https://www.axios.com/2024/01/05/pre-internet-pay-phones-digital-online-cellphones-vintage-nostalgia

  • JoeByeThen [he/him, they/them]
    ·
    10 months ago

    Cell phones didn't become commonplace until I was in my teens. Before that, we were free! If someone didn't show up when they were supposed to and they didn't answer their home phone we just assumed they were dead and then moved on with our lives. If your car broke down, you sat on the side of the road with your sunshade inside-out and it had a message that asked people to call for help. Presidential Shootings were much more common place. Shoplifting was way easier because there were so few cameras. MTV played music videos!

    • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
      ·
      edit-2
      10 months ago

      Shoplifting is actually easier now cause most stores don't want the liability that comes with physically apprehending shoplifters. Most of them still have "Loss Prevention" but they don't have cuffs anymore and aren't supposed to touch you. And local PD usually doesn't care enough to investigate someone who they don't have in custody when they call.

      • JoeByeThen [he/him, they/them]
        ·
        edit-2
        10 months ago

        Lol, I think it may depend on where you live. Most loss prevention departments that i'm aware of spend their time building a case so that the cops can pick you up when you're ready to leave the store. And that's if you're lucky enough to not get shot by some chud that thinks they're sheriff of their store.