purplerabbits

This link (https://www.gwern.net/Improvements) is a great list of things that have improved since the 80s. Not all of them are universal, and some have knock on effects that are bad for other people or the planet (the clothing one is especially bad, and I would not have included it in that form), but a lot are unquestionably good and I'm sure there are more.

I am a good bit older than Gwern, and can remember most of the 70s. Also I live in the UK which makes a difference. So here is a list of small things that have improved during my lifetime in addition to Gwern’s list:-

Beds: Duvets rather than itchy blankets are now the norm, and anti allergen mattress toppers exist. Memory foam is also great for a lot of things, although it can make beds too warm for me.

Ambient temperature: in Scotland I don't have to worry about air conditioning, but central heating and double glazing are now a lot more common (though not universal) and I have a flat at a temperature I like all year round.

Bathing: As Gwern says, hot water on demand is awesome. In addition to that most houses and flats now come with showers, at least over the bath, and you don’t need to buy a weird plastic shower thing to fit onto taps just so you can rinse your hair.

Photos for me started with Kodak Instamatic, but were only for holidays because of the price of film and developing. Never having to get films developed is great, and I can now afford to try to improve my photography.

Batteries: We need a lot fewer, but also there are rechargeable AA and AAA batteries that work and keep their charge for an impressively long time.

Plugs come fitted to things by default and you don’t have to know how to wire a plug.

Mobility aids: I didn't need them as a child, but I am grateful that folding walking sticks are now a thing, chairs with footrests that come up are reasonably common and rise and recline chairs, though expensive, are not beyond my means. (And I'm not talking about political and social improvements here, but can I get a Hell Yeah for disability rights, however imperfect.)

The kitchen:-

Material science for the win! Non-stick pans are now the norm, and silicone oven gloves are baking pans are a thing. I love my silicone spatula which Has Not Melted!

Coolwall kettles and toasters are so much better! And kettles in particular are no much faster that it barely makes sense to say "I'll put the kettle on."

Dishwashers are common and have reduced domestic arguments in many homes- I vividly remember when we got ours in the 80s, (sadly not long before I left for university and had to wash dishes again)

Washing machines leave clothes dryer than they did even when they are not a dryer as well (I have Views about combined washer driers, which may be outdated because I'm sure they've improved as well)

I also remember when we first got a freezer, which revolutionised our home (and inspired my parents to buy half a sheep, but that was before we could readily access a specialist frozen food shop, which was a thing once upon a time.

Instant foods: yes, I know that plastics are bad, and everyone should know how to cook, and so on, but I'm glad that we are way beyond Smash instant mash now. I remember when cup noodles began, and as a disabled peron I'm very glad they did (also that other companies are a lot better at it and some now come in cardboard not plastic)

Freeze dried coffee is so much better than the old powdered instant.

And in My Day™ we didn't even have microwaves at home! (This is how I learned to like cold coffee.)

Honestly there are too many things to list. Just looking around me I can see noise cancelling headphones, a robot hoover, a landline phone you can take off its base and carry round the house while you talk, a visa card with contactless payment so I don't need to write a cheque, a modern nail file that's not just a bit of steel with scratches in it, a touch on touch off lamp, a roll on deodorant, soft brush like felt tip pens and nitrogen filled binoculars which are lighter than my dad's old ones and haven't gone mouldy.

Yes, I really should tidy up, now I come to think of it :-) What are your great improvements?