the radio onto cassette tapes. Additionally, reminiscences about driving to new places with physical maps, going to movie stores like Blockbuster, and watching the nightly news as a family on a single TV were also shared. The struggles of dial-up internet, dealing with parental controls on gaming consoles, and the joy of being responsible for zero parental contact were also highlighted.

Participants in the discussion also recalled the challenges of buying video games without the need for updates or additional content purchases, adjusting TV antennas for better reception, and meeting family members at the gate in airports rather than at baggage claim. Other memories included trying to avoid smoke in restaurants, engaging in outdoor exploration with friends, and the frustration of developing a roll of film only to find all the pictures were bad. The nostalgia of snow on Christmas and the experience of having a CD binder filled with music for road trips were also mentioned as things kids today may never experience.

The discussion highlighted the impact of technology on communication, entertainment, and daily life, as well as the simpler joys of childhood that may be lost in today’s fast-paced, digitized world. From the anticipation of waiting for a show to start to the satisfaction of fixing an old TV antenna, these memories serve as a reminder of a time when life was slower, simpler, and filled with unique experiences that shaped who we are today. While technology continues to advance, and society evolves, these shared memories offer a glimpse into a bygone era that will always hold a special place in our hearts.

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