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I am always shocked by usage of “back then” and “good old days” and the like. What does it even mean Men were Men. Comparing the past that seemed harder than th

I am always shocked by usage of “back then” and “good old days” and the like. What does it even mean Men were Men. Comparing the past that seemed harder than the hardships of the present day is so one sided and a simpletons way of looking at things. People suffered back then. People suffer today. Rich suffer and poor suffer. Suffering is suffering doesn’t matter the source and if it makes sense or not. You may fall sick eating an apple or eating fish and ce could argue all day long which suffering was more justified but it still dosnt change the nature of suffering a sufferer undergoes. The still feel the suffering despite the source. Sorry for the digression but just had to make the point about men being men

ggm 3y ago
I don't think this is a new literary device really. Aristotle: "Young people have exalted notions, because they have not yet been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things." It is possible to read this in "back in my day, when togate were togate" ... Your point is well made, But I do rather think "simpleton" was uncalled for. It's a common trope. If you struggle with it, then you're struggling with a concept which is not uncommon, in fact is very common. Not all common things are for simpletons only. It makes no sense, more than any literary device does. "I am literally falling off my chair" is said much more than meant, because mostly people are figuratively falling off their chairs. Men are no more or less men now, than they were. The good old days were harsh. It was said as a rhetorical device. It wasn't said to hurt you, or to harm anyone.
- spondylosaurus 3y ago
  Per Douglas Adams: > In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri...
peepeepoopoo44 3y ago
Individual happiness in the United States was much higher by most objective measures. In the 1950s, crime was lower, inflation-adjusted income was higher, people got married and had kids.

ggm 3y ago

I don't think this is a new literary device really. Aristotle: "Young people have exalted notions, because they have not yet been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things." It is possible to read this in "back in my day, when togate were togate" ... Your point is well made, But I do rather think "simpleton" was uncalled for. It's a common trope. If you struggle with it, then you're struggling with a concept which is not uncommon, in fact is very common. Not all common things are for simpletons only. It makes no sense, more than any literary device does. "I am literally falling off my chair" is said much more than meant, because mostly people are figuratively falling off their chairs. Men are no more or less men now, than they were. The good old days were harsh. It was said as a rhetorical device. It wasn't said to hurt you, or to harm anyone.

spondylosaurus 3y ago
Per Douglas Adams: > In those days spirits were brave, the stakes were high, men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri...

peepeepoopoo44 3y ago

Individual happiness in the United States was much higher by most objective measures. In the 1950s, crime was lower, inflation-adjusted income was higher, people got married and had kids.