I don't know which world is better....

the one then or the one now... but I do know that 'then', (for me, certainly not for others), "my world" was FAR more friendly then than it is now. Just one example:

We had a big shop on our farm. Inside was a 7-Up and a Coke machine with the 'coin' mechanism removed... it was free. A large jukebox nearby. Once a month a 'shop party' was held with perhaps 50 people or so, (neighbors), in attendance. Some parties were "Square Dancing"... other nights that all new and radical rock and roll stuff. Not rarely a scuffle would break out which always ended in a handshake, pat on the back, and no bad feelings by night's end. As a kid my job, and the kids my age, was annoy the hell out of the square dancers.... running in and out of their square dance until one of the Dad's, might be mine or any other in attendance, had enough of our @#$# and would put an end to it.... to the applause of ALL the adults. - JamesJM